Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-01-12
THE FLOWER PRINCESS.

Many are the years that have come and
gone since Menona lived and died. The
only daughter of cazique, she was the
idol of fond parents and beloved by
every one. Love and joy alone seemed
to fill her young heart; her lustrous limp
id eyes expressed only tender affection:
her gUileless face was sweet to look upon,
and her pretty little hands and feet were
admired by all who saw them.
The cerclean waves OF the Mexican gulf
and tie Caribbean sea laved the shores of
her fatherland; and when Menona was
near the billowy waters she never tired
of gazing at them. She loved all nature,
almost worshiping the beautiful flowers.
AS soon as her Jet black hair had grown
long enough she every day cooled bright
blossoms among the glossy tresses. OF
flowers too she wove her necklace and
bracelets. Then when she sat in the sun
shine the birds would aIight upon her.
The bright buds wrethed about the pretty
child appeared fresh and happy; the
birds, too, could surely venture! So the
emerald breasted humming bird futtered
about her head, while the golden winged
butterfly settled on her flower bracelet.
This pleased the little maid. Joyous as
they, she would lift her voice and sing
with those winged warblers that were
trilling sweet lays among the green
foliage.
Because of her beauty and her great
love for the flowers Menona was called
the Glover Princess" When 10 years of
age she was sent to the seer that he might
peer into his crystal ball and there cues
ticn futurity concerning the fate of the
caziqUes's lovely little daughter. 1t was
such very serious affair that even the
flowers were forgotten that day: though
bad she wished to do so, Menona could
not have worn garlands on that occasion.
It would have been contrary to regula-
tions connected with the religious rites.
Long and fixedly the seer gazed at the
crystal lying in the hollow of his hand,
while the Flower Princess sat facing him,
wondering what he would have to say.
Thrice he was about to speak, and thrice
he checked himself. Then the child said:
''The seer is distressed. Does he think
that the daughter of chief will be
afraid?"
But the old man needed not her re-
marks, only continued looking at the
crystal, and his contenance was troubled.
At last he said:
Daughter, have seen. To thy parents
[ will speak and advise them what is best
for thy happiness, Thou art too young to
hear what I have to tell"
May" replied Menona. "It is to me
the seer must reveal the vision of the
crystal. My heart is strong; I am eager
to know"
Then the wise man no longer hesitated,
but said: "The only daughter of our
noble caziQue will weep far from her
fathers's house. She will never be pride.
Her enemies will pursue her even to death;
but she shall be avenged"
For few days only Menona was med
itative-her sweet voice hushed. The
birds and the flowers soon chased away
all shades of sadness from her brow.
Notwithstanding her deep faith in the
prophecy, Joy filled her heart; the future
was so far off, Sc vague, and the present
was all sunshine. No thorns had yet
sprung up among the blossoms strewn by
loving hands along her life path.
The white man came from the far east
to the land where Menona dwelt. She had
counted fourteen summers when a pale
faced chief saw her and said she was beau
tiful. He would take her to his own
dwelling place where she should serve his
wife ard her young infant. But the pro-
posal angered the cazique. Do what he
would, the white man could not win his
good will or consent. As for the Flower
Princess, she would not hear word said
about leaving her home; least of all, to
enter that of stranger.
Alas! poor child! One evening she was
missing; never again would she rejoice
the sig ht of her fond parents. The white
man caught her in lonely place among
the flowers and the birds. Stealthily
creeping close he threw a blanket over
her head aud stole her away. She was
carried to the white woman, who kept her
hidden for a few days till she and her
iailers sailed far from the home of her
childhood, away to Florida.
The white woman was glad to have
such a pretty maid to take care of her
darling babe. But the Flower Princess
had never toiled for herself, much less
had she waited on others. So her heart
rebelled against her caPtors, and she said:
81 will not take care of the white baby;
let its mother see to it. I am the daug-
ter of chief!'
Then they told her that she must learn
to cook. But again she refused, saying
Prepare food tor the strangers? Never!
and she passionately stamped her foot
upon the ground. as it no. enough that
| they have stolen me away from home
and country? I am heart broken; and
still they would heap indignities upon
me-"
Whereupon the white woman was ex
ceedingly wrath. whip the little beast"
| she said.
Menona fed-Nor stopped till she
stood by the seashore. The murmuring
water caressed her tiny feet and cool ed
them; they had burned and smarted IL
their rapid flight over the hard ground
for the princess no longer had prettj
| sandals.
On the smooth surface of the water she
saw herself reflected. II am pretty an
a cazique's daughter; I will not be a slave
to the white people," she muttered to her
self.
Looking around and seeing many love
Iy flowers blooming not far off, she went
to pick some of the brightest. These
| she twined into her flowing hair and
again went TO the water to look at her
self. The lovely reflection brought {
smile to her lips. Alone with nature shs
felt happy for moment.
Hark! she hears footsteps approaching
The man who dares call hi.aself her mas
ter is rapidly coming towards the place
where she stands. MenoRa is transform
ed; the smile vanishes, her heart is full o.
passionate anger. Her pursuer draws