Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-11-13
THE LEGEND OF
CAMERON'S CONE

r IKE those OF us Of little faith who
- followed through the years the
Chosen Race was brave when smiled
the Manitou, and laughed and played
with happy hearts But when he hid
his face among tho mists, and sent no
word unto his people, they waxed
afraid nor dared to chase the deer nor
plant the maize until the clouds were
parted and HIS face smiled forth again.
For they were small Of faith and knew
not how TO do their work unless they
could see before them ON the Peak the
face OF Manitou.
So they sent an embassy unto him
to pray that ever they might have his
face In view. unhid by mlsts or clouds
by day resplendent In the golden
light OF the creative sun, at night
bathed In the radiance Of the silvery
moon.
Four ancient chisftains. bold Of
heart and purified by fasts and holy
rites. they chose to take the message
mp the mount that rose 70 heavens
gate. But Manitou was wroth when
he beheld this ancient four who dared
to tread upon the image OF his face
And anger seized him when he saw
how small the faith they held In his
good works; and In his heart a mighty
anger rose. and clouds turned black.
and storms came down the Peak. and
In his anger he seized upon the thun-
derbolts and hurled them toward the
earth.
In deepest darkness all the land wns
wrapped save where the flames ran
down the mountainside. Terrific
winds were loosed to do their harm,
and scourged the trembling plains
with binding dusts. The rain fell
through the darkness and a gricvous
hall fell on man and beast. And with
gigantic sounds the hills were rent In
twain. while the Chosen People hid
themselves In the valleys and the
canyons to escape the rage Of Manitou
For four days the mount was hid
from human eyes. At last tho storm
was spent. The Manitou seized aud
bound the winds, and all the thunder
bolts were laid away, the sun came
out once more and through the clouds
the distant summit of the sacred
mountain was bathed In light and sun
shine once again. But those who
looked were stricken dumb with fear
The summit Of the mighty peak wal
gonei
The Manitou. so the fathers say, had
in his wrath snatched up the mighty
peak, and breaking on It's summit
cast Il down the slope upon the head
Of the ancient chieftains there, bury
ing them In rock and earth where the,
stood. half way 'twixt summit an,
the plains below. And AZ II fell 4
formed another mountain not neari,
so high as the sacred mount. but blacl
with FIRE and rain. Twisted and tori
II lay there where II fell. hurled from
the hand of Manitou himself az pun
ishment to those Of little faith whit
sought to climb from earth to HEAVIER
that they might make their wishes
known TO him who was their father.
As for the peak which once bad LEO
to heaven--no longer tall and stately
did Il show. but torn and twisted
blackened by fire. Its rugged sides I'm
possible to climb. No longer could
the Chosen People look up and ses
the face Of Manitou. but only a noun
tain, vast In its greatness. stretching
fits head to heaven. but falling short
OF that great goal. And since that
time the Manltou. still In the heavens
sees no more Of earthly things No
longer can his people. In their faith
climb the peak TO talk with him. but
each must wait his turn to pass be-
yond the riains into the happy hunt.
ing ground above.
The peak IL there. pointing the way
TO heaven. but shutting on all hope
Of climbing to the hunting ground
above.