Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-03
The Legend of blowing Rock.

II was long before the palefaces had
appeared on American soil, bringing sor-
row and poverty to the aborigines.
Therefore. when this circumstance oc-
Cured. Osseo the chief OF the Cherokees'
was rich in domains, Of which 1t was his
boast to say that within its confines
there was 50 much game that not even
the humblest member or MS numerous
tribe ever lacked for the greatest ablnd-
ance OF yenison, fish, and fowl Ana
Geche Mantle, the Mighty, had given him
one present, which, as much as he loved
his power and his subjects, he esteemed
more than all
The Great one had given him daugh-
ter. who possessed eyes like twin stars
glossy tresses as black as the raven
wing. and a sylph-lke form, the very IN
coruation Of grace and suppleness. The
chief. her father, gave her the name
OF Venouah. "as the first born OF his
daughters" but the whole tribe knew
her only by the poetcal cognomen Of the
Princess STARLIGHT. When she had ar
rived at the age Of l6, when Indian
maidens are at the height OF their dusky
beauty, many suitors came 20 claim her
/ hand. but the chief adored her, and
wished to keep longer with him the beau
tifm princess. whose voice was Ike unto
sweetest music.
Ioath was he 10 part with the slender
maiden, who alone OF all his children
| feared him not when the blood Of his
/ savage ancestor boiled within his veins
when he had taken captive an enemy;
! the one being who could turn him from
! cruel vengeance. and incline his heart 10
mercy, that gentle quality OF which
| Shakespeare says: "'Tis mlghtiest In the
] mightiest. and the throned monarch bet
/ ter than his crown" Osseo, therefore. re-
| fused all offers for the hand Of lovely
| Wenonah until one day the princess
| stood before him saying:
80, chief and father. pray you appoint
! some means by which may wed, for It's
not NJ that thou shouldst wait until 1
| have grown old and ugly. till thou shalt
| have to beg for suitors for the hand
/ which IS now hUmbly entreated for!'
"And hast thou grown tired OF thy
maldcnhood, O. my lily, fairest OF my
| children? Dost thou wish some stranger
| brave 10 rule over you, you, my starry
eyed, proud WenonahY
80, august father, I yearn for love
only. and so great is that yearning that
! / will sacrifice all TO gain It,"
80 be It then; I must prepare 10 bid
! you farewell. but now, 80 70 your wig
wam."
sho bowed TO the ground and glided
/ from the counci-room.
Then the chief sent messengers with
wands Of willow. far and wide. proclaim
/ ing that the Princess Starlight was now
| sufficiently old 20 we'd the brave whom
| she should chose after each had pleaded
/ his cause, on the verge OF a precipice.
/ which looked down hundreds Of feet upon
a valley. through which a winding stream
wended its way. Soon the whole plain
| was covered with wigwams OF the suit
| ors. There were w-Puk-Keewis, the
| graceful dancer; Chibiabos, the sweet
musician. and many, many more. but
Kwasind, the bravest and hanGsomest OF
them oil alone found favor in the sight
Of Osseo, the chief, and his daughter
First Of all the suitors came Paw-Puk-
Keewis, the enyious. and whispered in
the ear OF fair Wenonah a falsehood.
"Kwasind loved another maiden. In his
far-off land there dwells q fair woman
his deserted bride"
Wenonah hid her anger under a calm
exterior, but was none the less enraged.
She loved him, the handsome Kwasind,
and felt all the pangs OF Jealousy When
Paw-Puk- Keewis left her. then came
Kwasind. To his passionate entreaty,
his eloquent plea, the princess haughtly
replied:
Sooner would I see you die than choose
you as my husband"
Then my life is OF no value 10 me.
See how / love your And, with a loud
cry, he leaped over the slender barrier
OF stones which bordered the precipice,
and down. down, he fell, on. on. hundreds
OF feet. Then the maiden. wildly peni-
tent shrleked:
60 Mudjekeewls. thou, the West Wind.
bring my lover back 10 met o, Shawon-
dasee. gentle South Wind, bear him Up
with your strong arm! And the two
mighty brothers, the winds. heard her,
and. moved by her grief and beauty, blew
him back 10 the spot where Wenonah
had thrown herself face downward, sob
bling and enteating the winds TO hear
her prayer. And when the loving Kwa-
sind lifted her and showered kisses on
her lovely head, she laid gently passive
her form supported by his arm, and soft
ly sweetly whispered: MY love, my
Lord. forgive me. and I will follow thee
forever, and TO the ends OF the earthP'
RoSALIE GARNETT WARD.
Abingdon. Va.
Blowing Rock IS situated in thu north
western part OF North Carolina. The
rock from which the village takes its
name IL about three miles from II, and
commands an extensive view OF the sur
rounding mountains. When you throw
any light article over the cliff, IL is blown
back. From this popularity arises this
Indian legend.