Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-10-16
Alisfellal,eous.
tH5 V"'CdSt IssttfH 1t Bird
"WIOTA." !"
BY HARRY HAzELToH.


ed the lovely lakelets, or disturbed th
quiet wales of the red man, there existe,
a great and powerful nation. Never ha,
the Ottawas trembied while drawing tn
bow upon red enemy, nor had thei
hearts known fear as they contested thei
dearly loved hunting-grounds again tn,
approach of the Law invaders, but the,
were awed by the death dealing rife
that never failed in laying warrio,
bleeding at their feet-never to cheer
them on with his encouraging cry Of vic
tory, or to raise his tomahawk with them
in the great war of determination. Ave
many moons have cast their shadow o'er
tue Ottawas' council ground since Osh
au-kuta wore the great wampun belt
which declared him chief. The great
saehem was far from unhappy. He had
daughter lovely being, sweet as the
rose, and tender as the lilly. How truly
| twas said,
"Full many flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air."
But no. so with the dark eyed Wiota
for she had countless woores among her
own tribe, and farther still, many young
and powerful chieftain of rival nation
had bowed his head under the influence
of Cupid's dart, and beseeched the lovely
maid of the Ottawas to come and tighten
his wigwam with her smiles. But all
these suitors were rejected, because the
maiden preferred remaining with her faith
er, to cheer and comfort him in his de-
clining years. Besides she had often
expressed her determination never to
tarnish the proud blood of the Ottawas
by forming an alliance with rival ma
ton, for when she did give her heart in
to the keeping of husband it should be
warrior of her fathers tribe, and one of
of her own choice. This declaration had
excited the envy of the young Ot:awas-
they put forth every nerve to exceed the
other in deeds of manly daring, for they
knew that he who sought to win the daugh-
t-r of their chief must be brave and noble,
or he would not gain her.
1t was evening-tha close of calm
and lovely day in early Autumn. The
nightengale breathed forth his melanctoly
tones with more thrilling cadence tn, n
he was wont. There was more pathos
in the lively song of the ever busy mar
tin. The plover's shrill cry seemed more
dismal, while the gleeful chrp of the rob-
bin was gone The small murmuring
rivlet that by its merry song had afforded
pleasure to the Ottawa and his daughter,
rolled silent and sullen, upon its course
But all these omeHs were passed UNDECIDED
by the followers of the Osh au kuta, for
no coming event could darken the mild
splendor of setting sun, and amid the
beauty of this they saw nothing.
Osh-au- kuta sat alone. at the door of
his wigwam-his mind reverting to his
younges days. He was then strong aud
athletic. and could always lead his men to
victory-but now, age had stifened his
limbs, and rendered his good right arm
less powerful He saw that be must soon
resign his post, and he knew by their Gus
tom the man whom his daughter should
choose to wed, would be his successor
| for God had never blessed the noble Osh-
au kuta with a son-and he was calmly
considering who, among his many war
riors was worthy this double charge
But he suddenly hears footsteps approach
the entrance of his lodge, he listens, but
is not kept in waiting. Ere long the
doorway was darkened, and soon tall,
we'll formed warrior passed through. By
the first glimpse, the chieftain perceived
that it was not one of his Own men. The
visitor approached nearer, and as the
light fell upon his features, the Ottawa
recognized him as the chief of a ueighbor-
ing tribe Although the Ottawas had
never warred with the Algonquins, yet
thew had never been intimate, and as
Osh u-kuta considered Watanga his in
ferior personally, he had never honored
him with an invitation to his council fire.
Watanga moved towards the old chief
and removing his plume of wild bird
feathers, bowed gracefully. Osh u-kuta
presented the Algonquin with pipe, aud
inclining his head towards pack of de.
sired him to be seated.
The warrior complied. and as the thick
blue smoke curled gracefully upward, b.
arose to his feet and said -
.Osh -au kuta. We were ever friends
Among tbe many chiefs who have beer
envious to your power. and raised th'
tomahawk against you, there was on'
who never removed the Ratchet OF peac'
from where it was buried In the grane
councils of the many nations, there wa
one who withstood the anger of his broth
er sachems, and refused to assist them II