48

As they brooded over their wrongs, tho scarcity of rations, and misterable treatment, imagine with what joy they hailed the coming of Him who was to cavo and rescue them. How they hoped and prated, only to be deluded and again cast into the depths of despair ! Even thes last born and comfort was refused by their conquerors ; for no sooner had the news of the coming Saviour reached Washington when orders werof issued to suppress the worship of any Indian who should date to pray to his God after the dictates of his own conscience - or at least to stop the Ghost Dances.
-----------
THE ORIGIN OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN.
A Legned - Respectfully dedicated to Lieut. F. H. HARDIE, 3d Cavalry, U. S. A.

There is a legend 'mong the plumed rare,
Which Strange though it be, their origin does trace
To days primeval, when the mighty plan,
With touch most wonderful was cornered with man.

With air oracular it has been told,
By Cieftians, nature-wise, so very old,
Who, solemn sworn, as were their fathers too,
This wonderful tradition soal as true.

It was the season when the sighting breeze
Bestrewed the ground with Autum pointed leaves -
When Nature robed herself in rish array,
Her vesturo interwove with sad and gay.

The buffalo, the elk and fallow deer
In quiet grazed, with naught to harm or fear.
For yet unborn the stealthy hunter foe.
Unwrought the murd'rous flint and arched bow.

Sublimity and grandeur did porvade
The sun-tipped mountain-top and in

* * * * *
Night came; the constellations bright.
Shed o'er the earth their distant, twinkling light.
And through their mellow coruscated sheen
Cast pearly tears upon this beauty-queen
Who, tired, reposed in queit on the ground,
With senses wrapped in balmy sleep profound.

How passing lovely, how enchanting she,
Pure, spotless as her own virginity,
Like "lily of the vale" or budding rose
Upon the parent - Earth, in sweet repose.

In semblance of a star was one above,
Who, gazing on this beauty, fell in love,
For who, or which, or what such charms could see
And not be filled with love's own ectasy?

And, as the story goes, this brilliant star
Which did outshine the other ones by far,
Assuming manly form, rushed from above,
And clasped the maiden in the' embrace of love.

This flaming star, or sprite, or man, or what,
With fullest unreastrain and passions hot,
Imprinted fiery kiss, again, again,
Before she could her liberty regain.

The maid so courted by the man-like flame,
Blushed deep, through native modesty, not shame;
These blushes overspread the virgin, lo,
Were brazen by the wooer's ardent glow,
And thus became enstamped indelibly,
A signet royal of her modesty.

From her - to-Ka-pa* - that her cherished name,
The red man of the Western Prairies came.
G. C. C.
-----------

*to-ka-pa (pronouced as if spelled To-Kal-pah) is a word in the Teton dialogue of the Dakotah or Sioux language, signifying first born.

-----------

LATE MILITARY REFERENCES
During the past year much has been said relative to CODY, the Wild West, Indians, etc., of an uncalled for nature, and as "an open confession is good for the soul," we freely admit being annoyed. Who like their motives misconstrued? Who can possibly believe it incompatible with honor to go the even tenor of his inclinations, when non but hte hypercritical can possibly find a flaw? If it is correct that "he who preaches the Gospel must live by the Gospel," most certainly must he who has never held an interest in a Goloconda live by that line of enterprise he finds most compatible to embark in, if it be within the bounds of law, order and morality. Therefore it is that this compilation is rendered necessarily pointedly personal in eulogistic extracts as a cross-counter, when a more modest presentation of the Wild West's status would be justily considered as meeting the requirements. But many noted instances occur to the writer where the purpose would have been best served by the plain statement of facts. Tho aim of exsistence is to achieve happiness, and nine-tenths of mankind would be happy if the other tenth would attend to their own business, or seek information before exploding. To explain a mooted question ! GENERAL CODY holds his commission in the NATIONAL GUARD of the United States (State of Nebraska), an honorable position, and as high as he can possibly attain. His connection with the Regular United States Army has covered a continuous period of fifteen years, and desultory connection of thirty years, in teh most troublous era of that superb corps' Western history, as Guide, Scout and Chief of Scouts - a position unknown in any other service, and for the confidential nature of which see General