True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-04-28
MISCELLANY.
The White Stone Canoe.

There was once very beautiful young
girl, who died suddenly on the day she
was to have been married to handsome
young man. He was also brave, but his
heart was not proof against this loss
From the hour she was buried there was
no more joy or peace for him. He wen,
often to visit the spot where the women
had buried her, and sat musiug there,
when it was thought by some Of bis friends
he would have done better to try to amuse
himself in The chase, or by diverting his
thoughts in the war path. But war and
hunting had both lost their charms for him.
His heart was already dead within him.
He pushed aside both his war club and
his bow and arrows. -
He had heard the old people say that
there was path that led 10 the land Of
souls, and he determined 10 follow it,
Accordingly he set out, one morning, after
having completed his preparations for the
journey. At first he hardly knew which
way togo. He was only guided by the
tradition that he must go south. For a
while he did not notice any great change
in the face Of the country. Forests, and
hills, and valleys, and streams, had the
same look which they wore in his native
place. There was snow on the ground
when he sat out, and it was sometimes
seen to be piled and matted on the trees
aud bushes. At length it began to
diminish, and finally disappeared. The
forest assumed more cheerful appear
and, and the leaves put forth their buds,
and before he became aware Of the COM
pleteness OF the change, he found himself
surrounded by spring. He had left
behind him the land of snow and ice.-
The air became mild the dark clouds Of
winter had rolled away from the sky, a
pure field Of blue was above him; and,
as he went, he saw flowers upon his path,
and heard the songs Of birds. BY these
signs he knew he was going the right
way, for they agreed with the traditions
of his tribe. A: length he spied path
it led him through agrove, then up long
and elevated ridge, on the very top Of
which he came to a lodge. At the door
stood an old man. with white hair, whose
eyes though deeply sunk, had fiery
brillancy. He had long robe Of skins
thrown loosely around his shoulders, and
a staff in his hands. 1t was ,Chebiabos.
The young Chippewa began to tell his
story, but the venerable chief arrested
him before he had proceeded to speak Ter
words. "I have expected you," he said
"and had just risen to bid you welcome
to my abode. She whom ye seek passed
here but few days since, and, being
fatigued with her journey, rested hersel
here. Enter my lodge and be seated
and | will then satisfy your inquiries. anc
give you directions for your journey from
this point" Having done this, they
issued forth to the lodge door. "Yol
see yonder gulf" said he, "and the wide
stretching blue plains beyond it is tn,
land Of souls. You stand upon its bord
ers, and my lodge is The gate OF entrance
but you cannot take your body along
Leave it here with your bow and you
arrows, your bundle and your dog. Yol
will find them safe on your return" s.
saying he re-entered the lodge, and tn
freed traveller bounded forward as il hi
feet had suddenly been endowed with th
u . 70,
power Of wings. But all things retaine
their natural colors and shapes. Th'
woods and leaves. and streams and lakes
were only more bright and comely tha
} he had ever witnessed. Animals bounde
across his path with freedom and cor
fidenco which seemed. to tell him ther
: was no bloodshed here. Birds of bsaut
ful plumage inhabited the groves, an
sported in the waters. There was bu
, one thing in which he saw very unusut
: effect; he noticed that Ihis passage wa
Ese5 8,Y Y ..5a1a0qya a l,oaia1