Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-03-23
From Blackwood. u40
THE TWO SOLDIERS.
An Apologize.
BY BARRY conNwALI.

chant SIngleheart related the folloWlng
story:
. Two soldiers who had been taken pri-
soners in battle, contrived. after long sla-
verv, to escape. The elder of the two.
whose name was Platow, had a mild and
thoughtful nature In the younger, Ill
ric. appeared mixture of boldness and
vivacity. such as ladies say) should be-
long to soldiers.
There was nothing in common between
the two men, save their common danger.
This produced a partial alliance. of of
fence and defence. between them; and on
this subject they held occasional confer
ences. But for the most part they ira
vefed silently by each others side or
shared the fruits and berries, and Chance
ears Of rice or viii / corn which they dis
covered on their way.
They hal to pass through strange
countries, as yet scarcely guessed at by
geographers They beheld extensive
pralrles which the buffalo haunts. and
trackless savannas where the wild horse
and the zebra enjoy boundless liberty
They penetrated savage regions, where
even man preys upon his fellow. and
lands debatable and arid deserts, where
shepherds, armed TO the teeth, overlook
their hncks, or where rowing bands set
| tie for a time. but have no permanent
home. At last, after many days toll,
they left a rich, alluvial fiat, where they.
for some time had been travelling. and be-
gan to ascend bleak and mountainous
country which appeared never to have
been subjected to the hand of man. The
snow. (though it was almost summer.
lay upon the higher peaks. whilst through
| the passes. where their road lay, fierce
rain and bowling winds kept up an inces
SAINT clamor. 1t was nearly night when
they arrived at spot somewhat shelter
ed. Yet even there it was wild and gloo-
my. without fruits and without flowers /;
the black pine trees, together with scan
ty grasses. and few ears of shrunken
corn being all that redeemed it from ut
ter barrenness. Fatigue was stronger
than hunger, and they slept.
In the morning. just as the sun began
to throw a cold light over the eastern
mountains, the travellers awoke.
L" Fla. what is this 90 inquired Uric
1t was too plain. They were each bound
fast to ii rugged tree. I'VE are ia the
tolls" continued the speaker.
Yes" answered Plitow. 'our strength
of mind which we discuursed upon so long
yesterday. has now an opportunity of
| showing itself"
:. All - replied Uric, 6 if were not
80 hungry. you would soon see"
At this moment a young girl. six or Sc
ven years of aye, of n rough, but pleasant
aspect, came smilingly towards them; she
bore in her hands large bowl of milk,
and under her arm was a wrapper com
posed of strips of bark or tough grass.
which, being opened, displayed some large
pieces of barley bread.
! '' Eat drink ~ said she. and her or
ders were obeyed with alacrity. She
waited till they had finished their meal,
and then said, My father will come and
Judge you presently but don't be afraid.
he is not So terrible as he looks" and
with these words she left them.
! 1t was an anxious moment. Piatow
summoned up his resolution to bear the
worst with calmness, and Uric was inven-
ting some ingenious falsehood to excuse
himself for intruding within their hosts
very uninviting territory. when loud.
rough voice was heard at distance. and
presently giant of vast size walked stur-
| div towards them, carrying in his han d
Young pine he had plucked up by the
roots.
't What have You come here for'?'
/ quoth he when he was close to them
| His voice sounded like thunder. "Speak,
you are spies from the plains, What is it
You want? Is not your land fat enough;
| that you must come here and spy out the
poverty of my home ? Will you steal
/ the few goats that give food to me and
7 hi IF
7 liItle hoard of dry corn This is the Sc
cond time that you have come to pilfer
from me, and now, villains, you shall
} die -
"Ah. SIR" exclaimed Ulric-he could
utter no m ore.
{ G. We are poor Travellers" said Platow;
"anI Were passing by accident. through
! your country. Our only wish is to reach
once more the land where we were born"
Z i" We will give you gold, " interrupted
Ulrich; and he rendered some coins for
the giants acceptance, who looked con-
! temptuously upon them.
:. What stuff is here?' quolh he j; and
whirled the useless metal over a mountain
summit some hundreds o!feet high. .'Do
you think to bribe me with dirt like this :?
/ Ofwhat use is it to me +? Will it give me
food or clothing will it teach me-
1--WE will teach you wisdom" " ioyfully
cried Uric.
{. Hal" said the giant, that, indeed.
is something. Come. let us begin"
Uric. who belonged to several socie-
tios for diffusing useful (and little use
less) knowledge. and who out-talked eve
ry member at the annual meeting of the
philosophers, eagerly commenced. Il
Shall first explain to you tlre latest theo-
ries respecting meteoralities,- or stones
l.hro,rr,- from fha rannrn -