Vacation

How hapily  (sic) those three weeks flew by! Every day with Cordelia I visited new a (nd?) delightful objects and scenes.  With the genial Rector Mr Mont Milin (sic) the French people called him Monilaw; I soon became familiar and found him a very kind and agreeable man. He it was who took on himself the care and guidance of our two selves in all our excursions.  With him we visited the wild within our reach in every direction often passing hours in the Indian lodges or strolling in company of the female papooses of our own age through their encampment while the Rector  tryed (sic) to teach a class of the Indians to read or talked to them of the Great Scripture of our Lord.

The little swaws soon became familiar with the pale faces or were jolly playfellows although we understood little of their chatter, but one a tall elegant princess, one I admired very much could speak a little English and wished to acquire more, condescended to join us often as we visited  the encampment and soon attracted our exclusive attention.

Winona was an Indian belle I suppose for some of the young braves came to her side often but she gave her attention so exclusively to the white squaws as they called us, that the tawny gallants soon left us.  Winona talked to us and asked the definition of what we said in so many ways and we tried so hard to teach her the meaning of our terms and phrase that the time flew by imperceptibly and our good rector was needy to go home before we ware (sic).  The good Dr. complimented us on our missionary efforts; told us that Winona/Winnenna was the only child of the Chief of the tribe, and almost worshipped by her people that the good visitors were trying to educate her.  She seems to care much about acquiring a knowledge of the English language but takes little interest in anything else they try to teach her said he in conclusion, I think she will be your schoolfellow and you can assist her much more effectually than the nuns who are French women.



My first introduction to the school might have been very trying but for the assistance of Cordelia,  She had attain (ed) a smattering of French, the nuns who were our teachers had a tolerable knowledge of English so I was soon acclimated.



My Note:

I would love to find out more on Winona!