The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-09
THE INDIAN SUMMER.
WHAT IS The REAL ORIGIN OF
THAT PHRASE.
The northern Lessnd contras'eo WIZ"
,he Earlier Southern one-whst = Time
I had wrestling With the Muse
The Result.
For the Times.l

HAD wrestling With the Muse
The Result.
For the Times.l
Dnrinr the past few days we have had
delightful taste OF the season when natur'
seems 10 hesitate between the warm en-
braces Of summer and the cold bonds
winter. The trees, which two weeks ag'
were gayly dccked in honor Of the genera
harvest home, have taken on their sombr'
hues. and their scantily-clad branches beai
witness % their unselnsh efforts TO protect
fb, roofs Of tender shrubs and grasses from
the visitation Of cold rains and sleets and
colder winds. The nights are frosty, The
sky at evening is beautifully tinted by the
sun. and the smoky haze, which almost dis
appears at midday. rises thick about the
horizon in the morning and afternoon, and
rcddcns the sunlight, which seems TO fall
slanf-wise across the withered grass. Ma
fYre though motbcriy matron, has not
laid aside the cOyness Of her maidenhood
IN leased for a brief period from the clutches
ofthc cruel, lusty kabibonOkba by the dex-
frritv ot her champion, Shingebis, she turns
ur4cr0illv towards the summer home OF
~hawOndassc, the South wind. He has
Withdrawn his pipe, and though its heat
can scarcely be felt, she enjoys the perfume
of his smoke which fills the air, and by It's
dreamy influence produces IN man, beast,
bird. and insect the lassitude OF spring.
Man Tor time has tendency 10 return 10
flp indolcnl careless life OF his original
.a,aper, and To become natural again.
While Indian summer continues every
ao.ly and everything will enjoy it, for at
most b b.. uncertain and short-lived. The
..i.,io of hetcrm is doubtful. The weight
..fonini,p. strengthened by custom, inclines
fn fbo belief that the pleasant, baliny
,y.atbri i'm q, tObcr or November succeeding
fhc first heavy irOsts ana rams, Is caIled
Indian summer from the custom OF the IN
dions Gathering "a that time their late crops
ond l,,iny by stores for winter. or because
tb,f season. the south wind blowing, the
Indians attributed the delightful change to
fbo fnf,rpo-itiOn Of one Of their iaVOrite
dDifie.. Who controlled that wind. Such Is
,ba theory which has been generally adopt
al and p0rpotuated IN American literature.
Another explanation was offered IN 1856,
t,...nft .f,vO wears before HiaWatha appear
al. hy samuel kercheval, who had spent
many wears travelling about the Valley OF
VIRGINIA. and who Incorporated the tales,
traditions and facts whick be collected in a
volume descriptive Of that region. His
theory. really more tcnable than the first
mentioned one. carries one back TO the
fima when whites and Indians con-
tended for the exclusive possession OF
fle valley prairies and Woodland
when men carried their arms TO church
.rlfh them. and were anxious for the safety
OF their Monies and families when for any
csI.e they were absent. At that time
ouly the severity of winter guaranteed the
settler. security from Indian attacks. In
Ola. sprin. ana early fall the pioneers were
OBLIGED ny fear of savages 20 remain within
the narrow confines of the fort, but when
winter approached they removed 10 their
cabins and engaged busily in preparations
far fna cold weather But, as hercheYal
wrote. at sometimes happened after the
auulreut onset of winter the weather De-
came warm, tine smoky time commenced
and lasted for a considerable number OF
llt-. This was the Indian summer be-
.lr~e 10 afforded the Indians another OPP
I.r,uuity of visiting the settlements with
fH.lr destructive warfare 1t this be the
.rur origin of the term, distance has verify
liant au enchantment 10 it, and one can well
CONGRATULATE himself with the reflection
hint he was not obliged 10 associate the
charming. peaceful season with its terryiy-
n-. warlike baptism.
Far some years / tried 10 harmonic If
IfiIN inc TWO fONIitiiil- lRfAiN I'll VI
O. Indian summer. Finally appealed TO
fine Muse, and after much entreaty and
d..p devotion she allowed me TO evolve the
fUoWingye verses. inlwhich naturally because
more easily. I framed the Virginia legend IN
fh.metre of Longtellow's poem;
.ylieu the peaceful shenandoah
Nafcrcd rich. primeN0l piairles,
When the Valley Of Virginia
VA. the battle-ground for red men,
.Ienllue for their lost possessions,
struggling yainly with the White men,
'rnru was nlmcd the Indian summer
named I'D fear, Boa grief, IN anguish.
pnrlur carry DAYS of autumH,
I'm. the utln was fully garnered.
Indians W eyed relentless warfare,
Flcrcc with rage and desperation.
i,ut when frost with lcy fingers
Sci tine woods uglOw with color,
CAVE the gum "a blush Of crimson
YcuJwcd hickory and chestnut,
Ifu>nod fne melody of song birds,
,rofra mountains fled the warriors,
ro fne distant Alleghanles'
.IlDr. f0 harbuf thoughts Of vengeance.
Hlrrtssed settlers left their strongh0lds'
~ourUf the long neglected hOanestcads,
mid aside tbe trusted ilint-locks
Drove the cattle into barny0fd,
Harvested tIcir scauty corn crops,
.f.II.I with foy the struggling snoWflakes,
qneu fhe south who'd, Gently blowing,
Br0urht the droWsy, smoky period,
Mn d an nature Still q. shiysr
from the first cold touch OF winter,
smiles agaiu 10 greet the sunshine,
-.f-I rei bv haze and Vapor.
Y.t fue warmth rs Of the spring time
tIff.l the settlers heart with terror;
10. fng lndians, fast returning
Irlfn thcir lodges so the mountains
Frurn the distant Aliezhanies.
T.IuDon delenceless women,
r.rI in- tomahawk inhuman.
fifrr tnclr .lts with reek ing scalp locks,
.isNr the torch 10 barn and DWELLING,
Carried maidcus into bOndags
W.f.. them death, though death were Oltter'
Named with bloc the Indian summer.
Im hath .dden all the horror.
tln.. attached t0 later fdll-time,
Though it's impress stu may niger
.n flr influence 10 sadness
Nfthrdte my, tender season,
-.., ny .Wret-VOiced Northern minstrel,
b.. ,-ltu rel men have departed
f,f, the sunset country,
ii..Ds.Iofau their ancient birthiights'
II.. have memorial endless
Iut.rfmeof ni 'ter-sweetness.
Iu urdl,s Of flying autumn. ,,-....,,,