Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1880-08-07
A LEGEND OF ABITA SPRING.

attached to the government Young
Spanlard by the name of Henrieuez.-
While on q hunting expedition on this
size OF the lake, he visited the lodge of
the Choctow Chief, where lie was receiv-
ed as guest. There he met with a love-
~ Indian girl, who inspired him with the
most tender passion. The untutored mai
den was easily won. They were married
with all the awe-insp,ring rites of the
Catholic Church. Dressed in the costume
of her tribe-which the romantic youth
insisted she should still wear-a scarlet
petticoat. chemise of the purest white.
mocassins richly embroidered, scarlet
mantle, that lighted lip her fine face.
where the warm Southern blood spoke
eloquently, her long black hair, which
fell in plated masses 10 her feet, her large
black eyes, heaming with love and admi-
ration for her lover, her graceful and
perfectly chiscied form, half-revealed
half-concealed by her mantle. Never did
Canova's widest dream of ideal beauty
imagine il more perfect being.
Heuriauez bore her to his home in New
Orleans, which he surrounded with every
luxury that civilization could procure -
Every wish was granted before it could
lind utterancc. Masters were procured
for her, and, to please her husband. she
taskea her mind to rival in learning
those French and Spanish danes she so
far surpassed in beauty and grace; but
in these unaccustOmed mental excrtions
her physica, strength gave way; her tai
ry-like feet, that once had been the swift
test i'll the lace among tho merry maidens
of her tribe, conld scarcely support her
light figure; the small hand, that once
would curb in mad career the widest
stecd, could now scarce reach the lips,
which, formerly the color of the scarlet
berries of her forest, now ri vailed in
whtrness the snow dropof the garden.
In alarm for the life of his Idol, Henri
quez consulted in vaIn the physicians of
the city. After essaying all the means Of
art and learning, hey could give no hope.
In despair, he determined to call to his
aid the great conjurcr of the Choctaw
tribe-thc Medicine man--in whom the
Indians believed with the most dociie
faith. He came, viewed the almost help
less form, and promised her entire restor-
alton in one moon, or month, II all his
commands were obcyed a; but strict obed
fence to his will only could restore depart
ing life. He ordered a litter to be con
to bear her to the lake, where
his bal k awaited him. pretending HAT III
the forest alone would the Great Spirit
sm,!e OIL his efforts. The weather proved
they were waited gently across
the lake. She was again placed in her
Hitter, without one sign of life, except in
her lustrous eyes, which ever sought her
husbands with an imploring glance,
which pleaded pot cction from the grim
tyrant Death. After traversng The forest
for miles, where solitude reigncd supreme,
the wise man paused 4 grove of majes-
tic Expresses, from the branches OF which
lloatcd dark gosamcr banners Of moss, en-
circied Il bubb(ing spring, the murmurlng
waters of which alone broke the silence
Of nature. With a wave of his hand, he
their attention to a hammock
suspended from the cypress. A Few sim
pies, arranged in caiabashcs, were the
sole preparations to receive this child OF
the forest. BY rapid gcsticulati"ns the
wise man showed that she must be left
alone TO nature and natures God, ana
her instant destruction If any
ATTEMPT was made by Henriqncz to join
her before q noon should have passed
away. With lingering steps her husband
left her, after frantically embracing her,
as if for the last time.
il month, which seemed a Lifetime,
dragged it's weary length away-each
step which brought him NEARER to the spot
filled him with greater apprehension. In
despair, he pictured tho inanimate form
Of his beloved lying beneath the funeral
pail of the moss clad cypress. He hastens
rapidly on; tho mound overhang'ng the
suriuu is reachetl---no human form meets
his uaZe-no sound but that of the Water
fall is heard. His over-wrou3ht fears
find uttcrance in one wild cry OF deep
despair, when answering to the echo' the
boundi ng form Of the Indian girl is seen.
Therivuet intervenes-but, with the I'M
aud agility OF a young lawn
she has leapcu across: and thrown her-
self in the arms Of her lover, perfectly rii-
diant with health and beauty! He pu
her from him to gaze into those ores OF
love and light, to render assurance doub-
" sure that she is restored to linn. Inc
Indians shout, "Abita! Abita! the Great
>,nirit has given us Abita ! The medi-
cine man, standing with arms 1ol"ed' I'D
proud silence, received his enthusiastic
thanks and praises for his great work.
The Indian had taken advantage OF the
powerful mineral sp,ing to restore to