USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 34
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the silence and shadows which surround- ed him and the somber pictures of what might occur before his message could be delivered, which would now and again. unbidden, image themselves on his mind, repressed his judgment and quick- ened his imagination. Bye and bye the sun went down and the gloom thickened. Although the full moon coursed her way among the stars, his path amid the trees was profoundly dark, but rapidly and without halt he rode on. He gave rein to his horse, and it instinctively kept the track. Over rugged hill and tangled vale he kept his pauseless way. About midnight he reached the summit of a high ridge, and through an opening in the woods he beheld in a valley before him the famous "Enchanted prairie" re- posing in the moonlight. It was a scene of rare beauty. To our hero who had been for many hours depressed by the gloom and darkness. it appeared like a radiant gem set in the encircling moun- tains. He paused a moment to enjoy the vision. The legend which had given this lovely and picturesque spot such an uncanny reputation came to mind, but was instantly dismissed as a foul defamation of a most beautiful and peaceful locality, for not anywhere was there the slightest indication that this charming bit of landscape was an annex of pandemonium. With a light heart he again went forward down the moun- tain path. As he drew near to this place of light and beauty his spirit revived and all dejection passed away. Cheerful thoughts and purposes for the imme- diate future dissipated distrust and fore- bodings. What a relief to have a respite from the dreary shadows! There he would pause for a little rest and refresh- ment. While reposing his faithful ani- mal might feed on the luxuriant grass which grew in the vale. The base of the
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mountain was nearly reached. The de- lightful resting place was just ahead. All seemed well. The profound quietude was unbroken save by the soft sighing of a gentle wind as it passed through the treetops. No shadow of apprehension was on Enoch's mind, but owing to the strain on his nerves during his long and lonely ride through the wilderness, he was more susceptible to abnormal im- pressions than he was conscious of. As he was emerging from the heavy woods into the scattering timber that fringed the prairie, his horse suddenly stopped and stood as if transfixed with terror. He was convulsed with a tremor of fright. Coaxing and urging would not induce him to advance. Enoch was per- plexed. He had not noticed the slight- est cause for such alarm. No voice or startling sound had disturbed the still- ness of the night. He looked carefully on either side, but nothing which might excite the fear of either man or beast could be seen. He then removed a bough in front of him and peered for- ward into the entrance of the prairie, and there but a few paces before him an ob- ject met his vision which could but ap- pall the stoutest heart. Its aspect was human, but still not human. He had never beheld its like before. Its form was attenuated but of prodigious height. It was arrayed in a gauze-like robe of glistening white. Its face seemed slight- . horse, which heeded no legend, and wa- ly averted, but he caught for an instant endowed with no imagination, seen it first? Then the regular, rhythmic way in which it marched back and forth. to and fro, across the entrance to the for- bidden spot was too real for a phantom. All efforts at disillusion could not bani-': it. No, he could not be mistaken. [: was a veritable form, and no shadow. " to withstand flesh and blood. Logic the gleam of its awful eyes, and they seemed to challenge him with superhu- man fierceness. Enoch was startled. He gazed a moment in a dazed way, and then the dreadful thought flashed upon his mind that this unearthily form was a ghostly sentinel guarding the bivouac of the dead and lost. Ah! the scouted of a shade it was tangible and prepared legend was no shadow after all. The thought was not reassuring. He then might deride and philosophy scorn, but
experienced a feeling more akin to ica than he had ever known. He looked upon it some moments longer in pro found silence, but the fearful presence heeded him not, and with calm dignit marched back and forth, to and fro, rigiy across his pathway. A great awe can over Enoch as in the silence and loneli ness of the great wilderness the convic tion grew that he was indeed confronted by a spirit 'rom the nether world. The longer he gazed the stronger this con viction became. A tremor smote him and a clammy perspiration moistened his brow. An impulse to turn and fly seized him, but his pride and will. even in this dire extremity, had not forsaken him, and they restrained him. To retreat without an effort to advance would be shameful. Summoning all the force his great will, he rallied sufficient cour age to address the weird sentinel. In a loud voice he asked: "Who are you. and what is your mission here?" The silent sentinel heeded not, but continued its noiseless march back and forth, to and fro, across the pathway, but from all around the vale and from many voices came the mocking response: "Who are you, and what is your mission here?" This result was not quieting to agitated nerves. That this terrible form which confronted him was not a creature of the imagination was evident. Had not hi-
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THE GHOST OF ENCHANTED PRAIRIE.
cadaverous features. Each moment the situation became more trying. The strain of a great perplexity was almost distracting the young man. Notwith- standing all this, he retained a measure of self-possession. For a little while he was undecided. The path seemed most effectually blocked with a foe with which he was powerless to cope. The impulse to turn and retrace his steps was almost overpowering, but he was restrained by the thought of the humiliation to which he would be subjected when he met his associates at the fort, and was asked to explain the cause of his retreat. What could he say? How could he explain? He knew that a foe of more than mortal prowess hedged the way, but how could he convince them that he knew? What' evidence had he to present? He grasped the dilemma even under the shadow of the ghostly presence. The taunt would be that he, whose name was a synonym for bravery throughout that region, had been frightened by a voiceless and un- aggressive figure, abandoned a mission of supremest importance, and fled from he knew not what. And what would that one think whose trustful and admir- ing eyes beheld in him the personifica- tion of manliness, courage and chivalry, when she learned that he had been frightened by a ghost, and had aban- doned to an awful fate her sisters in Umpqua? This thought moved him as none other had. It led to a quick de- cision. He would go through then and on that trail or die. It would be prefer- able to perish alone, unnoted, and let his unsepulchered bones bleach in this soli- tary place, than to return with the odor of cowardice upon him and endure the scorn of his foes, the jeers of his rivals and the pity of his friends. With this resolution came the courage of despair. and bracing himself in the saddle he
. . evidence of vision could not be set .le. And those mocking, answering . Wes, were they not emanations from nts which haunted the vale? The «gend was no myth, and at any moment ·ir pale horde might pour forth to wreak vengeance on the intruder. Such were . thoughts which surged through anch's brain. The stress was great. !!! courage was tested as i' never had «en. In all the varied experience of a · Ild: pioneer life, amid scenes of turbu- 'ence and strife, in no situation had his ·urage forsaken him or his eyes beheld ":e object his heart feared. This was a ;rculiar condition. Here at the hour of .. 1night, in the solitude of the mountain vale, remote from any of human kind, confronted by disquieted and perhaps "alignant spirits, what would the out- ome be? The question of what he should do pressed hard. Should he re- race his steps and take the other road · r risk all and go forward? To go back meant a delay of almost two days. The terrible possibilities involved in such de- 'ty arose vividly before him. The hide- ous war cry of the savage, mingled with "he terrified and despairing screams of elpless women and innocent children. " vmed to ring in his ears. Such a das- 'nily thought must not be entertained. Ic must not be false to his trust. He would try again. He raised his voice ''e more and shouted: "O stranger, tom regions unknown, why do you aunt this lonely vale?" "Why do you aunt this lonely vale?" came in a con- ved and mocking murmur from the mairie beyond, but the undaunted and bisturbed figure, with "stately step ·A slow," marched back and forth, to w fro, across the pathway. At the it call Enoch thought he detected a ·what tremor of the attenuated form and + faint but malignant smile flit over its
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applied whip and spur to his terrified animal, and when it as last dashed for- ward, Enoch exclaimed with the utmost power of his voice: "Thou ghastly form that blocks my way, be you fiend or be you devil, avaunt, for my mission brooks no delay!" But the awful presence, with grim indifference, kept its measured and steady pace back ay 1 forth, to and fro across the pathway. But onward rushed horse and rider, the young man with curdling blood and heart almost para- lyzed, but with a determination as sub- lime as ever animated a hero. The dread- ful form is almost reached. With a quickened movement it turned toward Enoch as if preparing to receive its prey. Its eyes gleamed like points of light and glared on him with prodigious wrath and
unquailing courage. The next morsent he grappled it, its long arms stretched out and enfolded him, a cold gauze-like film enmeshed his hands and face. a thrill of horror passed through him, but almost immediately he rallied, and. view- ing himself from head to feet, exclaimed in a suppressed but intense manner. ".1 spider web, by Jupiter!" And so it was. Pendant from a bough of a stately oak was a spider web. It reached from the limb almost to the ground, its gossanier- like threads were wet with the dews or the night, and as seen in the moonlight appeared like a veritable garment for ghostly equipment. the gentle wind swayed it back and forth across the path, and imagination did the rest.
GEORGE STOWELL.
A MYSTERY OF THE DEEP.
The steamer George S. Wright was launched at Port Ludlow, September I. 1863, and immediately entered the coast ing trade. When on her way from Alaska to Portland she disappeared, and although strenuous efforts were put forth, the mystery has never been satis- factorily solved. She sailed from Port- land on her last trip early in January, 1873, coaled at Nanaimo and proceeded to Alaska. Arriving at Sitka she dis- charged her cargo and started on the return trip with the following passen- gers: Major Walker and wife, Lieuten- ant Rogers and servant. Charles Wal- dron, Charles Kincaid. Mr. Sinsheimer, quartermaster's clerk at Sitka, and an unknown cooper. At Tongas, John Wil- liams, of Victoria: S. Millotich and a man named Hogan and his son were taken aboard. From Sitka the steamer went to Kluvok, where she loaded 800 barrels of salmon. 100 barrels of oil, as few bundles of skins and furs and sailed
for Nanaimo, January 25. Her crew consisted of Thomas J. Ainsley, captain B. F. Weidler, purser; John Sutton, chief engineer; James Minor, second engineer; David Noonan. first officer William Price, second officer; P. Claw son. Owen McGough, firemen; Edward Johnson, Archibald Dunn, James Irwin. Gus Proffe, J. Jensen, seamen; Chris. Adams, steward; Pedro Salvo. Jewell Michels, cooks; C. Hevendehi, waiter: Moses Baptist, pantryman; Indian Jin, mess boy; Indian Jack and Jim, coat passers. Soon after the vessel was givet up as lost, the following lines. entitled "She Sailed One Day," were written by Sam L. Simpson:
The sun has set. and all alone A steamer battles with the sea:
Her plume of smoke is backward blown. While 'neath her prow with bodeful moan The conquering wave bends sullenly;
And chill and drear a shadow creeps Along the wild and misty deeps That roll to windward and a-lee.
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ORATION OF GRAND ORATOR B. B. BEEKMAN.
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trh maniac laughter deep and low
Ile coiling waters mock her way;
{ pallid sea-bird. wheeling slow. shtricks to his mother sea below a hopeless flight of human prey: indo'er the wastes of water broods !! « dreariest of Nature's moods, Bereit of all save bleak dismay.
A sudden blenching strikes the sea To windward; and the earful twang of Neptune's trident hums a glee
vị might and wrath and agony. For where the breakers boom and clang, Like flying shrouds from rifled graves, The rended foam drifts on the waves Whence Ocean's slumbering furies sprang.
Into the jeweled arms of night The mad storm leaps, his vap'ry hair Drifts o'er her queenly breast bedight, And quenches all its gemmy light; And down the corridors of air,
'Mong tapestries of cloud, the moon Flits by with white, seared face, and soon Night and the storm hold empire there.
The stricken billows leap away, With trampling thunders in the gale, And staggering blindly to the fray The strong ship starts each bolt and stay; Her cordage shrieks, and with a wail She plunges downward in the gloom Of roaring gorges hoarse with doom- And none alive may tell the tale.
What thoughts there came of home and friends ;
What prayers were said; what kisses thrown Were lost upon the wind which lends Its borrowed wreath no more, and blends
A sigh of trouble with the moan That sadly haunts the restless waves, Forever rolling o'er the caves. Where richer things than pearls are strewn.
They sailed one day and came-no more. All else is wrapt in mystery;
The surges kneel upon the shore And tell their sorrows o'er and o'er; And still above the Northern sea, A pensive spirit, pale and slow.
The gray gull, wheeling to and fro, Keeps watch and ward eternally.
ORATION OF GRAND ORATOR B. B. BEEKMAN Before the Grand Cabin Native Sons of Oregon, June 13, 1899.
Mr. President and Brethren: Not quite one year ago the Grand Cabin of the Native Sons of Oregon was institut- ed and dedicated as a fraternal organi- ration. During the intervening months the chartering of subordinate cabins has "radily proceeded, and the growth and progress of the new order have been most marked and gratifying. In the (Atent of territory covered, in the num- Wwer and character of membership, in the existing fraternal spirit and enthusiasm, the results attained have equaled the most sanguine hopes and expectations its founders, and I therefore extend " you. upon this auspicious occasion of My first annual meeting of the Grand ' abin. my hearty felicitations and con- gratulations upon the splendid success of the past year. The organization has
passed beyond the stage of probation and experiment, and rests today upon a firm and permanent basis. Deriving its inspiration from the present and future as well as from the past, basing its prin- ciples and purposes not merely upon self-interest and individual welfare, but also upon the broader and nobler senti- ments of veneration for our forefathers and love of our posterity, invoking for its guidance and support the inspiriting emotions of love of country and attach- ment to native state, looking beyond fraternal co-operation and beneficiary advantages to the uplifting and ennob- ling of the lives of its members, to the development and welfare of this beauti- ful land so dear to our hearts, and to the inculcation of patriotic sentiments and the maintenance of American principles
MOTTAOD
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OREGON NATIVE SON.
and institutions, it may proclaim the fact of its existence with unaffected pride and confidence in the objects and purposes that have created and inspired it. The cardinal principles and liberal ends of the order afford ample justifica- tion for its existence, in the multiplicity of fraternal organizations, and betoken a permanent . nd enduring fraternity and an institution of large usefulness and benefit both within and without its circles.
But it is well at the very outset firm- ly to fix in our minds that our success as an organization must rest, not upon the exploitation of the adventitious cir- cumstance of birth, nor upon the lofty and high-sounding declaration of pur- pose, but upon actual endeavor and achievement. upon our usefulness and benefit both to ourselves and to the state at large, upon the energetic manner in which we discharge the duties we have assumed, and upon the fulfillment of those obligations enjoined by our con- stitution and which we have pledged ourselves to perform. The incident of birth and pride of ancestry, while en- titled to full consideration, should not alone absorb our attention. Fraternal benefits and beneficiary advantages, "To thine own self be true, while excellent in their way, should not And it must follow, as the night the day. Thou canst not then be false to any man." be permitted to circumscribe the sphere of our activities nor hinder the accom- plishment of larger ends and purposes. Neither the amenities of social inter- course nor the pleasures of friendship, based upon common experiences and feelings, should usurp our thoughts or crowd aside those other objects which we have set for our attainment. The preservation of the romance and history of Oregon's pioneer times, the perpetu- ation of the memories of the days of , apply rigidly the test of our constitu- auld lang syne, the contemplation of tion and constantly to bear in mind that
those manly and womanly qualities. those simple and sturdy virtues, those unpretentious but excellent traits, those plain but sterling characteristics of man- hood and womanhood that were dis- played and exemplified by Oregon's pioneers, the promotion and encourage- ment of the development of the manifold resources of our splendid common- wealth, and the inculcation and cherish- ing of patriotic sentiments, afford an in- viting field for our energies and endeav. ors and an opportunity by which to win and merit, according to the measure of our achievement, general commendation and approval.
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Native Sons of Oregon, if you are but true to the principles of our order, if you steadily adhere to the purposes set be- fore you, this Grand Cabin and its sub- ordinate cabins will achieve a long, use- ful and honorable career. In exhorting you and, through you, your brethren throughout the state, to act well your part and to bring about such happy con- summation, I cannot invoke for your guidance as members of the order a more felicitious precept than that con- tained in those pregnant words of old Polonius :
Whilst our organization is confined to the limits of a single state we have a splendid body of young men from which to recruit its membership, and, as I have already said, a wide field of operation for our activities. It is of vast impor- tance to our usefulness and success that our ranks be swelled and augmented without delay. But in this extension of- membership you should never forget to
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ORATION OF GRAND ORATOR B. B. BEEKMAN.
mere birth within the limits of Oregon is not the sole qualification that an ap- plicant for admission to a cabin of Na- tive Sons must possess. While it is an imperative requisite, a sine qua non, it must be supplemented and accompanied by individual worth and merit, or in the words of the constitution, eligibility re- quires that the applicant "be of sound health, of good moral character, and in- dustrious habits, having some respect- able means of support, and believing in the existence of a Supreme Being."
It is incumbent upon every member of this fraternity, it is your duty and my duty, to our respective cabins and to this Grand Cabin, to carry into effect this salutary provision of the constitu- tion and to establish such a standard of eligibility as will insure a personnel of membership that will be a source of pride to ourselves and a subject of fa- vorable comment by the community at large. As .our principles are high and our objects meritorious, it behooves us that our membership shall be clean, man- ly and honorable.
Again, brethren, we should not forget that our order has been organized upon a broad and liberal basis, and for large and noble purposes. While it is always true that many men are of many minds, it is also true that men of diverse views may dwell together in harmony by the exercise of mutual forbearance and charity. . To avoid contention and ani- mosity, to prevent bickerings and differ- ences, the constitution of our order has very wisely prohibited the discussion of religious and political questions bothi in the Grand Cabin and in the subordi- nate cabins. Let us, therefore, always meet together in amity and leave behind us at the door of the cabin our political alldie and rice shove
partisan and sectarian schisms in our de- liberations and labors. Let us bear in mind the forbearance and charity, the generosity and magnanimity of pioneer days and keep aloof, as an organization, from the strife and turmoil of religious and political contention and dispute.
Having directed your attention to these general conditions and require- ments so essential to success, it may not be amiss to advert to some of the fea- tures of our order that should elicit our approbation and admiration. In cardi- nal principles and declared purposes, in constitution and ritual, the order of Na- tive Sons of Oregon compares very fa- vorably with other fraternal organiza- tions. Even the externals of the order furnish abundant incitation to the novi- tiate. At the very threshold of the cab- in, this homely and unpretentious sym- bol of pioneer days, the name of the hon- ored pioneer which it hears, the latch string ready with its invitation to enter, furnish a strong object lesson and vividly remind him of the qualities that go to make up honest, generous and courage- ous manliness, and suggest the poet's lines :
"Honor and shame from no condition rise, Act well your part, there all the honor lies."
As he draws the latch string and en- ters beneath the hospitable roof of the cabin, his attention is at once arrested by the Stars and Stripes, and as his heart swells with joy and pride at sight of that glorious banner, he pledges him- self to honor and advance the organiza- tion that gives so conspicuous a place to the flag of his country and feels that among Native Sons of Oregon he may never hesitate to exclaim. "I was born an American, I live an American, I shall die an American." And then his eye rests upon the beaver flag, and his
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thoughts are busy with the courage, self- sacrifice, honesty, simplicity and nobil- ity of the liv s of the pioneer men and women of C egon, and then anon with the beauty and glory of the land which it typifies, and all the fond memories of childhood and youth rush o'er his heart and he is glad, with all the fervor of young manhood, that his lot was cast and still remains in such pleasant places. And then, between those two banners, he discovers the great Book of Books, and there lie spread before him upon its sacred pages words which, if he will heed and follow, will not only make him a bet- ter and a wiser man, but will bring him within the influence of that faith in the brotherhood of man. The loftiest emo- tions have been aroused within his breast and he is not only prepared to receive the words of the ritual, but in mood and spirit to appreciate their significance and ready to carry into fulfillment the behests and injunctions that shall be giv- en unto him. The lessons and precepts that are presented in the simple but im- pressive ceremonies of initiation are in fitting sequence to these preliminary im- pressions and constitute collectively a body of rules of conduct of high grade. The cardinal principles of the order, "Friendship, Protection and Charity," furnish ample guaranties of fraternal sympathy and co-operation and afford the widest scope for brotherly encour- agement and assistance. True friendship -the tie that binds congenial souls- must ever be a welcome boon, for it is
"A star
Which moves not 'mid the moving heavens alone,
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A smile among dark frowns-a gentle tone Among rude voices, a beloved light,
A solitude, a refuge, a delight."
In protection we have the supplement
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guard against the ills of life, a bulwark against evil, and an ever-present re- source in the hours of need and trouble. And in charity we may find endless op- portunity for the gratification of gen- erous impulse and kindly feeling, a splendid channel in which to exercise our better natures. Charity, like mercy, "is twice blessed, it blesses him that gives and him that takes," it lifts the heavy burdens of despair, and adds new zest to the pleasant cup of generosity.
"In silence,
Steals on soft-handed Charity, Tempering her gifts, that seem so free, By time and place,
'Til not a woe that mortals see, But finds her grace."
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