The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-02-18
Attn WAYNE.
A LEGEND OF THE COAST nANon.

LEGEND OF THE COAST RANGE.
Where the snow-clad mountains lifted high
1nelr heads sublime in the vaulted sky;
Mhere over the wild rocks, gray and brown,
The crystal waters came leapinr down:
Nhere the towering pines by the winds were
stirred:
Where the growl of the grizzly-bear was heard;
Where the terce wolves followed the fright
ened deer
Stood the low log hut of pioneer.
Its walls were rude, and its roof was low;
Twas built for safety, and not for show
, Min thatch of boughs, with a puncheon-hoor,
WIN windows barred and a massive door;
twas simple-twas picturesque and plain
The forest-home of brave Alta Wayne.
Her form was TALL and her skin was brown
As an autumn-acorn when dropping down;
Her look was lovely; her limbs were strong;
Her ebony hair was thick and long;
Her full red lips were as sweet to see
AS r1pentng cherries upon the tree;
Her cheeks like the hue of an opening rose,
Orthe crimson flush when the sunset CLOVIS;
Her teeth were white as the oceans foam,
And her voice as sweet as the thought of
home.
She had followed her husband across the
plains;
She had sharr,G his losses and golden gains.
With her pretty babe 81 her hopeful breast
The trackless forests her feet had presse(
Love madc Der needless of toll or pain;
a faithful wife was brave Alta Wayne
IT'S near the close of summer day,
And Alta Wayne, in the twilight gray,
Sits swectly humming an old tune DER,
With her young child playing before the door.
She thinks of her husbands golden pile
with hopeful look and happy smile;
She dreams of pleasure twill bring, some day,
To friends in the dear home far away.
There is nothing selfish, or proud, or vain
In the noble nature of Alta Wayne.
But bark! A sudden and piercing cry
On the shuddering air goes echoing by.
She springs TO her feet with a frightened
Her heart stands still at the awful sound;
Her lips grow livid; her cheeks turn pale
she trembles; her courage begins to fail.
She hears plash in the mountain-stream-
Ihen another cry. IT'S q pdnther's scream!
She leaps through the toorway-her childs
gone;
Then into the thicket she rlshes on;
She fancies his form in the panther's Jaws,
Or mangled and torn by its cruel claws.
Her soul is filled with an awful fear
But lstenl a light laugh greets her ear
"A laugh that thrills through her trembling
Like sunshine that breaks through dreadful
storm.
She peers through the boughs with look of
Joy,
And sees, unframed, on a bank, her boyl
But lookl Above on the rocks she spies
The crouching panther with angry eyes;
she she sees the fangs in its ,quiverng jaws,
1t lashes the rocks with its tawny tail;
The soul of the mother forgets to quail
And courage flashes from heart and eyes
As the child laughs loud at the panthers cries!
All! mother-love in the flercest ILL.,
What strength you give to a woman's Wilt
What heroism, what self-control,
You bring to a trembling woman's soul!
What power in moments of deep despairl
What wondrous burdens you help her bear!
NO man so cruel, no beast so wild,
She will not dare for darling child
Loud screams the panther; its fierce eyes
glare
With savage wrath on the bright boy therel
The mother springs from her hidng-place,
And clasps her child in a close embrace,
With fearless look of eXultant love;
Then, with flashing eyes, to the beast above
She turns and gaZes with bated BREATH
The hollow is hushed as the halls of deathl
The crack of a rifiel A shout! a bound!
The panther tumbles upon the ground
Its strong limbs quiver-its fierce eyes pale
IL lashes the leaves with its tawny tail.
The hunter leaps from the forest wild,
And clasps and kisses his wife and child!
Eugene j. HUI, in Chicago Tribune.