The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1844-01-11
A Thrilling Incident.

A Thrilling Incident.
The following graphic and thrilling skeichl
of an incident which occurred some yearsl
since a, the Natural Bridge in Virginia
comprises passage in lecture on Gen
Tvs, delivered by the celebrated EIihul
Buti.t, the learned Blaek smith Of Rhodl
Island:
The scene opens with view OF The grea
Natural Bridge IN Virginia. There aret
three or four lads standing in tho channel
below, looking up with awe TO that vas
arch Of unhewn rocks which the Almighty
built over these everlasting abulmenls, when
'he morning stars sang together. The lii.
lie piece Of the sky spanging those measured
ess piers, isIuIl Of stars, although it is mid
lay. 1t is slmos, i've hundred feet from
where they stand, up those perpendicular
hulwarks, of limestone, to the KEY rock OF
I,hat vast arch, which appears 10 them only
of The SIZE Of mans hand. They silence
OF death is rendered more impressive by
he little streams thst falls from rock tU
rock down the chanel. The sun darkeued
and the boys have uucon,ciously uncovered
Iheir heads as if standing in the presence
lahamber of the Majesty Of the whole ssrll
| AZ last this feeling begins 10 wear away
l!hey begin 10 look around them. The
see the names of hundreds cut 10 The Inns
Their young hearts, and their knives are i'
iaanG 10 an instant. what man has done
nan can do 10 the watrhword, while the,
lraw themselves up and carve their name
fooi above those Of hu ndred men VIII
Ihad been there before them.
| They are all satisfied with this feat @
physical exerIion, except one whose e1
.lmpls illustrates perfectly, the forgoue
lluulh, that there is no royal road TO in,e
ectual emiuence. This ambitious yoDt
sect man jus, above his reach. nsu
will be green in 'he memory of the wore
lwhen those of Alexander, C9saTs sr
lBuonsparte, shall rot in oblivion. Ii W
The name of Washington. Before 10 mare
a|ed with Braddock to thu, 6eld, he had be-
VI ,here and left his name foo, above a!l /
al Ipredeceseols. Ii was glorious thong
e. Of the boy, 10 write hs name side by 81
"a with that of The great father OF his eounlr
Hegrasps his knife with a 6rmer hand; =
q clInging 10 a l,lle juI,ing ctag,he cuts aga
vsIiu to Tho limestone, about foot sbo
u lwhere he stands, he then reaches up n
or cuts smother for his hands. II is ds
J. gerous adventure: but as he puts his II
h' and hands into those inches, and dra
:" himself up carefully TO his full length,
~ Ifnds himself q foot above every ma
=, lchronicled in that mighty wall. While
,e lcompanions are regarding him with CT
ke lcern and adnrs,ion, he cuts his name
,e rude capitaIsl lore and deep, into that flir
- album. His knife is still in his hand !
~ strength in his sinews, and a new crea
aspiration in his heert.
Again he cuts smother inche, and az
~ he caves bis name in large capiials. i
= not enough. Needless Of the enlreai
odl Of his compauions;he cuts and climbs aga
TO- The gradations Of his ascending &c
le. grows wider apart He measures
length every gain he cuts The vol
~. of his friends wax weaker, ill their wo
US are finally lost an his ear. lie now for
frat time caste a look bsnea'h him. I
ana that glance lasted moment j, would h
been his last. He cings with convuls
u" shudder 10 his little niche in the rock
'nL awful abyss awaits his almost certain
Cy He is faint with severe exertcn, and irer
the ling from the sudden view OF the drea,
destruction to which he is exposed.
MP knife is worn half way TO Ne heiL