Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-08-30
THE LEGEND OF THE ARBUTUS

'SOme time ago, says GnS CHfOGT-
Sity Review, Congressman Belknap
related, one night at the Washington
Cosmos Club, the following legend of
the trailing arbutus, which he hearl il
the lodge of an aged Indian chief on the
shore OF Lake Superior.
Here, in this country, grows to
perfection thIt dearest aud sweetest of
all wilG-llt w5rs, the arbutus-the plant
that the most skillrul florist cann)t
cause TO grow in hot-house or garden.
There are two things the learned
wliits man does not know-the Indian
and the arbutus. From time to time.
sitting by the camp-fres in the evening
1 have been told of the creation OF
animals and birds by the great Mamma
toosho aud his captains, the ManitOus.
And this is the legend of the origin or
creation OF the arbutus:
"Many, many moons ago there lived
an old man alone In his lodge beside a
frozen stream III the forest. His locks
and beard were long and white with
age. He was heavily clad in fine fu s,
| for all the world was winter-snow and
ice everywhere.
"The winds went through the forest,
searching every nook and tree for birds
to chill, chasing evil spirits DER hill
and vale; and the old man went about,
vainly searching in the deep snow for
ii ces of wood to keep up the fire in his
lo1ge.
''In despair. he returned TO his lodge,
and, sitting down by the last few dying
Goals, he cried TO Mannaboosho that he
might not teIl5h. And the wirds blew
aside the door of the lodge, and there
me In a most beautiful maiden.
Her cheeks we're led, as If made of
| wild-roses; her eyes were large, aid
glowed like the EYES cf fawns at night;
her hair was long and black "a the
ravens feathers. and it touched the
ground as she walked; her hands were
covered with willow buds; on her head
was a wreath of wilf-floWers; her
clothing was of sweet grasses and ferns;
her moccasins were VIII te lilies. ana,
when she breatEed, the air of the lodge
became warm.
"rhe old man said, My daughter,
am glad to see you. My lodge IS cJld
and cheerless; yet it will shield you
from the tempesis of the night. Bu.
tell me WHO you are, that you dare tC
come to my lodge in such strange cloth.
ing. Come, sit here and tell me of thy
country and thy victories, and 1 vii
tell thee Of my exploits, for l am 8
Manitou. 1 blow ny breath, and the
waters of the river stand stlll.'
1.-The maiden answered, Il breathe,
aud the Covers spring up on all the
plants
"The old man said, Il shake my
locke, and snow covers all the ground.
80 shake my curls, rejOined thu
maiden, 'and warm rains fall from th'
Clouds
"'T hen 1 walk about, the leaves fal
from the trees. At my command, th'
anima's hide in their holes In tn
ground, and the wild fowl get out o
the water and fly away, for L an
Manitou.'
'The maiden made answer, when
walk about, the plants lift up thei
heads; the trees cover their nakedne S
with many leaves; the birds come bacE
and all who see me sing. Music !
, everywhere.'
"And thus they talked, and Che al
, became warm in the lodge. The ol
: uan's head dropped upon his breast
and he slept. Then the sun came hack
and the blu, BIRD came to the top of tn
| lOuSo anu Ctiltuy DAY &c, L dll Iuilob
and the river called back, Il am free
tome and drinkl'
LAS the cid man slept, the Made
passed her hands above his head, an,
he began to grow small; streams c
water ran out Of his mouth, and soon
was a small mass upon the ground, an
his clothing turned 10 green leaves.
"Then the maiden, kneeliIg upon th
ground, took from her bosom the mos
precious white flowers and hid theI
about under the leaves, and, breathln
upon them, said:
''I give thee all my virtues and m
sweetest breath, and all who shoLl
pick thee shalt do so upon benGe
knee
o "Then the maiden moved ava
= through the woods and over the plain'
q and all the birds sang to her, an
: wherever she stepped, and nowhel
5. else, grows the arbutus."