The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-07-30
Correspondence of the Register.
Way Side Sketches.


Description of battle between two Clouds
Both fell in the cncounter-Earth bore
off the spoils-Odd Fellows gathering
Interrupted by the Storm King, &c, sc.
INDEPENDENCE, BROOKE Co.VA., !
June 1856.
For over three weeks, the earth had
been subjected to tho scortchiDg with.
eripg effects of noontide heat. The
heavens had oncs or twice, betokened
rain, but twas only to mock the anxious
hopes of the husbandman, and defer the
hour, when the thirsty ground, which
now beseechingly from crack and fissure
prayed for drink, might be relieved with
the gracious beverage. Sometimes q
distant cloud or thunder.head, gliding
along tho edge of the horizon, or loom.
ming up in the western sky, would bo.
come the cntiro objec of thought, and
speculation. Anxious hearts would pray
and prophecy, and the tender blades Of
corn, and tho spires Of grass, and the
dusty leaves Of the oak and maple along
the smudged road, curled up their edges,
and folding their wings to their breasts
and holding up their scorched backs to
the clouds, sighed for few drops of tho
cooling liquid Day succeeded day and
the crispcd grass and heated soil lay
languishing Prophecyiugs failed, hope
perished, and faith gave out. At this
juncture change was wrought
About midday, small cloud appear
ed in the southwest. And very soon au.
other hove in view, in the northwest.
Both wiped their faces of feathery va.
pors, and drest themselves in murky
habiliments. Each called to his aid ev-
cry struggling soldiercloud aud enlarged
their ranks rapidly 1t was now evident
that there was to be a contest between
the two great forces of the sky. Angry
words began to be mustered at each 9th.
er and slight advances made. Their
swollen dimensions indicated their iu-
crease Of hostile wrath, and their dark.
ened and knit brows, bespoke their aw.
ful determinations. They now began to
advance towards each other with deci.
sive steps. Open war was now proclaim.
ed. Their dread artillery was called 10.
to exercise. Electric guns roared stout.
ly from either camps, and their pathway
was marked with fire. At length these
hostile forces met The zenith or point
in the heavens exactly over us was chosen
for the rencontrs. Tho scene became
sublime. The weapons Of warfare were
the forked lightuings and their death
dealing thunderbolts. The clash Of
arms and the voice Of war was terrific.
Chains of fire with long drsgon.tails
como and went on the sky, aud the sharp
and heavy thunder claps sent down ter.
ror TO mau and beast. Tho scene be-.
came awfully grand and impressive. The
contending forces now grsprlod in dead.
ly encounter, and it was now evident
that 1ate, must be poured out like
blood. They now pitched into each otb-
or, and rent aud tore each others bow
els, and would not quit their grasp. nor
leave the field of strife, until both were
completely used up, and had shed ont
every drop Of water in their vains The
earth was now disintsrestcd spectator.
but as the parties lay vauquished aud
welteriug in death, she seized upon the
booty and carried of tho spoils. She
was busy for many hours ia making her
deposits. The brooks, the springs, tho
pools, the rivers and ponds, took to their
charge a share of the treasures and the
balance she bid away in ber own bosom
This scene though somewhat hgurs-
lively described literally occurred. The
wind currents blowing from opposite
points brought the clouds into juxssposi.
tiou and when met they struggled to psss
Zach other but could not. Then they
both lavisbly poured ou. their centents
upon the earth and Asd away. An i'm.