Grant County Herald

(Written for the Herald.]

THE GOLDEN BIRD.

The Story of a Chippewa Maiden.

"Tis dark, 'tis dark without thee, love"-

"Tis but an Indian's cry

"Tis dark, 'tis dark without thee, love":-

But 'tis a maiden's sigh.

Where the cedar red has set its head

By Lake Menominee,

The Chippewas their wigwam raise

Beneath the walnut tree

And there no fairer flower was seen,

Nor sweeter notes were heard

Than this wild, graceful Indian maid.

Or the voice of the "Golden Bird."

From a southern land a stranger came

To hew the northern wood.

He saw her grace, she heard his praise

In the wild free solitude

And oft beneath the starry sky

When the brooklet's song was low

The twain would tell love's olden tale

And feel love's olden glow

By night, by day of him she thought,

Upon his smiles she fed:

The rarest game to him she brought.

With flowers she wreathed his head

O woman's love's a noble thing:

It is no passing breath:

We scarce can tell why it should spring,

We know it is till death.

The raft was made—released it went

Swift gliding down the stream,

And the young man heard in merriment

The Indian maiden's scream.

For what cared he for an Indian child-

And he joked with the laughing crew.

But the "Golden Bird's" wild notes were heard

As from bluff to bluff she flew :

And one long fearful wail she sent

As the raft passed from her view,

"Tis dark. tis dark without thee. love" -

It is a woman's cry

" 'Tis dark. tis dark without thee.love"—

And she laid her down to die.

The grasses wave above her grave,

And the white moon's footsteps o'er her:

But none can tell where the maiden fell

Nor lives one to deplore her.

You lasses who these lines may view

Your young hearts keep and guard.

Until you find a kindred mind

Who can your love reward

Dubuque. June 20. 71

JOHN LAIDLAW