The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-12

x%g46Ezl that rushes from
6A5Q.sHsf'rd Green lake with
aa' KS H I'd as much bravado
,ASTa& "a saliisAf as if it meant to
SGSxs4 do great things
a1[rfEt1T4(f in the world, sub
dues its noisy
babbling to gentle murmurs as it winds its
way in and out among the shadows of the
great, solemn trees. Emerging :rom the
park, it breathes one little sigh that is half
rapture, half regret. and giides onward
under q foOtbridge. outward to the lake.
Tnis rapture and regret at leaving the park
is shared by every soul that claims kim
ship with the forest and waterfall. The
gentle beauty of the stream, the enchant-
ing glimpses of fern-embowered hooks. the
solemn grandeur of trees centuries old
above all. the mystery of solitude pervad.
ing and enveloping all things, fill one with
awe and wonder. and q strong yearning
to know the story of the place.
So felt as wandered solitary among
its trees, or, questioning, sat beside it
waters listening to their murmur. heard
the ancient hemlocks as they whispered
to the young cedars the story Of tho past.
The waters. too, As they tenderly embraced
the growing ferns and grasses. would
chant. In solemn runic measure. the
legends of the cid. Was there no inter.
prefer between . lone human soul and
these thrilling, intense voices of solitude1
Would no kindly spirit Of wood or stream
take pity on my yearning and change its
murmurs into human speechf Thus l
questioned as l lay among the grasses.
while the shadows of June twilight gath
cred around me.
Then out from the darkest shadows OF
clump of hemlocks there glided toward me
figure that seemed to grow in stature az
it advanced. From head to foot 1t was
shrouded in what appeared to be long
flowing garment of darkly-colored air or
mist. The outlines of the face were indis-
tinct, and yet I knew that the features
were strongly marked and copper-hued.
The eyes were large and solemn, emitting
q radiance that iilumined the whole figure.
showing the figure of an old and vener-
able man. InvOluntarily, but with NO
tremor Of fear, I sprang from my messy
seat and bowed low to the strange visitor.
You do WELL" said the apparition. and
its voice was as the sound of distant
waters or of some far away hurricane. ito
invoke the spirit of these woods and
waters. Long, long, have waited here
to tell my story. Again and again have
tried to whisper it to the loiterer among
my glades or along my stream. But it
fell upon dull ears.
"Listen to it, daughter. 1t IL but .
short and simple story. Yet I must tell
it ere 1 may rejoin my beloved, the river.
beyond the mountains"
''Speak," l said. II listen."
The spirit spoke az follow:
Hundreds of years ago, even before my
father had watched the coming of the pale.
faces in their white winged canoes, my
people dwelt on the shores of the great
waters that spread away toward the sum
rising It had been foretold to the n by .
prophet in whom dwelt the spirit of
como and take our hunting ground. and
that We must journey through forests,
across rivers and over mountains until We
should reach the waters of the sunset.
There was no trail through the forests nor
over the mountains. One, the bravest SON
must journey westward. leaving his trail,
and telling all tribes of the wonderful
things that were coming, said the prophet.
Year after year was he to journey west
ward with no companion save the beloved
of his bosom, leaving his message, blazing
the trail, that his red brothers, and after
them the palefaces, might not be lost in
the forests nor 60 astray on the prairie.
Years waved and waned as the message
crept slowly on. Sometimes indeed the
east wind brought to the ears of the young
brave the warwhoop Of his tribe as he and
his beloved journeyed forward. Some
lines he 80 outran his brothers that the
grass of summer and the SHOWS of winter
covered all his footsteps. But the grasses
withered, the SHOWS melted, the red, and
after him the white man, came following
the trail. Still the warrior, growing old
and wayworn. bore the message forward,
nor once faltered nor looked back. Not
pleased the Great Father to scatter his
children here and there over the great
prairie or upon the mountain side. Some
times he travelled far to the northward to
deliver his message and then turn away to
the southw ard, always marking the trail.
More than hundred years ago we, my
beloved and l. stopped in the valley that
lies east of yon snowy mountains. She.
the beloved Miskodred, was weary with
the long, long way, and the weight OF
three centuries was heavy on her
shoulders. So she lay down beside the
river, and its voices sang her to sleep.
Long and sadly I waited beside her pillow,
with rushes and started YEARLY and alone
over the mountains, through the forests,
until tho great waters Of the sunset rose
up to meet me and bid me rest upon my
journey.
'.But found no one to whom to tell my
mes .age, no one to listen to my story or
understand my speech. And when at last
they came first the red and then the white
man. they feared me as a spirit. whether
of evil or of good I know not. Year after
year wandered up and down the land,
But all men feared me and lied from my
approach. So l sought out this sweet
solitude and told my story to the trees
and ferns and waters. told them of the
long, long journey, told them Of the
| strange happenings by the way. sang
to them of MiskOdred, tho beloved. l
taught them the songs that she had sung
as We journeyed together hithefward, for
! thought that when the young white
brave should bring the chosen of his heart
to this bower of beauty they would listen
| TO the voices of the wood and water.
"They came, they daily come, . noisy,
babbling throng, thinking of not one but
themselves, caring for no sound than that
| Of their own voices. understanding no
| other music than the click of the dollar or
the shrill scream Of the iron horse that
| bore them here.
''Sofin Loneliness and in longing have
bided my time. Sometimes Mlskodred,
the beloved, visits me and beckons me
away. She. though her body is sleeping
still beside the river, is lonely. and her
| spirit comes hither seeking mine. Like q
dream she comes to me and wanders with
| me beneath these shadows or beside this