Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-07
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 fiji
her young heart; her lustrous limpid eyes
expressed only tender affection; her guile
less face was sweet to look upon, and he-
pretty little hands and feet were admired
by all who saw them.
The cerulean waves of the Mexican gulf
and the Caribbean sea laVed the shores or
her fatherland; and when Menona was near
the billowy waters she never tired of gaz-
ing at them. She loved ali nature, almost
worshiping the beautiful flowers. As soon
as he, jet black hair had grown long enough
she every day cooled bright blossoms among
the glossy tresses. OF flowers too she woye
her necklace and bracelets. Then when
she sat in the sunshine the birds would
aIight upon her The bright buds wreathed
about the pretty child appeared fresh and
happy; the birds, too could surely venture!
So the emerald breasted cumming bird
futtered above 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 s'Flower Princess y When 10 years of
age she was sent to the seer that he might
peer into his crystal bell and there ques-
ton futurity concerning the fate of the
caZique's lovely little daughter. 1t was
such :. very serious affair that even the
flowers were forgotten that day: though
had she wish to do so, Menona could not
have worn garlands on that occasion. 1t
would have been contrary to regulations
connected with the religious rites.
Long and tiXedly 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
afraids"
But the old man needed not her re-
marks, only continued looking at the
crystal and his countenance 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 have TO tell"
Nay, replied Menona. cit is to me
the seer must reveal the vision of the
crystal My heart is strong; | 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 house. She viii never be bride.
Her enemies VIII 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 filed her heart; the future
was SO far of, so 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
10 the land where Menona dwell. She had
counted fourteen summers when & 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 and her young infant But the pro-
posal angered the cazique Do what he
NOGiU, tue NnliS man COuIu mol Win MS
good will or consent. As for the Flower
Princess, she would not hear q word said
about leaving her home: least of all. 10
enter that of stranger.
Algst poor child! one evening she was
missing: never again would she rejoice
the sight Of her fond parents. The white
man caught heS IN lonely place among
the flowers and the birds. Stealthily
creeping close he threw blanket over
carried 20 the white woman. who kept her
hidden for few days TIL she and her
jaIlers sailed far from the home of her
childhood, away 10 Florida
The white woman was glad TO have
such a pretty maid 10 take care Of her
darling babe. But the Flower Princess
had never toile1 for herself. much less
had she waited on Others. 30 her heart
rebelled against her captors, and she said;
4 Will not take care OF the white baby;
let It's mother see 10 it. am the daugh-
ter Of chief
Then they told her that she must learn
70 cook. But again She refused. saying:
Prepare food Tor tie strangers Never
and size pSssiSaately stamped her foot
upon the gyoand Is IL not enough iha.
they have stolen me away FROM my home
and country / am heart broken. and
Still they would heap indignities upon
met
N'heleupon the white woman was ex-
teedirsly wrath. Whip the little beast!''
S.ASaiS-