The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-06-07

FROM the Hartford Democrat.


From the Hartford Democrat.
Many years before the white man came
to America, there dwelt on the west bank
Of the Susquehanna dusty maiden whose
fateful history viii always be intimately
associated with that picturesque river.
Hanna was the daughter of an Indian chief.
and being the possessor of great beauty,
was naturally the belle par excellence of
the forest But not all the rich skins and
beads Of wampum which were laid at her
feet, nor the parental command, could in
duce Hanna to become the bride of any
warrior in her fathers tribe For love is
not made to order, and her affection had
long since been given to young Susque,
the chief of a hostile tribe living on the
opposite bank of the river. So bitter was
enmity between the two tribes, that Hanna
dared not tell her father Of her love, and
in order to avert suspicion was obliged to
feign pleasure in the attention paid by his
subjects Still the maiden heart was the
sad, and Outlines at night when all her
tribe were sleeping, she would steal down
to the river and give vent to her feelings
by calling sSusqIe Susque p The
Indian sense OF hearing was always acute,
and her cry borne out over the waters
would reach the ear of Susque, who was
generally watching and listening on the OPP
posite shore. Immediately there would
float back the joyful answer, "Hanna,
Hanna r Soon Susque's canoe would be
seen gliding across the river, and wading
out to meet him would go pretty Hanna.
Then for brief hour the lovers would be
happy in each others society. Unfortu
nately this state of things could not last,
and one night Hanna was stealthily followed
by young brave, who actuated by jeal-
ously had frequently watched her steal
from the wigwam. He overlook her as
she reached the river bank and called Sus
que. Enraged at thus having his sus-
picious confirmed, he grasped the girl s
arm, and fourishing his tomahawk was
about to strike, when his attention was di
verified by the sight of his rival s canoe
coming rapidly towards them.
Hanna also saw her lover approaching,
and wrenching away her arm, sprang into
the river to meet him. But, alas the
tide was strong and swift, and exhausted
by fright, the poor girl was unable to swim.
She sank beneath the waves, to rise only
once, when stretching out her arms, she
cried in heartrendering tones, "Susque
Susque p
In vain-a storm which had been brew
ing now broke over the waters. Dense
clouds obscured Susques vision and he
could do nothing. When all hope was
ended, the young chieftain returned to his
people, brokenhearted man. He never
ceased to mourn his promised bride. Other
tawny skinned maidens had no charm for
him; the pleasures of the chase tempted
him not All day he would remain in his
wigwam, but at night he would wander
along the river calling Hanna ! HANNAH
Death, however, was merciful and soon
drew near to Susque. One day, when he
felt the loosening of the silver cord, he
gathered his warriors around him and babe
them farewell, saying: "The Great Spirit
calls. Beneath yonder river Hanna waits
for me. Two moons ago, I saw her face
in the water and she beckoned me to come.
When Manitou calls again, put me in my
canoe on the river, that [ may go with
Hanna to the happy hunting grounds. :
A few nights later, Susque, with glad
smile, pointed to the river, and the men OF
his tribe, understanding the sign, put him
in his canoe and sent it adrift. The little
skiff seeming to know Its mission, went
direct to the spot where Hanna had last
been seen. There it paused, and then the
watchers on the shore beheld maiden's
form rise from the waves, and heard the
joyful cries, aSusque 'Susque r sHan-
ma | Hanna 2 Thus were the Indian
man and maiden at last united
Mourning deeply the lovers untimely
death, the two tribes laid aside their ami
mostly, united under one ruler and were
henceforth known in history as the ''Sus
auehanna' tribe of Indians. In order to
perpetuate the memory of the lost ones, they
gave the same name to the beautiful river
beneath whose waves the lovers rest. And
to this day, the white man, as he traverses
the land which was once the home of Sus-
que and Hanna, fancies he can catch faint
echoes of this Indian tragedy. While the
river, gently flowing past this spot, seems
to be singing a requiem for death through
love-