Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-06
STORY OF LOVERS OAK.

turtles has watched the tides as they come
and 60 One of Montgomery Folsom's
sprettiest poems, first printed in the Macon
Ieleg aph, is dedicated to this tree. The
city authorities recently had its base in
closed by an iron picket fence, and have
made it an offense, punishable by heavy
fine, for anyone who now desecrates its
body or limbs by cutting names, mi
,tials, etc.
1t has always been faYorite resort for
young people, and visitors never leave the
city without taking a look at those mag
nifcent branches, whose shade covers more
than an acre Of ground.
This great giant of the forest, at dis
tance, looks like a huge umbrella spread
for the protection of the soil. Its great
trunk grows into three prongs some three
feet from the ground, and goes up with
such gradual slope that people walk up
among its branches with little difficulty,
and on picnic occasions | have known of
more than one hundred people being
sperched among the limbs. It is said there
have been few marriages IN Brunswick
that the loving ones did not trace back
many of the sweets of courtship to Lovers
Oak" and it is recorded that many of the
most romantic marriages have taken place
sunder its sheltering boughs.
AS is often the case with romantic spots,
there is a legend connected with this tree
that would be interesting if told in print
a legend that for many, many years was
never told save under the shade of the
tree, where the listener was solemnly
pledged not to repeat the story least he
bring the audience with him to the tree
and exact the same pledge in return.
Thus the story was perpetuated from
generation to generation among the young
people. | tell it to-day, as near as | can
remember, as it was told to me once by
beautiful, dark-eyed girl, who perohed be-
side me one lovely afternoon Of June
day long since gone, and she lent the
music of charming voice to help impress
on memory one of the beautiful tales of
the sea, for which this country is famous,
She told me of how, years ago, when the
pale-face was unknown and this fine land
was the haunt of the deer, and the habita-
ton of only red men, there lived in mid
die Georgia tribe of Indians that were
celebrated for brave warriors, and whose
chief was.the father Of beautiful daugh-
ter.
This dusky belle OF the forest was sought
far and wide by the braves, who were all
captivated by her charms. One of them
was the favored of the old chief, who,
probably, very much as fathers in this day
and generation, looked at such things with
business eye.
However, the girl womanlike, chose to
follow her own heart, and fell in love with
8 slender youth, who cared more for the
camp than he did for the chase, and would
rather chase the nimble deer than search
for scalps in bloody fight This put him
in disfavor with the braves, and when the
old chieftain discovered that his favorite
child had twined her young heart around
this worthless youth he naturally grew
Wroth, and banished the young upstart
from the camp.
But maiden's heart is but maiden's
heart, whether it beats in a dusky breast
OR bosom white as snow. So, as was ever
the way since the world was made, the
young people managed to meet quite often
just outside the camp, Notwithstanding
watchful eyes, and they pledged eternal
love, as young folks do sometimes even
now, but they were probably more sincere
The wary old chief became uneasy, and
when that fall, with chosen band of war
riors with their squaws, he set off to the
~.
which they did by boiling sea water, the
young daughter of the chief was forced to
go with the party But woman's wit is al
ways keen, and she gave her lover to I'M
stand he was to follow, always keeping on
the side next to the setting sun, and at
evening, when the party pitched their
camp for the night, she would steal away
for a walk, and would always meet her
lover coming from that direction
Thus they iourneyed day by day, until
one evening they reached the coast lust
rs the glorious autumn's sun was tinging
with gold the tops of the great live oaks,
and fingered before saying good night
The camp was pitched on what we now
call the south side of Brunswick, and, as
usual, Sc Minnie Wassie," for this was her
name, slipped away for her evening stroll.
A few moments after she turned her face
toward the setting sun she saw, standing
under this tree, Netowah,' the idol of
her heart. He pressed her 10 his bosom,
and when the lingering good-by was said
1t was with the understanding that the
"oak" should be the daily trysting place
until the camp should move. There they
met in the autumn twilight regularly,
until one day Minnie Wassie acted rather
ooldly, and the impetuous lover, stung by
her manner, upbraided her with being I'M
true, and they parted in 4 milf. Next day,
Eetowah, still feeling sore and miserable,
Ventured near the camp to catch a glimpse
of his dear one.
There he saw what kindled the fiercest
fame of passion and jealous rage Minnie
Wassie was sitting on a fallen tree, and his
hated rival was stretched lazily at her feet
Netowah did not pause TO look again
He did not know that the old Chief had
hand in the scene he bad lust witnessed
and that Minnie Wassie, while talking to
the hated rival, was at that moment think
ing of him and longing for the evening
shadows TO lengthen, that she might steal
back to his bosom and tell how sorry she
had been; that she was penitent for the
misery both had suffered.
He thought of none Of these things, but
crept back to nurse his jealous rage and
conjure up bitter thoughts of her who had
promised to be his bride. That evening
Minnie Wassie came earlier than usual
A sorry smile wreathed her face when her
glance fell on the frowning countenance of
her lover-she was ready TO make up and
be happy,
But he foolish boy, would not see the
devotion that beamed from those dark
and liquid eyes.
His first words were harsh and upbraid-
ing. They cut and stung her very soul,
and the warm words were checked and
frozen by womanly pride. She spoke
coldly and turned to go.
For a second Netowah stood with
soowl-in that second he lived an age In
blind, sheer madness he saw the bright
blossoms of hope that had filled his heart
all wither and die in an instant She who
had been so dear and whose life was now
q !.