Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-10-28
MISCELLANEOUS.
IFor tho Spirit of jefferson.
The Legend of Island Park.


A long time ago, on the old hills
and mountains surrounding Harper's
Ferry, there were no houses, no beau-
tiful yards and gardens tracing the
marks of civilization and refinement.
Eolus tuned his harp and played
among the branches of the great oak
and pine trees, whose dense shade
covered safe retreat from the fierce
eye of the savage for the painting
deer, and wild beasts, who were so
often the victims of the chase.
While wandering o'er these hills at
the close of a summers day, the cool
breath of evening soothingly tanning
our brows, and toying with the golden
locks of the little children as they
ramble among the laurels and ever
greens, ever and anon glad voice of
triumph sweetly echoeing through the
hills, as some beautiful butterfly is
made captive while slipping the sweets
of the buttcrcups and daisies.
The white wing of the "Dove of
Peace" hovers so sweetly over this
picturesque scene, that it almost o. er
shadows the wild picture hung far in
the background in the I" Gallery of
History" And while meditating on
these things we trembIe at the rustic
of leaf, fearing that the spirit of
some shadowy form may be lurking
near, and we turn in the twilight eX-
pectantly, to catch a glance from the
dusky faces peering at us from behind
the rocks, for dearer to him than life
were these hunting grounds to the
poor Indian. Here in imagination we
see the Indian maiden chasing the
gazelle from cliff to cliff, while the
fierce cry of the eagle penetrates the
air above, reverberating in the valley
below, as it vehemently protects its
young from the invasion.
We see the panther and deer drink
ing from the same stream where now
the tinkling bells of the lowing herd
harmoniously blend with the sweet
voice of nature, as it wanders forth
at morn or eventide, to quench its
thirst in the bright waters of the
Shenandoah or Potomac.
We see Kee-sha-mon-e-doO, (the
Angry Spirit) then, as now, howling
and moving in the tempest, staying
the forests in his grasp, rcnding the
rocks asunder with his flaming tongue
and pouring forth his voice in the
noise of the great waters.
Here under the blue canopy of the
heavens, the red man reverently wor-
SHIPPED the Great Spirit, more sin
cerely, perhaps, than many who meet
within the walls of the true and living
God. Here, meath the tread of the
white man, their bones are resting
We see their bodies, hopes, joys and
disappointmcnts lying buried in aland
where their raceis extinct, unknown
unmarked are their graves save by
the eye of the Great Spirit.
Tradition tells us that at this re-
mote period in history, far down on
the margin of the river meath the
shadow of great rock, ensconced
among the evergreens, stood the wig
wan OF Nenemoo-sha, loveliest maid
of all the Al-gon-quins. Happy as
the air she breathed she gaily sang,
and bounded with 1.-the and graceful
step DER the rocks, the wild birds she
had woOed and won joining in the glad,
sweet chorus.
When her feet grew weary of the
chase, and the evening shadows mys-
teriously crept low down in the valley.
the maiden sought her wigwam, and
with nimble fingers she wrought some
little gift of love for him her young
heart loved so true. At times, as if
forgetting her work, she sat with
dreamy listlessness watching the
waves leaping and dancing over the
rocks, and kissing the last rays of the
setting sun ere it sank to rest behind
the distant mountains. At intervals
sigh is borne upon the breeze, and
the shadows grow darker in her large
liquid eyes. and an expression of sad
ness traces its lines upon her brow.
Suddenly she starts, and a bright
smile illumines her face as she sees a
light canoe gliding DER the waters
Well she knows the one who plies the
oars, though full three moons have
passed since her noble chieftan waited
her last goodbye, as he passed up
the river where the silvery waters run
50 smoothly, as if fearing to wake the
ripples from their sleep.
AS the canoe neared the shore, the
maiden arose and extended welcome
hand to the young warrior, ,butseeing a
J look of sadness resting on his face, she