Ashley and Josh started looking in the row of books that Mrs. Daniels had reluctantly pointed them toward.
After looking at the reference numbers on the books, Ashley said, “I think I’ve found it, Josh.” She pulled a book about Native Americans down from the shelf and brought it over to a table. She looked up the Penobscot Indians in the Table of Contents and turned to the section.
“Josh,” she said excitedly. “This could be it! Penobscot means ‘the place where the rocks open out.’ That could mean part of Donnybrook. It says that the tribe are the original residents of Maine.”
“That’s cool,” said Josh. “Are there any members of the tribe left today?”
“Yes,” said Ashley as she continued to read. “It says tribe members still live on a reservation on Indian Island. It says that they were known for making birchbark canoes and lived in birchbark wigwams.”
“What’s birchbark?” asked Josh.
“Duh,” answered Ashley. “I’m thinking that it’s the bark of birch trees?”
“Oh,” said Josh as his face reddened. “I guess that makes sense!”
Ashley continued reading and then said, “Wow. They even have a baseball connection!”
“Baseball?” questioned Josh.
“Yes,” answered Ashley. “The first American Indian baseball player was Louis Sockalexis who was a Penobscot. He played for the Cleveland Spiders in 1897.”
“That’s cool,” said Josh. “Is that the team that became the Cleveland Indians?”
“You bet,” said Ashley. “It says here that even though he was a strong player, he was not treated fairly by his teammates and other teams. He only played for a short while.”
“That’s too bad,” said Josh.
“I agree,” said Ashley. “This was way before Jackie Robinson broke down racial barriers in baseball. I guess Louis had a rough time.”
“Do you think they became the Cleveland Indians because of him?” Josh asked.
“I don’t know,” said Ashley. “It says here that some people think that the Indian’s cartoon mascot is a tribute to Louis Sockalexis. His family and the Penobscot nation disagree with that thought. They believe that the mascot is racist and insulting and does not represent Louis.”
“Hmm,” said Josh thoughtfully. “Who knew we had Indians in Donnybrook?”
“I know!” said Ashley. “That’s so cool to think about a tribe that lived in Donnybrook before anyone else was here. It says here that the tribe members were great storytellers.”
“You like telling stories, Ashes,” said Josh. “Maybe you have a little Penobscot in you?”
Ashley laughed and said, “I doubt that. My ancestors came from Ireland. The Irish are also known for storytelling!”
Josh said, “Hey, Ashes. We’d better get going. My mom said I had to straighten up my room or she’d kick me out of the house!”
Ashley laughed again and said, “That sounds serious! Why does your room get messy?”
“Not messy,” Josh huffed. “Just untidy.”
“What’s the difference?” asked Ashley.
“Messy is dirty,” Josh explained. “Untidy just means that things aren’t put away.”
“So,” said Ashley. “Why aren’t things put away?”
“Well,” said Josh. “I just get so involved working on my comic books that I just don’t have the time to put everything away.”
“What are you working on now?” asked Ashley. Josh was a talented artist who drew comic books featuring superheroes.
“It’s the adventures of Joe Starbuster,” said Josh. “He’s an astronomer who travels to other galaxies and meets alien races.”
“Sounds cool,” said Ashley. She hid her smile as she realized that, once again, Josh’s superhero had the same initials as he did: J.S. “Come on, let’s go.” Ashley returned the book to the proper shelf.
She and Josh said goodbye to Mrs. Daniels as they walked past her desk. Mrs. Daniels didn’t even look up from the book in front of her and just gave a little wave.
“I hate it when Kathleen’s not here,” whispered Josh.
“I know,” Ashley whispered. “Me, too. But, Kathleen does deserve a day off!” They went outside, put on their bicycle helmets and got on their bicycles for the ride home.
