The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-10-22
Indian Legend.

on old man alone in his lodge beside
a stream in the thick woods. He
was heavily clad in furs, for it was
winter, and all the world was covered
with snow and ice. The winds swept
through the woods, searching every
bush aud tree for birds to chill, and
chasing evil spirits over high hills,
through tangled swamps and valleys
deep. The old man went about and
peered vainly around for pieces of
wood to sustain the fire in his lodge.
Sitting down by the last dying en-
bers he cried to Kigi Mantle Wawkwi
(tLe God Of hoaven) that he might not
perish. The wind howled and blew
aside the door Of his lodge, when in
came most beautiful maiden. Her
cheeks were like red roses; her eyes
were large and glowed like the fawn's
in the moonlight; her hair was long
and black as the ravens plumes, and
touched the ground as she walked;
her hands we're covered with willow
buds; on her head we're wreaths Of
wild flowers; her clothing was sweet
grass and ferns; her moccasins were
fair white lilies, and when she breathed
the air of the lodge became warm and
fragrant.
The old man said, my daughter, I
am indeed glad to see you. My lodge
is cold and cheerless, yet 1t will
shield you from the tempest. But
tell me who you are, that You should
come to my lodge in such strange
clothing? Come, sit down here and
tell me of thy country and thy victor
les, and I will tell thee of my exploits.
For I am Manito." He then filled
two pipes with tobacco that they
might smoke together as they talked.
When the smoke had warmed the
old mans tongue, again he said, "I
am Mantle. 1 blow my breath and
the lakes and streams become flint. "
The maiden answered, II breathe, and
flowers spring up on all the plain. "
The old man replied, II brt ne, and
the snow covers all the earth" II
shake my tresses." returned the
maiden, "and warm rains fall from
the Clouds" "When walk about, "
answered the old man, 'loaves wither
and fall from the trees. At my COM
mand tbs animals hide themselves in
the ground, and the fowls ~iEG9.Esake the
waters and fly away. Again, I say, I
ON Manito."
The maiden made answer: "When I
walk about the plants lift up their
heads and the naked trees robe them
selves in living green; the birds come
back. and all who see me- sing for joy.
MUSIC IS eVerJ"Lsre. -
AS they talked the DIR in tho lodge
becama-~armor and more freorant
and the old mans head dropped upon
his breast and he slept. Then tho
sun came back, and the blue.birds
came to the top of the lodge and sang,
we Ill q tilllety. W. dIo bulfSUy
And Sebin (the river) replied, IT an
free; come and drink" And while
the old man was sleeping the maiden
passed. her hand over his head and he
began to grow small. Streams Of
water poured out of his mouth; very
soon he became small mass upon the
floor and his clothing turned towithered
leaves.
Then the maiden knelt upon the
ground, took from her bosom the most
precious pink and white flowers, and
hiding them under the faded leaves
and breathing upon them said: II
give you all my virtues and all the
sweetness of my breath, and all who
would pick thee shall do SO on Bonded
knees"
Then the maiden moved awsv
through the woods, and over the
pIaine, all the birds sang to her, and
wherever she stepped, and noa.hsrs
else, grows our tribal flower A.
trailing arbutus, Simon pokaoo, Ivy, ,s
Chief Of the Pottawatomie Pokoao,
Band, in the Forum. Aaso1
/
The Impulse Vince,
| FppcIIarotta l.