56

42

As they brooded over their wrongs, the scarcity of rations, and miserable treatment, imagine with what joy they hailed the coming of Him who was to save and rescue them. How they hoped and prayed, only to be deluded and again cast into the depths of depair! Even this last boon and comfort was refused by their conquerors; for no sooner had the news of the coming Saviour reached Washington when orders were issued to suppress the worship of any Indian who should dare 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 Legend--Respectfully dedicated to Lieut. F. H. HARDIE, 3rd Cavalry, U. S. A.

There is a legend 'mong the plumed race,
Which strange though it be, their origin 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, nature-wise, so very old,
Who, solemn sworn, as were their fathers too,
This wonderful tradition seal as true.

It was the season when the sighing breeze
bittersweet ground with Autumn painted leaves--
When Nature robed herself in rich array,
Her vesture intermove 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 pervade
the sun-tipped mountain-top and forever shade,
As silence, most profound, with thoughtful train,
The Universe spell bound with magic chain.

42

As they brooded over their wrongs, the scarcity of ratios, and miserable treatment, imagine with what joy they hailed the coming of Him who was to save and rescue them. How they hoped and prayed, only to be deluded and again cast into the depths of depair! Even this last boon and comfort was refused by their conquerors; for no sooner had the news of the coming Saviour reached Washington when orders were issued to suppress the worship of any Indian who should dare 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 Legend--Respectfully dedicated to Lieut. F. H. HARDIE, 3rd Cavalry, U. S. A.

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

It was the season when the sighing breeze
bittersweet ground with Autumn painted leaves--
When Nature robed herself in rich array,
Her vesture intermove 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.

[Sublimate?] and grandeur did pervade
the sun-tipped mountain-top and forever shade