Soldan High School - Scrip Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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A .. H, fe v E - .-Y - -Y a-1 , - ,- For three long days and weary nights the maiden traveled, bravely, a lonesome and weary trail. During this time her supply of venison was nearly exhausted, 'for she had found few berries, and her graceful body was made sore and weak for she consistently had refused to listen to the demands of her body for rest. Moreover, throughout the whole merciless march, her heart had clamored for her to admit that she was going to pray mainly for Blackcoat. Nay, she would not admit itg it was her father for whom she intended to pray! i At the end of the third day Soft Wind reached the mountain, and stretching her arms to the pure snow-capped peaks begged the Father of the red-men, the Great Spirit' to guard and take care of Blackcoat and Whitefeather. ' Then Soft Wind fell exhausted and spent at the feet of the Father and slept a heavy sleep until the sun was well up over the horizon the next day. When she finally awoke her dazed mind could not find White Feather, and only after she had called him three times did she remember. Again the wind could be heard rushing sharply through the firs as Soft Wind cried out in dismay. But Indian maidens are brave, so Soft Wind rapidly bathed in the cold stream nearby and then ate the remainder of her venison. As Soft Wind sat by the stream braiding her black hair she looked up at the Father with trusting eyes and said, You will send Black- coat and White Feather home safely. I thank you. It was then that something within Soft Wind snapped, it was then that she stood upg it was then that she started upward, at first unwill- ingly-then eagerly. ' What was this that impelled her to climb arduously up the moun- tain, hour after hour with no one but hunger as a companion while the sharp stones cut her weary feet through the soft prettily embroidered moccasins? Soft Wind could not have turned back if she had willed but she did not will. She was not afraid, only trusting and obedient to this unknown power which impelled her to toil upward and upward without stopping to drink, or eat of the few berries that she might find. With a gasp of delight she came upon the immense, and powerful falls which had been hidden from view, if not from the ear, by a huge pile of massive boulders. The clear water fell like melted diamonds over a sheer precipice or red, green, and blue quartz, and it was to the Indian girl, who had been attuned to beauty, a thing for divine worship. 11

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each time a brave feat was performed, or a brilliant dance executed, or a great endurance shown by some warrior, told herself how much more easily, better, and quickly Blackcoat could have done it. At first Soft Wind thought nothing of this preference because in the main it was true. Gradually, however, it began to dismay her, for she felt that she was no longer being just. Finally this preference divided itself into two component emotions-both much deeper-and they were alternate joy and despair. A sound, like the wind offering sympathy to the fire as it rushed through their tops in the winter, was often heard coming from the lips of Soft Wind those days. This soft sad rushing sound was one that no one but the breeze and the firs of Soft Wind could have made! and one who knows the language of the trees could have read Soft Wind's story in that sigh. Soft Wind could see no reason why she should go to Blackcoat's lodge just because this heaviness was upon her. A tear came to the surface, blurring the vision of the pretty new doe skin garment, but she quickly dashed it away, for Indian maidens are always brave and none have ever been seen crying. Nevertheless, the wind was heard many times more that night rush- ing through the firs before Soft Wind fell asleep. Was it significant that the pallet of spicy pine needles upon which she lay was covered with the huge bearskin Blackcoat had given her father? But then there were happy sides to this strange heaviness of Soft Wind. When these occasional happy spells came, one might have seen Soft Wind in her own little white canoe gaily paddling down the silvery stream that came from the melting snow of Mount Tahoma. Or if one were careful he might have seen her sitting on the fallen body of a giant oak sounding the calls of the cardinal, the pee-wee, the nuthatch, and even the meadowlark, which she had heard before her tribe had moved farther westward. Soft Wind grew sadder as the winter approached, for she knew that if she ever went to Blackcoat is must be soon and she was loathe to give up her carefree happiness to the demands and burdens of a man who loved her. One day when White Feather and Blackcoat, with many other brave warriors, were on an expedition-fighting a neighboring tribe-Soft Wind announced her intention of going to Mount Tahoma, the Great Spirit. She was going to ask the Great Spirit for the speedy and safe return of her father. . After she had pacified the other women of her tribe she finally set out, warmly clothed and well provisioned. 1 0

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ii- H- 3: Q ir A 4 Y :T 'gf Gffr- .1-R A As she knelt there before it, a light was brought to her eyes. She now understood the power that had drawn her, lonely, hungry, tired, and bleeding, up to the mountain. She now understood her unwilling- ness to love Blackcoat, and she understood what the Great Spirit desired. Soft Wind, without realizing it, had discovered that she was one of those few mortals who are of this world, but not in itg who are nearer to the Great Spirits' angels than to his children, who are worldly and yet of ethereal worldliness. The Great Father had seen that she could not adjust herself to this world and in his supremeness of judgment was recalling her. Ah, she was one glad to come, glad to make the sacrifice! Standing up, she allowed her fatigue to fall from her like a veil, and stretching up her arms to the whitecaps said, Father, I am willing. A garment such as the now torn and soiled doe skin could never be worn with grace in the Great Spirit's lodge and so, without a scruple, Soft Wind stepped from the garment and flung herself into the falls. Her descent was slow. With a smile of great peace and joy, her arms and eyes ever raised to the white caps-a symbol of the Great Spirit- Soft Wind went home. Her body blending with the water grew less and less of Soft Wind and more of the melted diamonds until, finally, the last sound was heard from Soft Wind-a cry of delight this time- but ever the wind rushing through the firs. The dusky pearl was seen no more. She had returned to her Father , the Great Spirit . -Lucile Whittom, '8. My Little Fairy 1--M LY little fairy, fly, fin -Nfl i The golden dawn to greet. - Ope' little fairy, ope', S 15 'M His gates the Sun to meet. Come little fairy, come, Your tiny flowers to kiss. Taste little fairy, taste. Their nectar full of bliss. Bring little fairy, bring, Your wand to mend my strife. Stay little fairy, stay, To help me live my life. -Round Table. 12