East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-03-22

THE LOST DAUGHTER.
AN oDJIBwA TALE.

From Indian Tales, aud Legends" by Henry Il,
s,hoolcraftl
Leelinau was the favorrte daughter of
an able hunter who lived near the base OF
the lofty highlands called Kaug Wudjoo,
on the shore of Lake Superior. From
her earliest youth she was observed to be
pensive and timid, and to spend much Of
her time in solitude and fasting. When
ever she could leave her fathers lodge
she would fly to remote haunts and re-
cesses in the woods, or ST. upon some
high promontory Of rock o. Rocking the
lake. Ia such places she was supposed
to invoke her guardian spirit. But amid
all the sylvan haunts, 50 numerous IN q
highly picturesque section of country,
none had so great attractions for her
mind as a forest Of pines, on the open
shore, called Manitowak, or the Sacred
| Grove. 1t was one Of those consecrated
places which are supposed to be the resi-
dence of the PUK WUDJ IYINEE, or little
wild men Of the woods, and MrsHEN IMo-
KISAKoG, or turtlc-spirits, two classes Of
minor spirits or fairies who love romantic
scenes. Owing to this notion, it was
seldom visited by Indians, who attribute
to these imaginary beings a mischieyous
agency. And whenever they were COM
PEELED by stress Of weather to make a
landing on this part Of the coast, they
never failed to leave al Offering OF to-
bacco, or some other article.
To this fearful spot Leelinau had made
her way at an early age, gathering strange
flowers or plants, which she would bring
home to her parents, AMI relate to them
all the little incidents that had occurred
in her ramblcs, Although they discoun-
tenanced her visits to the place, they
were unable to restrain them, for they
did not wish to lay any violent commands
upon her. Her attachment to the spot,
therefore, increased with her age. If she
wished to propitiate her spirits to procure
pleasant dreams, or any other favor, she
repaired to the Manitowok. If her father
remained ont later than usual, and il was
feared he had been overwhelmed by the
tempest, or met with some other accident,
she offered up her prayers ut the Manito-
wol1. 1t was there that she tasted, sup
plicatcd, and strollod. And she spent 50
much Of her time there, that her parents
began to suspect some bad spirit had en-
ticed her to its haunts, and thrown
charm around her which she was unable
to resist. This conjecture was confirmed
by her mother (who had secretly followed
herr overhearing her repeat sentiments
Ike these.
Spirit OF thc dancing leaves
Hear throtbng heart that gricvos,
Not f3r joys ths world can giyo,
But the lfo that spirits iiyoi
Spirit os the foaming bi.low,
Visit thou ny nightly pillow,
Shedding Per it silver dreams,
Of the mountain brooks and streams,
Sunny giados, and golden hours,
Such as suit thy bGoyant powors'
Spirit Of the starry night,
Pencil on. thy leccy light,
That my footprints still may lead
To the busL-lct Miscodcol, -
Or the nower to passion tTuo
Yielding free is carmno huO;
Spirit Of tho morning dawn,
Wnft thy hooey columns en-
Snowy white or tender blue
Such as brave men love 10 view
Spirit Of the green wood plume
Shed around thy leaf perfume
Such as spring from buds Of gold
Which tIy tiny hands unfold.
Spirits hither quick repair,
Hear a maidens evening prayer.
The effect Of these visits was to rcn-
der the daughter dissatisfied with the re-
alities of life, and to disqualfy her for an
active and useful participation in its dn-
ties. She became melancholy aad tacit-
urn. She had permitted her mind to
dwell so much on imaginary scenes, that
she at last took them for realities, and
sighed for an existence inconsistent with
the accidents Of mortality. The conse-
quence was disrelish for all the ordinary
sources Of amusement and employment,
which engaged her equals in years.
When the girls of the neighboring lodges
assembled to play at the favorito game Of
pappus-e-kowaun,' before the lodge door,
Leelinau would sit vacantly by, or enter
so feebly into tho spirit of the play, as to
show plainly that it was irksome 70 her.
Again, in the evening, when the youths
and girls formed a social ring around the
lodge, AMI the piepeendjigunf passed
rapidly from hand to hand, she either
handed it along without attempting to
play, or if she played, it was with no, ef
fort to swell her count. Her parents
saw that she was q prey to somc secret
power, and attempted to divert her III
every way they could. They favored the
attentions paid to her by man much her
senior in years, but who had the reputa-
ton of great activity, and was the eldest
son Of a neighboring chief. But she
could not he persuaded TO listen to the
proposal. Supposing her aversion merely
the result Of natural tmidity, her objec-
tions were not deemed of a serious char
acter; and in a state of society where
matches are left very much in tue hands
of the parents, they proceeded to make
the customary arrangements for the
union. The young man was informed,
through his parents, that his offer had
been iavorably received. The day was
fixed for the marriage visit TO the lodge,
and the persons who were to be present