Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-01-08
CHAPTER III.
So fades the lovely blooming flower"

$50 fades the lovely blooming dower.''
Tekeinosh, as the whites settled around
him and subdued and cultivated the earth,
gained little knowledge of agriculture. He
had left his cavernous home, and erected a
rude hut on slight eminence about half
mile from his former abode, and on the
banks of the little stream. Here he had
small garden in which he tried his skill in
cultivaiing vegetables, and lnneez hers in
cultivating flowers, wherewith to deck her
hair.
1t was the month of May. Every thing
animate seemed to be rejoicing in the re-
newed life spring always brings. The tow
ering birch and maple forests were in full
leaf, and myriads Of bright flowers were
springing up, and the whole face of nature
would seem TO give assurance of prolonged
life, rather than decay and death.
1t was sunset, too; but the splendor with
which that light-giving orb sunk in the west,
seemed more like "a grand contrivance for
Withdrawing the light Of day, and bringing
darkness over the face of the world, that
weary mortals might seek rest and repose,
than type of the extingnishmcnt of the light
of life, and the succeeding long night of the
grave.
Tekemosh returned from his hunt in the
forest, weary and faint. After laying away
his bow and arrows, his first inquiry was for
Inueez. She who had always been ready to
bound away and meet him, and prepare his
evening meal, was, for once, absent; but her
favorite retreat was well known, and he was
soon on the path beaten by her feet; as he
pursued around the point of hill, he dis
covered her seated on the banks of the little
brook, where the waters were spread out into
a small CLASSY lake, her head resting on her
hands, lost in reverie. Her father seating
himself by her side, was the first intimation
she had of his presence. lnneez raised her
face, the sparkle Of her eye was gone, and
the expression of that countenance, which
before had been sunshine, was subdued and
melancholy.
"What ails my daughter, Have any of
the pale faces injured ber-let her speak,
and Tekemosh's best arrow shall drink their
hearts bloodi"
"Oh, no, mol my father they have ever
been kind to me; have warmed myself by
the fires of their wigwams, ! have eaten
bread at their tabe--they have never hurt
Inneezl''
ais she sick, She used to run to meet
me, TO take my bow, to get my supper and
to sing me her songs-now she is here alone,
she does not laugh nor sing her songs" aud
the fire that moment before flashed IN his
eve was gone, and tear stole down his
cheek.
Father" said Inneez, " have you not
told me that we are the children of the Great
Spirit, and that when we die we shall go to
the place prepared for as, where we shall
meet those who have gone before us!"
ayes, Inneez; we are the children Of the
Great Spirit. He loves us, and when we die
we shall 90 TO the far off hunting grounds
shall die soon-lnneez and Ou-al-lah must
bury me here by the side Of my fathers
"But, father, it may be / shall die first
when the flowers fade and fall, then lnneez
will die"
Inneez is young-she viii see the flow
ers spring and bloom and die many times
Tekemosh is old-his head is white, be will
20 to his fathers, Ou-al-lah and Inneez must
bury him in their graves"
Father" said Inneez, in that low musi-
cal tone peculiar TO her race, " Father, J had
dream last night. thought ] followed this
brook along down It's banks, I'LL J came to
where there were a great many beautiful
flowers. As ! was weaving them together
10 pun into my hair, there came to me TWO
women dressed with bright garments; they
looked kindly and smiling on me, and they
had IN their hands sweet flowers and npe
fruits. knew they we're from the Spirit
Land. They did not speak TO NE, but they
looked 50 pleasantly that when they beck
oned me 10 follow them, could not refuse.