Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-11-19
INDIAN SUMNER.

In all its rich maturity OIL VegetaDIe MS
illustrating the gathering ''into the garner"
the ripened fruit for the eternal future.
The days of Indian summer which we are
now enjoying are peculiarly suggestive to
all living creatures, whose nature requires
of them an observance of the laws of self
preservation. In the highest degree, it re-
news admonitions to man, whose obilga-
lions extend to watchful care, not
only for his own kind, but for the lower
orders Of creation dependent on him.
When the fields become brown and bare
when the rigors of winter and the herce
pelting storms of the dreary months come
on-when food and shelter have to be pro-
vided for the animals that have served the
master and are to add to his continued n
come, then, especially, does the lingering
season of Indian summer awake the SOU
to realization of the responsibilities God
has epioined upon enlightened and cultured
man.
Nor are these days without other and
timely thoughts for good. 1t is heaven
ly-inspired reflection which embraces the
poor and the needy. The time. will soor
be here vi. - Il Il Is The Tie uuty of all to obey
specially the admonitions of the Savior
and those who have either an abundance
OF mite to give should remember thell
suffering fellow-creatures. AS they Wouic
make provision for their own families ano
all dependent on their care, so, too, some
thing of their abundance belongs OF right
by the Injunction Of Divine authority, te
those in want.
During Indian summer the forest il
clothed in variegated richness. Neither
the lovely green of spring and eally sum
mer, nor the falling brown leaves OF latel
autumn, represent fully its wonderful beau
ties. The numberless hues which it as
sumes, as the hazy season spreads out Il
space its orange and golden mists, display
the life-b bloom of the forest as the eye de
lights to catch it from tiny buds, al
through it's luxuriant maturity, and to its
final assignment in natures works, to en-
rich the soil which gave it growth.
The fruits of the forest-its hardy grapes
and uncared for nuts, the last of its pro
auctions are there for wise purpose
Man passes them carelessly by and in The
absence of proper reflection scarcely recog
nizes their value. The remnant of greer
grass sheltered by tufts of fallen summel
growth is provision for sustaining life
! The little wild sour apple, the persimmons
the haw, and other fruits, not needful K
man or to sustaining animal life, entrusted
to his care, all become essential to the mi
nor orders of living creatures whose exist
ence through winter depends upon theil
own industry in filing their little store
houses from the abundance the forests
and fields yield for their benefit. In6ial
summer comes to them as it does to tht
intellectual and cultured Of the creation
in its admonition for timely preparation
for safety from the severity CT approach
ing winter.
The term ''Indian summer is thus re
ferred to by several authorities
Webster says it is, 'in the United States
q period of warm weather late in autumn
usually characterized by clear sky AMI
by hazy Or smoky appearance Of tile at
mosphere, especially near the horizon. Tn,
name is derived from the custom Of thu
Indians to use this time in preparation 70
winter by laying III stores of food, Or from
their belief that it was caused by wine
blowing directly from the court Of IL,
southwestern god
i Freeman thus describes is as it occur
farther north than Virginia: "fhe south
west is the pleasant wind which blows il
New England. In the month Of October
monty take place after September, it FIRE
quently produces two or three weeks Of fai
weather, in which the air is perfectly trans
parent, and the clouds, which float in th'
sky, of the purest azure, are adorned will
brilliant colors. This charming season i
called Indian summer, a name which is de
rived from the natives, who believe that j
is caused by wind which comes immedi
ately from the court Of their great AM
benevolent God, Cautantowwit, or TIN
southwestern god.
In referring to it, Colonel John L. Pey
ton, in his history Of Augusta county
says: "The derivation of the term, In
dian summer has given rise 10 nue.
speculation. The best theory as to it's orr
gin is this: The term originated in the Val
ley among TIE early settlers, and bacl;
woodsmen seldom heard it without chill
of horror, as it recalled painful recollection
of its original application The Indian
were accustomed to m Ike their predator
incursions into the settlements of tn
whites during the simmer. They seldom
ever visited the territory of the whites afte
the frosts and SHOWS set in. The com
mencement was therefore hailed by the in
habitants with delight. During that in
hospitable season, they would enjoy peac
and freedom from the confinement Of th
forts. At the approach Of winter, there
fore, the planters would remove 10 thei
farms with the Joyful feelings of prisone
set free. All was hustle and hilarity pre-
pairing for winter-the gathering of corn
digging of potatoes, fattening pigs, bee
and turkeys, and rejoining their dwellings
1t sometimes happened, however, after tn
apparent commencement of winter til
weather became warm; the smoky tin
commenced and lasted for a CONSIDERABLE
number of days. This was Indian sum
mer, because it afforded the Indians anoth
er opportunity of visiting the settlement
with their destructive warfare
Another authority in relation to til,
term "Indian summer will be quoted. l
is name not familiar with our youn,
readers, except when reading or hearin,
recounted the history Of this countr,
during the first half of the present century
What it has to say does not material,
differ from quotations already made, bu
any subject which the National Iateldgea
| Ger deemed worthy of its consideration i