Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-07-18
LIFE OR DEATH.
Atrue story of the Natural Bridge Of Va.
Br ELIrtu BuRRirr.

the vast arch OF unhewn rocks WITH the
almighty bridge over their abutmcnts,
when the morning stars sang together.
The little piece of sky, spanning those
measureless piers, is full OF stars even at
mid day 1t is almost five hundred feet
from where they stand, up these perpen-
dicular bulwarks of limestone, TO the key
rock Of the vast arch, which appears TO
them only the size of a mans hand. The
death silence is rendered more impressive
by the little stream that runs from rock
to rock, down the channel. The sun is
darkened, and the boys have unconscious
ly uncovered their heads, as if standing
in the presence of the Majesty Of the
whole earth. AT last this feeling begins
to wear away--they begin to look around
them. They see the names OF hundreds
cut in the limestone abutments. 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 a foot above those
of a hundred full grown men, who had
been there before them.
They are all satisfied with this feat of
physical exertion except one, whose ex-
ample illustrates perfectly the forgotten
truth, that there is no royal road TO in
tellectual eminence. This ambitious
youth sees a name just above his reach
name that shall be green in the memory
of the world, when those of Alexander,
Caesar, and Bonaparte, shall rot in OBJ
livion. II was the name of Washington.
Before he marched to the fatal field, lie
had been there, and left bis name foot
above all his predecessors. 1t was a
foot above all his predecessors. It was
glorious thought of boy to write his
name side by side with that of the great
father of his country. He grasps his
knife with firm hand--and clinging tc
stone, about foot above where he stand.
but as he puts his feet and hands into
these gains, and draws himself carefully
TO his full length, he finds himself foot
above every name chronicled on that
mighty wall. While his companions are
regarding him with concern and admira-
tion, he cuts his name in huge capitals
large and deep into the flinty album.
His knife is still in his hand, and strength
in his sinews, and new inspiration il
his heart.
Again he cuts another niche. and agair
he carves his name in large capitals
This is not enough. Needless Of the en-
treaties of his companions, he cuts and
climbs again. The graduation of his as
cending scale grew wider apart. III
measures his length at every gain he cuts
TIE voices Of his friends grow weaker
till their words are finally lost on his ear
He now, for the first time, casts lool
beneath him. Had that glance lastel
but moment, that moment would hayu
been his last. He clings with convulsiy
shudder, to his little niche in the rock. A.
awful abyss awaits his almost certain fal
He is faint from severe exertion, an,
trembling from the sudden view of tn
dreadful destruction to which he Is esl
: posed. His knife is worn half way /
the haft. lie can here the voices but n,
E the cries Of his terror-stricken compar
ions below. There II no reiracing b
steps. Whaf a meagre chance to eseaF
: destruction. II is impossible to pat h
hand into the same niche with his fee
= and retain bis hold a moment. His con
panions instantly perceived this new aH
fearful dilemma, and awaits bis fall, wi
emotions that freeze their young bloc
: lie is too high, too faint, 70 ask for i
father and mother, his brothers, and ii
ters, to come and witness, or avert 1
destruction. But one Of he eompanio
anticipated his desire. Swift as the win
e be bounds down the channel, and d
, fearful situation is told upon bis fatheI
% hearth-stone.
J. Minutes Of almost eternal length n
On, and there are hundreds standing
the rocky channel, and hundreds On /
E. bridge above, all holding their breai
~ and awaiting that fearful es,,aslropl
g, The poor boy hears the hum ofnew voic
lie both above and below. lie can jest 4
tinguish The tones Of has fathers voii
who Is shouting with all the energy
at despair. eWiIlialni William don't 10
ng down--Your molher and Henry are
We here praying for you. Keep your c,
e. towards the top"
iut The boy don't look dovn--his eyes
hxed Ike . flint toward heaven and