The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-03-06
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ALTA WAYNE.
LEGEND OF THE COAST RANGE.

Where the snow-clad noun aims lifted high
Their heads sublime in the vaulted sky;
Where over the wild rocks, gray and brown.
The crystal waters come leaping down;
Where the towering pines by the winds were
stirred;
Where the growl of the grizzly bear was heard
Where the fierce 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 net for show.
With thatch of bows, with puncheon-foor,
With windows barred, and 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 lids were as sweet to see
As ripening cherries upon the tree;
Her cheeks like the hue of an opening rose,
Or the crimson flush when the sunset glows;
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 shared his losses and golden gains.
With her pretty babe on her hopeful breast,
The trackless forests her feet had pressed.
Love made her needless of toll and pain;
A faithful wife was brave Alta Waynel
'Tis near the close of summer day,
And Alta Wayne, in the twilight gray,
Sits swsetly humminz 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 pleasures 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 hark! A sudden and piercing cry
On the shuddering air goes echoing by.
She springs to her feet with frightened bound
Her heart stands still at the awful sound;
Her lips grow ivid; her cheeks turn pale;
She trembles; her courage begins to fail.
She hears plash in the mountain-strsam-
Then another cry. IT'S q pantaSr's scream!
She leaps through the doorway-her child is
gone;
Then through the thicket she rushes on:
She fancies his form in the pan'her's jaws,
Or mangled and torn by.its cruel claws.
Her soul is filled with an awful fear.
But listen! A light laugh greets her ear
A laugh that thrills through her trembling
form,
Like sunshine that breaks through dreadful
storm.
She peers through the boughs with look Of
joy,
And sees, unharmed. on bank, her beyl
But lookl, Above on the rocks she spies
The crouching panther with angry eyes;
She sees the fangs in its quivering jaws,
It's long, gaunt form, and its strong, keen claws.
flashes 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 tho panther's cries!
All mother-loye. in the fercest i'll.
What strength you give to woman's will
What heroism. what sslf-control,
You bring to a trembling woman's soul
What power in moments of deep dospair!
What wondrous burdens you help her bearl
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 there!
The mother springs from her hiding
And clasps her child in a close embrace.
With fearless look of exaltant love;
Then, with flashing eyes, to the beast above
She turns and gazes with bated breath;
The hollow is hushed as the halls of deathi
The crack of rifel A shoutl boundl
The panther tumbles upon the ground;
Its strong limbs quiver-its fierce eyes pale
1t lashes the leaves with its tawny tail.
The hunter leaps from the forest wild,
And clasps and kisses his wife and child
EUGENE J. HALL. in Chicago Tribune.