The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1902-06-19
The White Stone Canoe.
From Tales Of q WlSxam," by Henry Row,
Sehooleraft,

young girl, who diedNsuddenly on the
day she was to have been married to
q handsome young man. He was
also brave, but his heart was not
proof against this loss. From the
hour she was buried there was no
more JOY or peace for him. He went
often TO visit the spot where the wo.
men had buried her, and sat musing
there, when, it was thought by some
friends, he would have done better to
try to amuse himself in the chase, or
by divertin2 his thoughts in the war
path. But war and hunting had
both lost their charms for him. He
pushed aside both his war club aud
his bow and arrows.
He heard the old people say that
there was a path that led to the land
of souls, and he determined to follow
it. Heaccordingly set out one morn
ing, after having completed his prep.
arations for the journey At first he
hardly knew which way to go. He
was only guided by the tradition
that he must go south. For while
he could see no change in the face OF
the country, Forests, and hills, and
valleys, and streams had the same
looks which they wore in his native
place. There was snow on the
ground, when he set out, and it was
sometimes to he piled and matted on
the thick trees and bushes. At
length it began to diminish, and
finally disappeared, The forest as
sumed a more cheerful appearance,
the leaves put forth their buds, and
before he was aware of the complete
hess Of the change, he found himself
surrounded 10y spring, He had left
behind him the land OF snow aud ice.
The air became mild, the dark clouds
III winter had rolled way from the
sky; pure field Of blue was above
him, and as he went he saw flowers
side ms TUrtt, ITd heard The songs
Il birds, BY these signs hc knew
mat he WAS going the righr nv. frr
they agreed with the =" .;l..s -!
his tribe, At length he cspio 'rra'
1t led him through a grove, tn, up
Al long and elevated ridge, Oh the
very top Of which he came To a lodge.
At the door stood an old man with
white hair, whose eyes, though deeply
sunk, had a fiery briliancy. He had
a long robe OF Skins thrown loosely
around his shoulders and n staff in
his hands.
The young Chippewayan began to
tell his story, but the venerable chiel
arrested him before he had proceeded
to speak ten words, II have expect
ed YOU he replied, "and had Just
risen to bid you welcome to my
abode. She whom YOU seek passed
here but few days since, and being
fatigued with her journey rested her.
self here. Enter my lodge and be
seated and | will then satisfy your
inquiries and give you directions for
your journey from this point" Hav-
ing done this they both went forth to
the lodge door. you see yonder
gull, said he, "and the wide stretch
ing blue plains beyound. 1t is the
land OF souls. You stand upon its
borders and my lodge is the gate of
entrance. But you cannot take your
body along. Leave it here with your
bow and arrows, your bundle and
Your dog. You will find them safe
on your return" So saying he re-
entered the lodge, and the freed trav-
eler bounded forward, as if his feet
had suddenly been endowed with the
power of wings. But all things re-
tanned their natural colors and
shapes. The woods and leaves and |
streams and lakes were only more
bright and comely than he had ever
witnessed. Animals bounded across
the path with Il freedom and a con
fidence which seemed to tell him there |
was no blood shed here. Birds Of |
beautiful plumage inhabited the
groves and sported in the waters.
There was but one thing in which he
saw very unusual effect. He motto
ed that his passage was not stopped
by trees nor any other objects. He
to walk directly through.
They were, in fact, but the souls or
shadows of material trees. He be-
came sensible that he was in land
When he had Travelled half
Il ~ L., -