USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 33
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And so one bright morning they peeped up out of the dark mould and the
first things they saw were the cheerful sunbeams, who welcomed them with glad, warm kisses.
The sweet peas were very, very hap- py. They could see the sky with its dreamy, white clouds, and, at night, they could see the bright moon, and the dear old man in the moon smiled so benign- ly on them as he passed over the old barrel, that they dearly loved him, and eagerly watched for his kind face every night. They could see the shining stars, those glittering jewels of the night, that held in place the fleecy drapery of the clouds. But that was all, for the sides of the barrel shut out all else. But here on the top of the ground they found themselves associating with neighborly snails and spiders, ants, wood bugs and even an old toad, who had taken quar- ters in the barrel, and they were content, until one day a pretty bird came and alighted on the barrel, and sung such a merry song to them. He said: "Come up higher still. There is such a beauti- ful world all about you. You are in a barrel. Climb up the sides and peep over the edge."
The sweet peas believed every word of his song, and were greatly excited over it. But they looked at the sides of the barrel, and were afraid, for there were sharp splinters and cruel nails in it, and they felt too weak and helpless to climb so high alone. They must have something to lean upon.
Then the gay bird sung the inost dis- tracting song-why, you never heard the like of it! It seemed he would split his pretty throat. There was such a warb- ling, trilling, chirping and twittering. It was wonderful! But all the time he was explaining matters. Then he flew away up in the sky. The sweet peas had understood him, and tried very
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bravely to do as he told them. They told all their friends of the barrel that they had made up their minds to aspire higher.
Then their friends called an indigna- tion meeting. They passed resolutions not at all complimentary to the judg- ment of the sweet peas. Really, I hate to tell you of it-but they denounced them. My, they even went so far as to call them "cranky!". But I really don't think they called them anything worse than that. If they did, the sweet peas did not hear of it; and, if it had been so, the old toad would have told them, for he was a great croaker.
But the sweet peas did not mind what their neighbors said to them, for their own souls were too full of happiness, listening to the sweet voices calling them higher.
However, in justice to the toad, I will state that he did not vote for the reso- lution against the sweet peas, for he said: "While I don't get in very high society, as I'm not a high jumper. I've hopped about some in this world, and I know we are in a barrel. and there is something else outside, but it suits me here, for it is damp and quiet and there seems to be plenty of stupid flies, gnats and bugs to furnish me a living." And he winked one eye in a very singular manner. He continued: "Of course, those sweet peas had better 'let well enough alone,' but I sha'n't vote to call them 'cranky,' simply because their opin- ions differ from mine, for it is just barely possible that I don't understand every- thing myself." The sweet peas felt very grateful to him, and thought him very wise and dignified, and for a while al- most thought he might be right; may- be they had better "let well enough\ earth-folk at the bottom of the barrel. alone." But they could still hear the
sweet bird voice calling "Higher," an concluded to follow the advice, as seemed to be in accord with what the own natures demanded.
So they crept close to the ugly nai and sharp splinters, and lovingly twine their tendrils around them, and as the were so helpless. modest, gentle an withal so determined to rise, the ol rusty nails and sharp splinters ju helped them all they could on their ug ward way-helping instead of hinderin them.
And as the sweet peas would su mount one nail or splinter, it just seeme to make it easier to climb to the ney one, and, after all, these obstacles serve as the rounds of the ladder by which the ascended to the light. And by the tim they got to the top of the barrel ever nail and splinter was all crowned wit verdure and beauty, for the sweet pea were not ungrateful, and so they woun green tendrils and shining leaves al around them; and even the poor litt! beetles, snails, earth worms and earwigs and the wise old toad who croaked it the corner, had something beautiful t look at.
Well, the sweet peas were almost t the top of the barrel at last; but, oh, hov tired they were! And when we ari tired we are apt to be discouraged. Wha if, after all, they had reached the limit . all things! The pretty bird who had told them so many helpful things had flown away up in the clouds, and the sky might have been what he meant for them to attain to. How could they reach so high as those wonderful cloud. . or shining stars? So, as they could still hear voices below as well as above. and could communicate with all the littk. - they could not help feeling discouraged
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shen they heard them call up to them: "We told you to stay where you were." And they were completely miserable when the old toad croaked at them, he was so large, and seemed so wise, that they felt as if he spoke with authority. But after a while a brilliant butterfly came and rested on the edge of the bar- rel: and he told them there was surely a great and wonderful world outside, and if they would climb just a little high- er they could see it for themselves. Then he told them how he had once been an ugly chrysalis, and how the di- vinity within caused him to burst his - prison bars and develop, his golden wings, and that to all the world he had become the emblem of Psyche, the freed soul.
He said: "There is something more, far more, for you to attain to yet. Your own natures call you higher."
But the listening toad at the bottom of the barrel said: "Oh, don't pay any attention to that butterfly; he is such a flighty fellow." But the beautiful but- terfly had fully reawakened the slumber- ing consciousness of the tired sweet peas, and that night the gentle dews came and refreshed their drooping leaves and weary tendrils, and the next morning they made one more effort. and at last peeped over the edge of the barrel.
Oh, what a transport of joy was there! There was the whole garden filled with Yellow sunshine that God's angels had poured over it.
The glorious summer reigned su- preme. The fragrant roses sent a greeting of sweet odors. The fair, state- y lillies swung their golden censers, and filled the air with heavenly perfume. and all the flowers of the garden wel- comed them with the incense of fra- grance and beauty.
A sparkling fountain sung of pretty woodland streams with deeps and shal- lows, of mountain cascades and gleam- ing waterfalls, of broad rivers, crystal lakes, and even hinted of the great wave- tossed ocean.
Within the fountain sported the sil- very raindrops and golden sunbeams: and, as they rose and fell like glittering diamonds set to music, all around them the little baby rainbows were leaping as they listened to the sweet tones of the softly falling spray.
The spice-laden zephyr; swept over them and revealed the secrets of the islands of the sea, brought tidings of ex- tended plains and great cities, told them of lofty, snow-crowned mountains, with their weird dreams and unfathomed mys- teries, towering in solitude and gran- deur.
And then it whispered to them some- thing so sweet and low that even the bees and birds could not hear; and the sweet peas said: "Yes, yes; we will." and with renewed power the divine life within them expanded, until one day they unfolded a score of pink and white. purple and rosy blossoms, and all the flowers said: "Look at the sweet peas, how lovely they are!"
The bees, who are the best judges of such matters, came and said: "You are so very, very sweet, let us sip of your honey."
With rosy blushes they replied: "Come and dine with us."
And they did. While the bees were supping the sweet nectar offered them by the sweet peas, one of the ugly earth worms at the bottom of the barrel. hav- ing become discontented, as he hali- way comprehended that the sweet peas were living in a higher sphere than he. concluded to get out of the barrel at
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any cost, but as his nature was to bur- row in the earth and. not to climb sky- ward, he burrowed under the edge of the barrel and came up and out into the dazzling sunliglk, for which he was in no wise prepared. It dazzled him into blindness, so that he could not discern his surroundings, nevertheless he attempted to do as the sweet peas had done, and stretched himself up as high as possible, but unluckily for him, a robin who was balancing himself on the barrel, chat- ting to the sweet peas. spied him. Now we all know that the robin is a very quick-witted, as well as independent and enterprising sort of fellow, and in a jolly, good-natured way looks out for number one, but withal is not bashful or easily disconcerted, and generally at- tends to the business of his own sphere in life.
The robin turned his head on one side in a pert and comical manner, as if to say: "Please observe how I get my living, and at the same time rid the. gar- den of such pests as that worm," and down he hopped on Mr. Worm. Mr. Worm tried to retreat, alas, in vain. The robin was too quick for him, and had a firm hold on him, and pulled and pulled. Mr. Worm pulled the other way. At last out of his hole came Mr. Worm, and over on his back, heels over head, went the robin, but the robin had the worm, and, would you believe it, it was the very same worm who had so bitterly de- nounced the sweet peas? Of course, such a scene appeared very ludicrous to the bees, and they made a great buzzing, and the sweet peas gently shook on their green vines, and the robin thought they were shaking with laughter at his clever- ness, but, really, they were so beautiful and happy, that they could have found no time or place for malice, and it is
more probable that a passing breeze stirred them.
On a beautiful green knoll in the gar- den was a very large and stately man- sion. It was built of dazzling white mar- ble, and was of the most graceful and harmonious architecture, and, withal. . magnificent that no language could do it justice. From the center rose a stately temple with a golden dome.
The sweet peas had often noticed it, and desired to know all about it. So, one day, they asked the butterfly what it was. "That," said he, "is the house of many mansions, the dwelling place of the Master. Where you behold the great. towering dome, is His own especial tem- ple. This garden is His; all that you see around you everywhere belongs to Him. It is said that inside the portals of that noble palace there are surroundings of such wonderful grandeur and such en- trancing music, that eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, nor hath it entered into the heart to conceive of anything so glorious. Once in a while there are strains of such enchanting music float- ing out from the open portals that all the flowers bend their heads to listen. I, who have the wings of the soul. can sometimes fly to the windows and get glimpses of such perfect harmony, beau- ty and magnificence that I never tire of telling it to the flowers. Sometimes the . Master sends His servant, who is a dark, ugly-looking fellow, out in the gar- den, to cull flowers to adorn His ma- jestic temple. But His servant is really very kind and gentle, and the flower- he gathers are kept in rare vases of ala- baster and gold. Oh! it is a glorion- thing to be accounted worthy to be chosen to adorn the mansion of the Waster. The Master always chooses the most fragrant flowers, for they are the
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st precious. This fair garden. with " it's verdure and perfume, with its mirous beauty, is only a faint hint of !at is in there." "Oh!" said the sweet :« .. , "how we long to go inside the «"cat temple of the Master."
Then the divine essence of immortal fe within them seemed to pass out on the balmy June air in odorous sighs, like :h:« breath of angels.
I suppose you know that their per- :: me is the soul of the flowers.
The Master gazed out of a window that overlooked all His beautiful gar- on, and said: "Ah! what a touching tribute of love those sweet peas send to me. It comes to me like the prayers from the hearts of the loving. I must have them near me." So He command- rd His servant to cull some of them.
When the servant severed from the carth-bound roots the rarest of them, those that were left behind were sad and lonely, and sometimes wondered. if the butterfly had told them truly; and they onged to receive some authentic tidings from those who went with the dark but Kentle servant of the Master. "
After a time faint strains of soft. sweet music floated to the old barrel. freighted with such divine messages of invisible and eternal things, such deep consola- ton, that the sweet peas were comforted, and they knew why.
And so, all the long, sweet summer, they bloomed in fragrance and beauty, dispensing brightness and happiness to all around them, and often chatted and laughed with the robin, and exchanged sweet confidences with the butterfly, who understood them.
They now knew there were many, - many rooms in the Master's mansion. Some were adorned with roses of love, some with the lilies of purity, some with pinks of happiness, some with pale blue forget-me-nots, some with dark rose- mary and rue, some with deep scarlet passion flowers, some with pansies of sweet thoughts, some with daisies of hope, some with the laurel of glory, some, alas! with bleeding hearts. But, nevertheless, everywhere were entwined the leaves of balm, the olive of peace, and the leaves from the tree of life for the healing of all wounds.
So, often, when the shining stars filled the sky like jeweled lamps, and evening zephyrs were whispering strange secrets. they played through the sweet pea vines like aeolian harps, singing songs of im- mortality; then they would have sweet dreams and get radiant glimpses of far- off, shadowy things of immortal love.
So, in faith, they waited, longed and listened for the command of the Master, who shall not let one little petal of love, purity, sweetness or beauty be lost.
OLIVE STANTON ENGLAND.
RETURN HOME.
Intimation of An Indian Outbreak.
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(Continued.)
On the Spokane we prospected with varying success, and by the latter part "i August we were at the mouth of the l'en d'Oreille.
Here I received by special express six letters; among which was one from Chester W. Terry, then acting secretary of the territory, in the absence of Nes- mith. By Terry, in particular, I was
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urged to repair to the capital, as I would be needed in the war that was likely to come. In all the letters I was advised that an Indian outbreak was imminent, and that the miners at Colville should return in a body, and by no means in small parties.
In consequence, I called a meeting of the miners. A large quantity of dry pine wood was gathered and a great bonfire was made, which lit up the country and was seen for a long distance around. By this the miners were invited to the meet- ing, and 66 were present.
It was decided by a big majority to go back. Of course, unless all stayed all must go. Nevertheless, the Hudson Bay commandant ac Fort Colville, who treated me with great consideration, strongly advised me to remain with him. He thought that I could stay and dig gold without any risk. But I decided to return and enter the service if war came.
After the meeting a singular and rather lamentable occurrence took place. The miners, in order to clean out their guns, went out in a body after dusk and shot them off. A man by the name of Esom, who had been in the Whitman massacre and had escaped by hiding in a stack of pea-straw, and was now in the mining camp, happened to be asleep in his cabin. We had noticed that he was very nervous at the meeting, betokening a disturbed mind. At the volley of the . saucily.
miners, which he took for an Indian at- tack. he sprang from his bed without his boots. and in his night clothes, and struck ont at once for the hills. It was several days before he was recovered by the party, and not until' after they had traveled nearly 100 miles; and then he was stark crazy. In the end he was taken to the Hillsboro jail, in Washing- ton county. where he ended his life by hanging himself.
Of the 66 men who left Colville. ( were going to Puget sound and six : Salem. The party for the Sound cho- Anderson and Judge Hays for leaders.
The two parties kept together io some time, but afterward seeing no tro: ble from the Indians, straggled apart At the crossing of the Snake, near the mouth of the Palouse, at the same point where Montgomery had so nearly em broiled us, the Salem party was six miles in advance.
In the party there were now H. H. Myers, John Woolford and David Snod grass, with Danforth, Latshaw and my- self of the original company. Here, again, we almost came to blows, or bul- lets, with the Palouses, and only by reso- lute bearing avoided trouble.
Myers and Woolford were in the ad- vance, and coming to the river were asked by the Indians there about their party. Myers replied that his chief, with a big party of miners, were just behind. I was just coming over the hill, having been detained a little to adjust a pack saddle. So the Indians came to me, in- . quiring if we wanted to cross the river.
Wishing to know their terms, I asked "How much?"
"One horse for each canoe," was their exorbitant demand. They were also looking ugly and impudent.
"Where is your chief?" I asked.
"We have no chief." they replied.
I knew this was a bad sign, but began to look for old Ulitzovsen, who was near.
Then at a signal all the horses were seized by the bits and I seemed to be in the power of the Palouses. However, seeing that only by a show of courage could I escape, I drew a short-barreled shotgun, and, pointing it at the breast 4of Ulitzovsen, I said: "You are chiei. You can command these men. Comt-
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, and them to let me go, and do not you
I was encouraged by hearing Myers ut to Woolford: "Don't let any of them Moot; we are safe as long as he has the
By our sudden drop on the chief the ' indian men were disconcerted, though Hey numbered 75 and we were at a loss. But. just then Latshaw-and Danforth came over the hill and the Indians took them to be the advance of the big party · i miners. Ulitzovsen therefore sud- denly began to grow friendly; the horses were restored and as night was coming 1. we chose a place in the rocky recess
of the bluff for our camp, and Snodgrass was dispatched to take word back to Anderson's party.
Next morning, before Anderson came up, the Indians carried us across the river, and willingly accepted three shirts and an old blanket for the service and talked with us in a most friendly way, praising our courage and affirming what good Indians they were.
Passing through the Walla Walla country, we felt somewhat uneasy, but had no hostile encounter either there or down the Columbia, and finally reached Salem in safety.
H. S. LYMAN.
THE GHOST OF ENCHANTED PRAIRIE.
In1 1855 there was a general Indian war in Oregon and Washington terri- fories. There was a confederation of :carly all of the tribes in those regions for the purpose of banishing or extermi- "ating the "Boston men," as they called the white settlers. Hostilities were com- menced without warning, and some of the outlying and isolated settlements ere almost annihilated. The theater of the conflict extended from Southern oregon to Northern Washington: no ;art of this great area being entirely exempt except the Willamette valley, which was too populous to be attacked until the other sections should be over- come, and portions of the northern coast regions, where the Indians were too Juggish to be aroused.
Intelligence of the outbreak. spread rapidly, and very soon a call to arms was made in all of the settlements, and nearly every man capable for service volunteered for the war. The conflict was exceptionally severe in Southern Oregon. The conditions there were in-
viting for a successful incursion. The physical features are favorable for such a warfare. It is a country of mountains and valleys, and in those days the settle- ments were separated and sparse. The Indians who roamed over that region were a vigorous, bold and warlike peo- ple, and resented the occupancy of their hunting grounds by an alien race. Prior to this, there had been spasmodic up- risings by different bands into which the tribes were divided. but because of lack of unity they had been easily overcome. Now, however, by combining the bands and tribes for concert of action, the sav- ages hoped to rid the country of the hated intruders. Around their council fires, in the almost inaccessible mouti- tains, they had matured their plans, and the secret of them was well guarded. The attack was made before their pur- pose was suspected. The Rogue river country received the first blow. The Rogue river Indians were assisted in this onslaught, in addition to others, by the Umpquas and the south coast tribes.
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probably in consideration of like assist- ance to be given them in prosecuting the war in their territories. The Umpqua valley is separated from the Rogue river country by the Cow creek mountains, and both of these from the coast by the Coast range of mountains. Hostilities had not reached the coast, or Umpqua, at the time the event about to be related occurred. However, experience had taught those early settlers to be prepared for trouble with the Indians on short notice. Places of rendezvous and de- fense were in readiness to which they could flee in time of danger. These - places were usually centrally located and easily accessible. With such precautions, if only short warning were given, the larger part, if not all, of the settlers might reach these places of safety.
By some means, intelligence of the outbreak on Rogue river quickly reached the Coos bay settlement. This settle- ment, as its name indicates, was on the coast. With this news came the informa- tion that a band of warriors was on the way to the coast, and also a rumor that a larger band purposed to cross the Cow creek mountains and lay waste the set- tlements in Umpqua valley.
Being warned of their danger, the set- tlers around Coos bay gathered at their place of refuge and prepared for defense ; but in their distress they did not forget their countrymen in Umpqua. Perhaps they had not been warned of the impend- ing danger. What was their duty in the matter? A consultation was held, and all agreed that a message of warning ought to be sent. Who would undertake to convey it was the next proposition. Im- mediately Enoch Anderson arose and expressed a willingness to go. He was a young man of striking personality. 4 reach about midnight. This prairie, ac- His physique denoted great power of cording to legend, was haunted by innu- merable ghosts. It was believed by the endurance. He was tall, sinewy, lithe
and agile. He was not a stranger to any of those present. They all knew the message could not be entrusted to better hands. His courage had often been tested and never found wanting. When danger called he always answered. En- dowed with an iron will and a vigorou intellect, difficulties were but playthings in his pathway. Although not trained in the curriculum of the schools, his mind was so strengthened and broad ened by observation, reflection and read- ing, that he believed that superstition had no lurking place in it. His world was free from invasion by ghosts, apparitions and all other supernatural agencies. The proposed journey, however, would be the supreme test of courage. The dis- tance to be traveled was about 60 miles by the shortest route. The way was over rugged mountains and through dense forests, infested by savage beasts and possibly by more savage men. Only at wide intervals were there openings in the great woods. The journey would be exceedingly lonely, and, under the cir- cumstances, very trying for the nerves
The best horse in the settlement was furnished him, food for his use on the way was provided, and he was soon equipped for the journey. There were two trails leading from Coos bay to Umpqua. One of them following, as nearly as possible, the summits of ridges and spurs, was less rugged but consid- erably longer than the other, which in- stead of following crossed over them wherever feasible. He chose the most direct route. When his choice became known, many of his friends endeavored to dissuade him from it. This trail passed through "Enchanted plain," which, if he started at the appointed time, he would
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Indians to be the nightly rendezvous of the unhappy spirits of the dead; that it was the wailing place of "cultus" shades, w hose misery was only equaled by their hatred of incarnate forms; that in the night time they came to that secluded and charming spot because it was the nearest approach to the happy hunting "grounds they could hope to attain. At stich times they resented any intrusion from the living, and no Indian would approach it between the hours of sunser and sunrise. Some of the whites were convinced that the belief of the Indians was well founded, for when by chance they had come near it on moonlight nights, strange apparitions had appeared, undefinable forms had flitted before them and mocking voices had answered their calls. Although men of unchal- lenged courage, they confessed a fear vi tempting the shadowy host and would not attempt to enter it after nightfall. Enoch Anderson's mind was too well fortified to be disturbed with such phan- toms. To all of their entreaties he made reply that it was his opinion that the spirit of an Indian clothed with flesh and Mood was more to be dreaded than their foating shadows from the nether world. He smiled at their credulity and adhered to his decision. As soon as the prepara- tions were completed he mounted the horse. good-byes were exchanged and he rode away. It was about the middle vi the afternoon when lie left the settle- ment and entered the forest; and such a iorest only those who have visited the cimbered regions of the Pacific coast can imagine. It was early summer, and not a cloud flecked the infinite blue, but so thickly stood the gigantic trees that carcely a gleam of sunlight reached the trail. Such forests are grand. but the gloom of them soon becomes depressing. Seli-poised and buoyant as Enoch was,
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