Algonquin Indian Tales

st of the Two Maidens-His Choice-

nk she was a first-class story-teller. For if she had been she ought to have been able to answe

t their tongue tips. But as yet she was ignorant in this matter, and therefore fell considerably in the children's estimation. Alary was somewhat hurt by noticing, perhaps for the first time, Sagastao and Minnehaha whispering confidentially to each other. The children conversed with Mary only in her own language, which at that time they perha

Sagastao spok

unless you tell us better stories, and ones which you know a

until the brief summer would have passed. Not so, however, thought the children. They saw their advantage and were resolved to keep it, and when their lessons were over and they

agrant Indian grass. They were for a time much interested in the various wild birds that then were so numerous and fearless. Beautiful gulls of different varieties were there nesting, and by following Mary's di

story!" cried the child

uisitive spirit of childhood, noticing the ceaseless rustling movements of the leaves in

aves on the other trees are so quiet tho

legend, and at once p

ful spirit who dwelt in the region of Spirit Lake, where they say it is always sunshine. Many strange things have been told about them, but everybody says they are kind-hearted, and never did anything to injure any of our people

ith the two girls, and knowing, of course, that he could only get one of them he found a great difficulty in making his choice. He had already gone to the girl's father, and after finding out from him the price demanded for his daughter, without mentioning which one, very quickly by his magic powers he obtained the heavy price and laid it at the father's feet. Both of the girls seemed equally pleased with him, and each one secretly hoped that she might be the object of his choice. Still he hesitated, and althou

poor and aged Indian, and came to the home of these two beautiful sisters, and asked for assistance. Wakontas chose a time whe

tled at thus suddenly seeing this rough-looking old beggar-man in their midst. The selfish, proud girl, w

he was aged and hungry. S

old man to her side of the wigwam she seated him on a rug of deerskins and then built up before him a bright fire. Then she quickly brought in venison, cooked it nicely, and gave him the broth for drink and the meat for food. He thanked her gratefully, but she

h Misticoosis was talking as hard and as fast as she could against such deeds of kindness to all old people. In her

d his thanks to the kind si

he time in fixing herself up in the most elaborate manner. She had lately become quite jealous of her sister, and she was resolved to so o

do will be to have a good dinner ready for them all.' So, only taking time to comb and brush her luxuriant hair and make herself

ly cooked before she heard the happy shoutings of her youn

se, the sight of their lover excited the two girls. Misticoosis, who had spent all the hours in arraying herself in her finery and adornment, boldly thrust herself to the front, and crowded out the mo

he had on his feet the same beautiful moccasins that, not many hours before, Omemee had given to

for the old man and anger that he should have been left to live so long. But Omemee, kind-hearted Omemee, pitied the poor old man. She made him sit down on a couch of deerskins, that he might rest his tired limbs. She built a

ful moccasins, t

y choice. Two beautiful maidens for a time divided my heart. There is no di

the unbeautiful aspen tree, while her tongue shall be the leaves that will never again be still even in the gentlest breeze. The l

mazed and ashamed at the words he spoke, became rooted

r to the maiden of his

e tender, the kind-hearted,

arms, and Omemee sprang toward him. For a m

he beautiful home of Wako

Omemee transformed into a beautiful dove and the hunter as quickly assumed the same lovely form. Together they ar