Clara Colby was the Editor of the national feminist newspaper, The Women's Tribune. Before she ever laid eyes on her new adopted daughter, she described the tale - and Zintka herself! - to her readers. By the time she returned to Nebraska, her husband had left to Florida, in one of his many land-grabbing deals. Clara's sister, Dr. Mary White, helped raise Zintka during this time, and would stay near her throughout her life.

Zintka was sick early in her life. Most of this is due to the strange land she was placed in. White Man diseases were always around her, and she was very susceptible to these foreign sicknesses. She was given strange food and cow's milk, difficult for Native children to digest and tending to cause grave illnesses.

Mary White had four daughters, who all adored Zintka. They would dress her as a faerie princess as Clara, now back home, set type for her monthly newspaper.

Another woman entered Zintka's drama: Marie Miller, or Maud. Hired as Zintka's governess, Maud was of German descent and quite "rough around the edges." From Clara, Maud would learn the refined ways of the American White woman. From Colby, she learned more deceptive lessons.

In June 1891, Colby secured himself a position in the US Government: Assistant Attorney General of the US. He was a part of Benjamin Harrison's cabinet, one of the most corrupt administrations the country has ever seen. Colby pursued depredation claims, in which settlers, farmers, or Indians alike, sought money for damages due to settlement and war. Colby played both sides of the game, and was not picky where the money came from - as long as he and his cronies profited by the end of the day.

Thus began Zintka's early "career" in the spotlight. Imagine the Washington receptions of an under-cabinet member: Leonard Colby props his adopted daughter on high, posing as a Savior and Republican reformer. Zintka also draws attention to Clara's Women's Rights cause, even learning to pass out literature for her mother. She was indeed the attracting token that Colby had predicted.

A life on display was begun.