 | The collected works of Ambrose Bierce |  |
320
Severalty, n.
[_]
Separateness, as, lands in severalty, i. e., lands held individually, not in joint ownership. Certain tribes of Indians are believed now to be sufficiently civilized to have in severalty the lands that they have hitherto held as tribal organizations, and could not sell to the Whites for waxen beads and potato whiskey.
[Lo! the poor Indian whose unsuited mind]
Lo! the poor Indian whose unsuited mindSaw death before, hell and the grave behind;
Whom thrifty settlers ne'er besought to stay—
His small belongings their appointed prey;
Whom Dispossession, with alluring wile,
Persuaded elsewhere every little while!
His fire unquenched and his undying worm
By “land in severalty” (charming term!)
Are cooled and killed, respectively, at last,
And he to his new holding anchored fast!
| The collected works of Ambrose Bierce | |