Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-07-14
INDIAN coRR-A LEGEND.

| Inc unWTllt0n anu SO4lGtlnleS
pictorial literature of the North
American Indians abounds with
much poetic thought. The Gre
atoms OF their dark minds in mea-
ger language often assume the forms
of really beautiful legends, especial
ly those which relate 10 the origin
of created things-thunder, wind
and rain the sun, moon and stars ;
beasts, birds and fishes grain, fruit
and flowers and the races of men.
These constitute the fabric of their
narrow mythology.
One ofthese legends tells US that
a youth, the son of a sachenl living
on the borders of one of our great
lakes, was impelled by thirst for
wisdom to go far into the forest,
where hunters seldom trod, 70 sun
ny savanna, to fast and pray in sol
itude. Itwas early in May, when
song-birds had just returned with
the sOuth-wind, and were begin
ming to MARBLE their love ditties.
There the youth built for himself
d lodge, and covered it with the
odOrous sprays of the balsam-fir,
leaving Il wide opening for the ad-
mission OF light. He painted his
face in somber colors, and like the
old Christian hermits, who sought
the favor of heaven by peni;Gnt hui
initiation in the solitude of the deS-
ert, this pious barbarian prince
sought light and knowledge in this
lonely spot, in humble obeisance of
| body and soul before the Master OF
Life. TO the GreatSpirit he prayed
for some bounteouS gilt for the ben
| eft Of his race.
Day and night this youth tasted,
until famished and weak, he lay
down in his lodge at monday, and
slept. Toward evening he aWoke,
and looking up through the OPEN
ing in the bOughs above him into
the blue depths of the heavens, he
saw descending from the azure vault
the form of beautiful young man
robed in u bright green garment,
his head adorned with. plumes of
green and gold colors, standing at
the door of the lodge, this embodied
spirit said
arise, faithful boy, and come
forth. Only by wrestling with me
can you obtain the coveted blessing
which you seek. l am Oneasti
(MaiZe), child of the sun and Il
friend of mankind" The weak
youth obeyed. The evening sun
light spread a delicious glow over
the dark forest and the little prairie,
casting long shadows from the
woods across the springing grass,
and the timid flowers, then first be-
holding the face of their great King
and Creator. So soon as the young
man touched the celestial Visitant,
moral strength that gave promise of
victory in the contest thrilled his
whole being. For an hour they
wrestled, when the dusky prince,
with bodily strength exhausted, re-
tired to his lodge for repose.
The next day Oneasti again sum-
mOned the youth to the wrestling.
Greater than before was his moral
strength, and Hope babe him per-
severe. Again, on the third day
did the WreStlerS contend with the
same result when OneaSti said:
"To-mOrrOw will be the seventh
day of your fast, and the last time |
shall Wrestle with you. You will
wishes. AS soon as you have
thrown me on the ground, strip off
my garments and bury me on the
spot in soft fresh earth. When you
have done this, leave me for awhile,
but come occasionally to visit my
grave, and keep the nOXious weeds
from growing upon it. Once or
twice cover me with fresh earth"
OneaSti then vanished, but the
next morning he stood at the door
of the lodge and again summoned
the young prince to combat. Long
they cOntended. In the struggle
the strength of the youth continual
ly increased, until he threw Oneasti
on the ground. Then he faithfully
the instructions of his celes- |
tial friend. Carefully removing the
tender green sward, ne laid the bO-
dy of the vanquished in the earth,
anu covered it with fresh, well pull |
verified mould. Then he returned
to his home, his face radiant with |
JOY as the lIndOubted heir to great |
treasure.
The young prince soon returned,
and was delighted to see the green
plumes of the heavenly stranger
5pringing up from the earth through
the soft mould but contending with
1nsightly weeds for the privilege of
light and air. These membranes
to growth were removed, and the
earth around was kept fresh and
clean. In due time the youth was
charmed by the vision of Il stately
plant, taller than himself, surmoun-
ed with taSsleS of flowers OF clus-
cred spikes, and bearing delicious
ruit encased in sheaths of long
caves, and lined with silk. When
he frost season approached, this
ruit became hard, golden hued
rain, containing most nutritious
God for man and beast. The plant
gracefully waved its long leaves
md golden tassels in the autumn
Wind.
Come" said the young prince to
lis parents, on a soft October day,
and | will show you a great bless
ny from the Master of Life"
They followed him to the sunny
avanna, where hOar-frOst lay hid
EN- in the shaded hooks. They
the golden grains, and 1
made cake from the flour thereof. I
at is Men-du-min, the grain of
he Great Spirit" said the father.
They invited their friends to the {
rast on the excellent grain, and |
mere was soon great rejoicing ;
mong many nations because of the
reat boon. 1t was maize. When .
europeans came centuries after !
-, ri tha,y oaIIad If Indian Corn
proved to be as great Il blessing I
, them as it had been to their bar q
arian neighbOrS. To-day it is the Q
'Od of thousands of Christians and |
agans, civilized men and savageS, I
ON the Gulf of Mexico far toward '
he frigid zone. 1t is indeed Men
grain of the Great u
pirit. =