The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-01-10
"THE TRAILING ARBUTUs."
Contributed to the Howard Literary
Club by 'sBen Ardys."


Some time ago I came upon the fol-
lowing beautiful legend. which was
written by Representative c. E. Bel
nap OF Michigan and read in his absence
by DR.. Bolton, at a meeting of the
American folklore society, held at
Washington, D. c.
1t is called Legend Of the Trailing
Arbutus"
On the south shore Of Lake Superior.
in the vicinity of Pictured rocks, grows
to perfection that dearest and sweetest
of all wild flowers, the arbutus. The
plant that the most skillful florist, the
plant that the tender, loving touch or
women even cannot cause to grow in
hot house or garden.
There were two things that the
learned white man does not understand
the Indian and the arbutus.
From time TO time sitting by the
campfire in the evening, 1 nave been
told of the creation Of many animals
and birds by the great MannaboOsha
and his captains, the Manitos. And
this is the legend as told me of the ORR
gin or creation of the arbutus:
1T was many, many moons ago there
lived an old man alone in his lodge be
side a frozen stream in the forest; his
locks and beard were long and white
with age. He was heavily clad in fine
furs. for all the world was winter, snow
and ice everywhere, the winds went wild
through the forests. searching every
bush and tree for birds to chill, chasing
evil spirits DER hill and vale. and the
old man went about searching in the
deep snow for pieces of wood to keep
up the fire in his lodge. In despair he
returned to his lodge, and sitting down
by the last few dying Goals, he cried
to MannabOosha that he might not per-
iSfo ND he winds h1avr side the door
Of the lodge and there came in most
beautiful maiden. Her cheeks We're red
and made of wild rose; her eyes We're
large and glOwed like the eyes of fawns
at night; her hair was long and black
as the ravens and il touched the ground
as she walked; her hands We're covered
with willow buds; her bonnet was a
wreath Of wild flowers and her clothing
of sweet grasses and ferns, and her
mOccasins We're white lilies, and when
che breathed the air of the lodge be
came warm.
THE old man said: My daughter,
am glad to see you; my lodge is cold
and cherries, but it Will shield you
from the tempest Of the night; but tell
me who you are that you dare to come
to my lodge in such strange clothing?
Come, sit here and tell me Of thy coun-
try and thy victories. and / will tell
thee OF my exploits, for 1 am Mantle.
He tehen filled the two pipes with to-
bacco that they might smoke as they
talked. and when the smoke had warmed
the old mans tongue he said:
" I am Mantle. I blow my breath and
the waters of the river stand still
50 shake my CUrls,' said the maiden.
and warm rain falls from the clouds
THE old man said: When / walk
about the leaves fall from the trees At
nv command the animals hide in their
holes in the ground, and the birds get
out OF the water and fly away
THE maiden said: When 1 walk
about the plants lift up their heads,
the trees cover their nakedneSS with
many leaves, the birds come back, and
all who see NE sing. Music is every
where
And thus they talked and the air be-
came warm in The lodge. The odl man s
head dropped upon his breast and he
slept Then the sun came back and a
blue bird came to the top OF the lodge
and called: 'Say-ee, say-ee, am thirs-
ty:' and the river called back: l am
free. come and drink
And as the old man slept the maiden
passed her hands above his head, and
he began to grow small; streams OF
water ran out of his mouth, and he
soon was a small mass upon the ground,
and then the maiden. kneeling upon the
ground took from her bosom the most
precious white flowers and hid them all
about. under the leaves; and then she
breathed upon them and said: I give
thee all my virtues and my sweetest
breath, and all who would pick thee
shall do so upon Bonded knee
Then the maiden moved away
through the woods and over the plains.
and all the birds sang to her; and
wherever she stepped, and nowhere
else, grows the arbutus."
Ia Tlw