Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-05-23
9 GbriIIns Yarratids.
DON'T LOOK DOWN."

DUNI LUuh DUWN'
The scene opens with view Of the
great Natural Bridge in virginia.-l
There are three or four lads standing
in the channel below, looking up with
awe to the vast arch of unhewn rocks
which the Almighty brldged over
these everlasting abutments. when
the morning stars sang together. The
little piece OF sky spanning those mea-
sureless piers is full Of stars, although
II Is midday. II is almost Eve hun.
dred feet from where they stand. as
those perpendicular Sulwarks Of lime
stone. to the key rock Of the vast arch.
which appears to them only the size OF
maa's hand. The silence Of death
is rendered more impressive by the lit
tie stream that falls from rock 10 rock
down the channel. The sun is dark
ened, and the boys have unconsciously
uncovered their heads. as il standing
in the presence chamber Cf the Mnjes-
ty of the whole arth. At last this
feeling begins to wear away; they be-
gin to look aroind them. They see
the names Of hundreds cat in the lime
stone abutment. A new feeling comes
over their hearts and their knives are
in hand in an instant. "What man
has done. man can do" is the watch
word, while they draw themselves up
and carve their names foot above
those of hundred full grown men
who had been there before them.
They are all satisfied with this feat
Of exertion except one, whose example
illustrates perfectly the forgotten truth
that lhereis no royal road to eminence
This ambitions youth sees a name just
above his reach. name that shall
be green to the memory Of the world
when those Of Alexander. Caesar and
Bonaparte shall rot in oblivion. 1t was
the name Of Washington. Before he
marched with Braddock To the fatal
tield he had been there and left his
name foot above all predecessors. 1t
was glorious thought Of boy to
write his name side by side with that
Of the great father OF his country. He
prasps his knife with firm hand
and clinging to jutting crag, he cuts
into the limestone about foot above
where he stands; but as he puts his
feet and hands into these again. and
draws himself carefully TO his full
length. he finds himsefa a foot above
every name chrouicled in that mighty
wall. While his companions are re-.
garding him with concerned admira-
lion, he casts his name in huge CAPT
tails large and deep into the ilinty al
bum. His knife Is still in his hand.
and strength in his sinews. and new
created inspiration in his heart.
Again he cuts another niche. and a.
gain he carves his name In large CAPT.
tails. This is not enough. Needless
OF the entreaties Of his companions. he
cuts and climbs again The gradua-
tions Of his ascending scale grow wi
der apart. He measures bis length al
every grain he cuts. The voice Of his
4 friends grow weaker, till their words
are finally lost on his ear. He now for
the FIRST time casts look beneath
Had that glance lasted moment that
moment would have been his last. He
i cinps with n convulsive shudder to
his little niche in the rock. An awful
abyss awaits his almost certain fall
He is faint with severe exerlion. and
trembling from the sudden view Of the
dreadful destrurt ton to which he is ex
posed. His knife Is worn half way Ia
The haft. He can hear the voices but
not the words Of his terror stricken
companions below. What a moment
There is no re-tracing his step. II is
impossible 10 put his hand into the
same niche with bis feet, asd retain
his hold n momentl HIS companions
instantly perceive this new and fearful
dilemma. and await his fall with emo
lions that "freeze their young blood
| lie IL 10 high. too faint. TO ask for bis
father and mother, his brothers and
sisters, to come and witness or aver
his destruction. But one Of his com.
pauions anticipate his desire. Swift
as the wind he bounds down the chan
mel. and the fatal situation is told upon
the fathers hearth stone.
! Minutes of almost eternal length roll
on. and there were hundreds standing
In that rocky chaanel. and hundrend'
on the ridge above, all holding theil
breath and awaiting that fearful catas
+ trophe. The poor boy hears the hun
Of new and numerous voices. fotl
above and below. He can just disin
, guish the tones OF his fathers voice
r who Is shouting with oil the energy o
! despair
"wilIiaml williaml Don't lool
, down--your mother. and Henry, an'
: Harriet are al here praying for you
Don't look down. Keep your eye
/. towards the top"
: The boy didn't look down-his eye
!: are fixed like flint towards heaven
. and his young heart on Him VIII
!. reigns there. He grasps again hi
! knife. He cuts another niche, sn'
another foot is added to hundreds tina
! remove him from human help below
] How carefully he uses his waslin
e blade. How anxiously he selects th
. sofIest place In their pier. How b
b avoids every iiinty grain. How h
: economises his physical powers-resl
y ing moment at each grain he cuts
y How every motion is watched from BE-
J. low. There stands his father. mother
n brother. and sister. on the very spc
}. where If he falls he will not fall alos,
The sun is half way down the wes
The lad has made fifth additions
g inches in the mighty wall. and no
IT finds himself directly under the mic
n die Of that vast arch OF rocks. ear.
X and trees. He cut his way in ne
Of direction to get over this over hangin
le mountain. The in spiration Of hope