| 4745
THE ORIGIN OF THE NORTH-AMERICAN INDIAN.
A legend-Respectfully Dedicated to Lieut. F.H. HARDIE, 3rd Calvary U.S.A.
There is a legend 'mong the plumed race,
Which strange though be, their origins does trace
To days primeval, when the mighty plan,
With touch most wonderful was crowned with man,
With air oracular it has been told
By Chieftains, mature-wise, so very old,
Who, soleman sworn, as were their fathers too,
This wonderful tradition seal as true.
It was the season when the sighing breeze [bestrewed?] the ground with Autumn-painted leaves-
When Nature robed herself in rich array,
Her Vesture interwove with sad and gay.
The buffalo, the elk and fellow deer
In quiet grazed with naught in harm or fear,
For yet unborn the stealthy hunter fog.
Unwrought the murd'roose [flint?] and arched bow.
Sublimity and grandeur did pervade
The sun-tipped mountain-top and forest shade,
As silence, most profound, with thoughtful train.
The Universe spell-bound with magic chain.
Lo the Great Spirit gazed the scene upon
And saw perfection in all things but one,
There were the hills and daises, and seat and land,
And landscape everywhere supremely grand,
And fish and fowl and beast on mount and plain,
But who t' enjoy and ovee all to reign?
So from the border of a brooklet's way.
Lo, the Great Spirit took a piece of clay,
And with a touch and look both sad and sweet,
Did mould it into form must exquisite.
Then breathed. He on this thing symmetrical formed,
When lo, it into life and being warmed,
And in the presence of its Maker stood,
A female beauty-type of womanhood.
Night came the constellations bright
Shed o'er the earth their distant, twinkling light
And through their mellow consicated [whom?]
Cast pearly tears upon this beauty-queen,
Who, tired, reposed in quiet on the ground,
With senses wrapped in balmy sleep profound.
How passing lovely, how enchantiny 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 ecstacy?
And, as the story goes, this brilliant star
Which did outshine the other ones by far,
Imprinted fiery kiss, again, again,
Hefore she could her liberty regain.
The maid so courted by [..?] man-like flame,
Flushed deep, through native modicaly, not shame
These blushes everspread the virgin. Lo,
Were brazen by the Wooer's ardest glow,
And thus became [exhaused?] indelibly,
A sign 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-kai-pi (pronounced as if spelled To-kai.pai) is a word in the Teton dialogue of the Dakota or Sioux language, signifying [Arab-] born.
LATE MILITARY REFERENCES
During the last year much has been said relative to Copy, 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 likes their motives misconstrued? Who can possibly believe it incompatible with honor to go the even tenor of your inclinations, when none but the hypercritical can possibly find a flaw? If it is correct that "he who preaches the gospel must 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 his 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 justly considered as a 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. The aim of existence 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 continuous period of fifteen years, and desultory connection of thirty years, in the most troublous era of that superb corp's Western history, as Guide , Scout, and Chief of Scouts- a position unknown in any other service, and for the confidential nature of its services in the past, may be more fully appreciated when it is understood that it commanded, beside horses, subsistence, and quarters, $10 per day ($3,650 per year), all expenses, and for special service, or "life and death" volunteer missions, special rewards of from $100 to $500 for carrying a single dispatch, and brought its holder the confidence of Commanding Generals, the fraternal friendship of the Commissioned Officers, the idolization of the ranks, and the universal respect and consideration of the hardy pioneers and settlers | 4745
THE ORIGIN OF THE NORTH-AMERICAN INDIAN.
A legend-Respectfully Dedicated to Lieut. F.H. HARDIE, 3rd Calvary U.S.A.
There is a legend 'mong the plumed race,
Which strange though be, their origins does trace
To days primeval, when the mighty plan,
With touch most wonderful was crowned with man,
With air oracular it has been told
By Chieftains, mature-wise, so very old,
Who, soleman sworn, as were their fathers too,
This wonderful tradition seal as true.
It was the season when the sighing breeze [bestrewed?] the ground with Autumn-painted leaves-
When Nature robed herself in rich array,
Her Vesture interwove with sad and gay.
The buffalo, the elk and fellow deer
In quiet grazed with naught in harm or fear,
For yet unborn the stealthy hunter fog.
Unwrought the murd'roose [flint?] and arched bow.
Sublimity and grandeur did pervade
The sun-tipped mountain-top and forest shade,
As silence, most profound, with thoughtful train.
The Universe spell-bound with magic chain.
Lo the Great Spirit gazed the scene upon
And saw perfection in all things but one,
There were the hills and daises, and seat and land,
And landscape everywhere supremely grand,
And fish and fowl and beast on mount and plain,
But who t' enjoy and ovee all to reign?
So from the border of a brooklet's way.
Lo, the Great Spirit took a piece of clay,
And with a touch and look both sad and sweet,
Did mould it into form must exquisite.
Then breathed. He on this thing symmetrical formed,
When lo, it into life and being warmed,
And in the presence of its Maker stood,
A female beauty-type of womanhood.
Night came the constellations bright
Shed o'er the earth their distant, twinkling light
And through their mellow consicated [whom?]
Cast pearly tears upon this beauty-queen,
Who, tired, reposed in quiet on the ground,
With senses wrapped in balmy sleep profound.
How passing lovely, how enchantiny 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 ecstacy?
And, as the story goes, this brilliant star
Which did outshine the other ones by far,
Imprinted fiery kiss, again, again,
Hefore she could her liberty regain.
The maid so courted by [..?] man-like flame,
Flushed deep, through native modicaly, not shame
These blushes everspread the virgin. Lo,
Were brazen by the Wooer's ardest glow,
And thus became [exhaused?] indelibly,
A sign 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-kai-pi (pronounced as if spelled To-kai.pai) is a word in the Teton dialogue of the Dakota or Sioux language, signifying [Arab-] born.
LATE MILITARY REFERENCES
During the last year much has been said relative to Copy, 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 likes their motives misconstrued? Who can possibly believe it incompatible with honor to go the even tenor of your inclinations, when none but the hypercritical can possibly find a flaw? If it is correct that "he who preaches the gospel must 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 his 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 justly considered as a 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. The aim of existence 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 continuous period of fifteen years, and desultory connection of thirty years, in the most troublous era of that superb corp's Western history, as Guide , Scout, and Chief of Scouts- a position unknown in any other service, and for the confidential nature of its services in the past, may be more fully appreciated when it is understood that it commanded, beside horses, subsistence, and quarters, $10 per day ($3,650 per year), all expenses, and for special service, or "life and death" volunteer missions, special rewards of from $100 to $500 for carrying a single dispatch, and brought its holder the confidence of Commanding Generals, the fraternal friendship of the Commissioned Officers, the idolization of the ranks, and the universal respect and consideration of the hardy pioneers and settlers |
