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Show LEGEND OF CORN. Indian Story uf tlm Origin of tin Gotrtm sua ii r ".ire. Corn Is tho mot beautiful of all nur native plants, and uiiiuy are thu Ic;-cuds Ic;-cuds twined nbotit lis history. It w.is certainly cultivated by the ludlai long before the coming of the paleface, and they tell a ery pretty story of Us origin. A young brave went out Into the woods to Tast at that period of life when youth Is exchanged for manhood. He built a lodge of houghs In a secluded seclud-ed place and painted his I'-tco a soinbro hue. lty day he amused himself In wnlt'lii;; about looking at the various shrubs and wild plants, and at night lay down In his bower. He besought a gift from Hie Master of Life, and he hoped It would be something to hcuerit his race. On the third day, as he lay Ihere looking up lulu the sky. he saw a spirit come down In the shape of a beautiful youth, diessed In green, and having green plumes on his bend, who told Ii t tn lo arise and wrestle with li'm. ns this was the only way lu which he could attain his wishes, lie did so and found his strength renewed re-newed by the effort. The. visit and the trial of wrestling were repeated for four days, the youth feeling at each trh'l that, although his bodily stteiigth ilecllui',1 a moral and supernatural energy en-ergy was Imparled which promised hint the llnal victory. On the third day his celestial , Isltor spoke to him. "Tomorrow," "To-morrow," s.ihl he, "will lie the seventh day of our fast, and the last time I shall wrestle with you. You will triumph over me and gain your wishes. As soon as you have thrown me down stilp off my clothes, and bury me on the spot In soft, fresh earth. When you have done this leave me, but come occasionally to visit the place, to keep the veeds from glowing. Once or twice cover me with fresh earth." He then departed, but returned the next day and, as he predicted, was thrown down. The young brave obeyed his Instructions tn every particular, nml soon had the pleasure of seeing the gteen plumes of his sky visitor shooting up through the ground. He carefully weeded the earth and kept it fresh and soft, nud In due time was gratllled by beholding the matured plant, bending with Its golden grain, and gracefully wnvlng Its green leacs and yellow tassels lu the wind. He then Invited his parents to the spot to behold the new plant. "It Is mnuda-mln." mnuda-mln." said the father: "It Is the spirit's grain." They immediately prepared a feast,' Invited their fi lends to partake of It, and thus originated Indian corn. Atchison Ciohc. |
