Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-01-14
THE GIRDLE OF FIRE.


proYerbially barren, being covered with
immense forests of pine, interspersed with
cedar swamps. During the dry summer
months, these latter become parched to an
extent that is incredible, and the acci-
dental contagion of fire-brand often
wraps immense tracts of country in tiames.
The rapidity with which the conflagra-
ton when once kindled, spreads through
these swamps can scarcely be credited,
except by those who know how thorough
" tho moss and twigs are drieduP by the
heat Of an August sun. Indeed, scarce
" spot can be pointed out in West Jer-
seY, which has not, at one tlme or anoth-
er, been ravaged by confagratlon' 1t
was but few years since, that an I'M
mcnse tract of these pine barrens were on
fire, and the citizens of Philadelphia can
recolect the luriQ appearance of the sky
atnight, seen at the distance of thirty or
forty miles from the scene of the confla-
grafton. The legendary history of these
wild counties is full of daring deeds and
hair-breadth escapes which have been
witnessed during such times of PERIL
One of these traditions it is our purpose
to relate The period of our tale dates
far back into tho early history of the SIS
ter State, when the country was even
more thinlY settled than at present
1t was u sunny morning in midsum-
mcr, when gay party was assembled at
the door of neat house in one of the
lower counties Of New Jersey. Foremost
in the group stood a tall manly youth,
whose frank countcnance at once attracted
the eye. By his side was a bright young
creature, apparently about eighteen years
of age, whose golden tresses were fit
type of the sunny beauty of her countc-
nance but now her soft blue eyes were
dim with tears, and she leaned on the
shoulders of her mother who was appa-
rently equally affected. The dress other
daughter, and her attitude of leave taking,
told that she was bride, going forth from
the home of her childhood, to enter new
and untried sphere of life. The other
members of the group were composed OF
her father, her brothers and sisters, and
her DriucmCn and brGlernAidS.
God bless you, my daughter, and have
You in his holy keeping said the father,
as he gave her his last embrace and
now farewell !
The last kiss was given, the lastparting
word was said, the last long look had
been taken, and now the bridal party were
being whrled through the forest on one
of tho sweetest mornings OF the month OF
July,
1t was indccd lovely day. Their
way lay through an old road which was SO
rarely travelled that it had become over
grown with grass, among which the thick
dowdrops glttcring in the morning sun,
were scattered like jewels on the mon
.arch's mantle. The birds sang merrily in
the trees, or skipped gaily from branch to
branch, while the gentle signing of the
wind, and the occasional murmur of q
brook crossing the road, added to the ox-
hilcrating influence of the hour. The
travellers. were all young and happy, and
so they gradually forgot the sadness oi
the parting hour, and ere they had ira,
verscd many miles, the green arcades ot
that lovely old forest were ringing Will
merry laughter Suddenly, however
the bride paused in her innocent mirth.
and, while shade of palencss overspread
her check, called the attention of her hus'
band to dark, black cloud, far oft in the
horizon, and yet gloomier and dcnseI
than the darkest thunder-cloud.
The forest is on fire ! was his instant
ejaculation think you not SO, Charm
ley 2 said he, turning to his grooms-
man.
Yes-but the wind is not towards us,
and the fire must be miles from our course,
There is no need for alarm, Ellen, said
he, turning TO the bride, his sister.
But cur road lies altogether through
The forest she timidly reioined, and then
you know there isn't house or cleared
space for miles
1es-but my dear sis, so long as the
hre Keeps its distance, it matters not
whetner the road is through the. forest
or helds' We viii drive on briskly and
before noon You will laugh at your fears,
Your parting from home has weakened
your nerves.
No more was said, and tor some time
the carriage proceeded in silence. Mean
time the conhagration was spreading with
great rapidity. The dark, dense clouds
of smoke which had at first been seer
hanging only in ono spot, had now exten
ded in a line around the horizon, gradu
ally edging around so as to head of the
travellers.
But this was done so imperceptibly
that for a long time they were not aware
OF it, and they journeyed at least half al
hour before they again saw their danger
AT length the bride spoke again.
Surely, dear Edward she said, ad'
dressing her husband, the FIRE is sweep,
ing around ahead Of US; l have beer