Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-09-30
a legend of william Penn.

Some OF US down on the Delaware are
preparing to celebrate, in November, the
anniversary of the arrival of William
Penn and the signing of his treaty with
the Indians. That treaty deserves to be
celebrated, for under it William gouged
over three million acres of land out Ct
the savages in exchange for a couple OF
hundred dollars worth of hatchets, plug
tobacco and ten.penny nails. That was
the beginning of the present Indian
policy. We carry on the same noble
system yet. / have been Furnishing up
nv antiquarian studies for the anniver
sary, and among other things have
resurrected a legend of William, which
may be valuable, never mind where l
dug it up. Here it is:
Soon after landing Penn is said to
have inspired tender passion in the
breast of beautiful Indian maiden, and
for some time it was considered proba-
BILE that the two might be joined together
in matrimony; but this was not to be,
and the reason why it was not TO be is
explained in the following conversation,
which occurred between the lovers one
evening while they we're sitting together
upon the bank of the river The maiden
said to him:
Dearest, long to have you become
IS one of our people, and Iwant you now
to let me adorn you with earrings, and
70 fasten this ring to your nose, so that
you may appear as noble as the other
braves"
Excuse me, darlin', he said, but !
daren't wear jewelry. The yearly meetin'
won allow it. I"
But you will come to our council
fire tonight, dear, will you not, and join
with the chiefs and warriors in dancing
about our captives, who will be tied to
the stake? | know you will come.
"WelI, iii makes no difference to you,
believe l won't, l don't dance; it's
agin our discipline"
"Ah, then, l will tell you what you
shall do. You shall sit by the great tree
and beat the war-drum, and make the
fierce music of battle. You can surely
do that2'
upon the whole, really don't think
can. You see, I'm down on the fierce
music Of battle. I'm opposed to music
of any kind, and particularly to that
which is hammered out OF q war-drum.
No; I'll have to beg off.
"But, at least, you will 60 with me to
the lodge OF the medicine man and see
him perform his wonderful feats oil
magicW :.
I'm afraid I'll have to contradict you
agin, my love. Our folks haye testified
agin goin' to places of amusement Id
be disciplined, sure as fate, if | was to
do it. Can't do it, sweet, anyhow you
fix it.
"Too bad too bad Bot you will not
object, know, to letting me toy with
YOUR tresses, aud fix them into such a
crest as our braves wear proudly npon
their heads. This you cannot refuse
me.
"Now, see here, my dear, do be rea'
sonable. You know | can't let you do
that. You certainly must know that
amt allowed TO take of my hat. Why,
it's absurd.
IL do not understand the ways OF
your people. But am willing to sub
nit to you if / know that you love me
You do love me, William, do you notf
Swear that you love me. Swear by yon
moon-no, the moon is not out--swear
by yon stars that you will never cease to
love me.
"Pm afraid I'll have to get our book
of discipline and read it to you. When
you've perused it couple OF times
maybe you'll understand that | never
swear; l affirm.
Then she rose, looked at him a mo
ment with ineffable scorn and fed into
the trackless forest; so that match was
off and William Penn was left disconso
late. This is as much OF the legend as
have scared up thus far. II it seems
to interest antiquarians, maybe l can
excavate the rest Of it.-Mdr Adeler.