that she might be the object of his choice.  Still he hesitated, and although he tried many experiments yet they so nearly equaled each other in cleverness and beauty that he was still undecided.  However, there was a great difference in their dispositions.  While one was proud and jealous, and had a very bitter tongue, the other was just the opposite; while one was very selfish, the other was generous and kind-hearted.  But Wakontas was not able to find this out at first, and after he had considered various plans he decided that he would put on one of his many disguises and thus try them.

“So he started off as though going on a hunting expedition, but soon after he was out of sight he quickly assumed the form of a poor and aged Indian, and came to the home of these two beautiful sisters, and asked for assistance.  Wakontas chose a time when he knew the rest of the family were away from the wigwam, in order that he might see how the two sisters would act toward him.

“When he walked into the wigwam, for nobody ever knocks at an Indian tent, the maidens were a little startled at thus suddenly seeing this rough-looking old beggar-man in their midst.  The selfish, proud girl, whose name was Misticoosis, at once began assailing him, and cried, ’Auwasta kena!’ (Get out; go away, you!)

“In vain he pleaded that he was aged and hungry.  She would not listen to him.

“Omemee, the other young Indian maiden, who had not said a word, but had been pitying him from the first moment she saw how feeble and sad he looked, now interfered, and remonstrated with her sister, whose tongue kept up a constant stream of abuse.  Taking the old man to her side of the wigwam she seated him on a rug of deerskins and then built up before him a bright fire.  Then she quickly brought in venison, cooked it nicely, and gave him the broth for drink and the meat for food.  He thanked her gratefully, but she checked his words and said that her greatest joy was in making others happy.  Not satisfied with what she had done, and noticing that his shoes were old and worn, she took out of her beaded workbag a pair of splendidly worked moccasins, and put them on his feet.

“All this time, while this good-hearted, generous Omemee was treating the poor old man so kindly, the proud, selfish Misticoosis was talking as hard and as fast as she could against such deeds of kindness to all old people.  In her opinion, when they had got so old and helpless as that old fellow was, they ought to be killed by their relatives.

“The old man again expressed his thanks to the kind sister, and then went his way.

“Soon the girls began to think of arraying themselves for the return of their friend and lover.  The proud, selfish Misticoosis spent all the time in fixing herself up in the most elaborate manner.  She had lately become quite jealous of her sister, and she was resolved to so outshine her in appearance that the handsome young hunter would surely prefer her.  But Omemee (a name which means a dove) thought to herself: