Smyrna times., 1856-09-10
seIttt 9tlisttlIanp.
LIF OR DEATH.
True Story Of the Natural Bridge in
Virginia.
BY ELIHU BURRITT.


The scene opens with view of the preot
Natural Bridge, in Virginia. There are three
or four lads standing in the channel below.
looking up with awe to the uDhewn rocks. with
the almighty bridge over their everlasting abut-
ments, built by the Great Architect when the
morning stars sang together. The little piece
OF sky. spanning those measureless piers, is full
OF stars, although it is midday. 1t is almost
five hundred feet from where thew stand. nm
these perpendicular bulwarks of limestone, To
the key-rOck of the vast arch. which appears to
them only the size of a mans hand. The ST.
lenee of death is rendered the more impressive
by the little stream that falls from rock to rock.
down the channel. The sun is darkened. and
the boys have unconsciously uncovered their
heads. as standing in the presence-chamber 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 hun.
dreds cut in the limestone abutments. A new
feeling comes over their hearts. What man
has done, man can dO," is the watchword, while
they draw themselves upand carve their names
foot above those of hundred fullgrown men.
who had been there before them.
They are satisfied with this feat of physical
exertiOn, except one, whose example illustrate s
perfectly the forgotten TRUTH that there is no row
81 road to intellectual eminence. This ambitious
youth sees a name just above his reach, a name
that shall be green in the memory of the world,
when those of Alexander, Cesar, and Bona
psrte, shall rot it oblivion. 1t was the name
ofWashington. Before he marched with Brad
dock to the fatal field he had been there and
left his name foot above all his predecessors.
1t 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 a
hrmer hand-and, clinging to a little iutting
erag, he cuts into the limestone, about a foot
above where he stands; but, as he puts his feet
aud hands into these, gains, and draws himself
carefully to his full length, he finds himself a
foot above every name chronicled on that mighty
wall. While his companions are regarding
him with concern and admiration, he cuts his
name in huge capitals, large and deep, into the
finty album. His knife is still in his hand. and
strength in his sinews, and a new-created aspi.
ration in his heart
Again he cuts another niche, and again he
earyes his name in large capitals. This is not
enough. Needless of the entreaties of his
companions, he cuts and climbs again. The
graduation of his ascending scale grew wider
apart. He measures his length at every gain
he cuts. The voices of his friends grow weak
er till their wordsare finally lost on his ear
He now, for the first time, casts look behind
him. Had that glance lasted a moment, that
moment would have been his last He clings,
with convuIsive shudder, to this little niche in
the rock. An awful abyss awaits his almost
certain fall. He is faint with severe exerton,
and trembling from the sudden view of the
dreadful destruction to which he is exposed
His knife is worn half away to the haft. He
can hear the voices, but not the cries of his
terror-stricken companions below. What
meagre chance to escape destruction. There
is 20 relracing his steps. 1t is impossible to
put his hand into the same niche with his feet,
and retain his hold moment. His companions
Instantly perceive this new and fearful dilemma,
and await his fall with emotions that freeze
their young blood" He is too high, too faint,
to ask for bis father and mother, his brothers
sisters, to come and witness or avert his destruc.
ton. But one Of his companions anticipated
lis desire. Swift as the wind he bounds down