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.

Lo, the Great Spirit gased the scene upon
And saw perfection in all things but one;
There were the hills and dales, and seas and land.
And landscapes everywhere supremely grand.
And fish and fowl, and beast on mount and plain.
But who t' enjoy and over 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 most exquisite.

Then breathed He on this thing symmetrically formed.
When lo, 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 coruscated sheen
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 enchanting she,
Pure, spotless as her own virginity,
Like "lily of the vale" or budding rose
Upon the patient-Earth, in sweet repose.

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.