The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-09-22
WHITE ROSE OF THE PRAIRIE.
An Indian I.cgcn d OF Kansas.

1
sas. Many years ago, upon an almost
limitless sea of wayy green, lived aud
roved the numerous tribe of Miami.
What is now known as the Miami
country, was then the choice hunting
ground of that tribe. Then the eld,
the deer and antelope skipped lightly
over the flowery mead, and wolves in
long packs made night hideous with
their yellings.
| Oftentimes in those days, where
the beautiful towns of Paola and Os-
sawotomie now stand, could be seen
the stalwart form of Monogeken,
their chief, his eagle feather nodding
in the breeze, as he and his followers
in all their grim glory sent their un-
erring arrows whizzing over the gras-
sy plain.
The camp of Monogeken and his
choice warriors was situated upon the
banks of the beautiful stream known
as the Marai des Cygnes.. Here, in
their leizure hours, these red children
Of the forest luxuriated amid the
shade of the cottonwood and syca-
mores. The happy birds sang sweet
ly overhead among the branches while
graceful canoes shot over the chrystal
waters, or while Wenona, the white
rose, rambled in search of flowers
But she was the tairest flower among
them, this beautiful creature, her long
golden hair floating in the sunlight,
and her glorious eye of melting blue,
drinking III the beauties around her.
She had been captured some three
or four years previous while yet but
twelve years old, and now in her daz-
zling lovliness, presented strange
contrast to her dusky friends around
her. She was treated with marked
respect and looked upon with q kind
of superstitious favor, for she had
been captured under peculiar circum.
stances, and then, besides all this, it
was generally understood among
them, that she was, after the lapse of a
certain space of time TO become the
bride Of the chief, the stalwart Mon
ogeken.
1t was a lovely night in Indian sum
mer. The moonlight slept on the
placid waters of the Maria des Cyg-
mes, and a solitary whipporwill sent
forth its dismal nocturn, Amid n
clump of sycamores, whose ghostly
white arms were stretched over them,
these brave warriors were collected
around their camp fire. Each one sat
perfectly quiet as if indulging in the
deep reyery, as was their custom,
when suddenly the dead silence was
broken by football and a single
horscman appeared like phantom be-
fore them. He offered no greeting,
but as silent as the group before him,
slipped from his powerful black char
ger, and threw himself on the ground
among them. His buckskin suit,
trimmed with fringe of the same and
tips of fir, together with his seeming
familiarity with Indians and their
strange customs, betokencd him a
trapper.
lie was soon on friendly terms with
his new friends, and remained several
days. He gave no reason for his Wis
it, but this reticence but accorded
with the general custom of the coun-
try. His agile movements and athlet-
ic feats greatly pleased them, and q
certain uneoncern gained their conf
dence.
His long flowing gray hair indicated
that he was man of years, notwith-
standing there was kind OF thrilling
fash to his dark eye. which plainly
showed that the fires of youth had not
yet burned out.
Wenona never conversed with
strangers, from the fact that it greatly
displeased her captors; but of this
old trapper they evinced no fear, as
they had not perceived single glance
directed toward her, neither had he
by single word or question seemed
aware of her presence.
This pleased them, as they were
generally piled with thousand ques-
tions regarding the lovely white rose
that grew up in their midst. These
interrogations never failed to bring a
frown to the face of these Miami
warriors, especially to that OF Mono
geken.
One afternoon as some of the men,
the trapper, a few of their women,
and Wenona, were slowly filing out of
the camp just described to another
that belonged to them, about half a
mile up the stream, just where the
town of Ossawatomie now stands, it
happened that the trapper and Weno-
ma were side by side, and the others
all in advance, thing quite natural,
owing to the scattering manner in
walking.
aThe trapper gazed searchingly upon
the face of his fair companion, and
addressed her:
"How do you like your new home
and friends 7"
''The country is very lovely, and my
friends are kind.n
"You are perfectly happy here,
then?"
III have no complaints to offer.n
Would you not then like to return
to your home ?'
"I have none."
"Would you not like to see your
friends ?''
Il am SO unfortunate as to have nei-
ther home nor friends"
All the time she turned her face
from him and spoke low and hurried
ly. -
"Wenona, look over your shoulder,
far away over the undulating prairie,
to eastward; what do you see ?"
II see where the hazy Indian sum-
mer atmosphere blends earth and sky
in one great fabric"
My child, yonder your poor moth