Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-09-22

.hildhoodss home--around which in
Frightening picture, the
wreath of affection had often tondly
wined.
Twas a gorgeous sunset. Jeptha,
ost in silent admiration at the beauty
IF the scene, had thrown himself back
in his chariot and is indulging in de-
i ohtful reverie, His home came like
a bright illusion to his busy magma
ton, with all its tender and soothing
endearments. But shade passes over
the chiefthin's brow--his lips are COM
pressed and his countenance assumes
livid hue. Fearful and gloomy are his
forebodings, ana he fears what he dares
not utter, as the fatal vow IS recalled
to memory.
But bark! What soft and sllvery
music bursts upon his ear? Enraptur-
ed at the melodious strain, he lifts his
eyes, and 10! a fair and beateous
band is before his bewildered gaze-and
faifest in that lovely group, is his beau
tiful. his beloved, and his only daugh-
ter. Pride and pleasure glow in the
fathers countenance and thrill through
every vein, as he surveys the very idol
of his heart.
She was indeed worthy Of a fathers
love. In all the huoyancy OF youth,
she had come forth with light and JOY
Gus step, to greet the. return of her be-
loved and only surviving parent, with
timbrels and with dancing" She
bounds with childlike playfulness to-
wards the chariot of the chieftain, and
in moment she is entwined in his en-
,, brace. With a kind look of love
she gazed upon the endeared llheaments
of her fathers countenance, and with
iovous smiles welcomes him home.
But again that noble brow is cloud
ed; again does deep End heart-rendlng
sorrow 'rend that chieftain's soul. One
wild and piercing shrek rises IN the
air, and the heart-stricken father BOWS
Vbv that deem EN- and n nnftss nAs IN All al
WY C1lul oCCP Nlio uHuttSldIiC Gil
guish? Conide to me the secret Of
| your scrows, that l too may weep anc
sympathise in all your suferings. Lee
ne be your comforter, and soothe your
troubled spirit.'
"Alas! my daughter" exclaimed
the chieftain, in voice of unspeakable
agony, "would to God | had never
seen this hour which has blighted the
fairest flower that ever bloomed, and
nipped in the bud all the garnered hopes
Of years. Ere proud Ammon's sons
lay strewed in mangled heaps O err Am
mons plain, | solemnly lnelt and be-
sought the Great Giver that he would
guide my hand, and give to his chosen
people victory; then the first of mine
should meet in returning in triumph
should be sacrificed to him."
During the recital, deep anguish was
depicted on his brow, and emotions too
intense for utterance swelled her bos-
ON. twas but for moment. A
change passed DER the spirit Of the mai
den. "Shrink not, my father, from the
sacrifice, but do even as thou hast
said"
Fearful and contending emotions fll-
ed the chieftain's breast. "Kneel with
me, my daughter, and let me implore
the Great Omnipotent to guide and
counsel US in this hour. of bitterness. !"
Then in the pensive stiffness of twilight
arose an earnest, thrilling petition to
the throne of Jehovah, that he would
be to that stricken one a guide and
counsellor in her hour Of trial, and that
he would nerve the parents heart to
endure the affective olow.o
"Grant me but one boon. my father"
said the devoted maiden. Let me
retire to yon distant mountain, and
there, in its deep seclusion, calm my
troubled spirit, and prepare for my
great and near departure to go into the
presence chamber Of Jehovah"
The father bowed his head in token
of acquiescence, and the maiden de-
parted.
Days and weeks rolled on in quick.
succession. At length, slowly emigra-
ting from deep recess Of the mount
lin, slight and fairy maidep form APP
peared. 1t is the loved and devoted
daughter of Jeptha. Her dark lustrous
eye has lost its brilliancy, and her step
its elasticity; but in her countenance
here beams a placid smile, and the
look of resignation.
Onward she moves, and soon arrives
at the portals of the home of her child,
hood, and is entwined in the paternal
"Must thou die, my beautiful ore,