The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-09-02
Incident im Ancient History.

Twas glorious morn, . morn Tor lltt IN Is
most subtle luxury" The first faint rays OF sun
light had begun to gild the eastern sky OF an
ancient city. when the sound Of martial music,
the praucing of seeds, and the hurried tread of
human feet proclaimed mighty nation going
forth to war. They have gathered themselves
together and now, with gttering spear and
flashing bayonet they prepare to SO lorth ma
the flourish OF trumpetS and the shonts OF the
people. But why this delay? The captain OF
the host mighty man oil valor, speaks.--
Silence prevails and oil heads bend low as,
with uplfted hands, the mighty monarch makes
q VOW to God that if he is vlctOnous IN thus
battle. if the enemy is delivered into his hands,
he will offer as sacrifice the first living thing
that comeih forth from his gates to meet hlm
When he returns The vow is recorded; the
word of command is given, and that gorgeous
cavacade move on. Long they traveId ere
they reach the field of battle. lis reached at
last. A glorious array OF men in warlike armOr
present themselves to view. And now they are
engaged in deadly conflict; man strives with
man; the conflict RACES fierce and terrible /;
blood flows like water; the shrieks OF the
wounded and the dying rend the air; the Held
is covered with heaps of the wounded, the dy'
ing and the dead, ere the flourish OF trumpets
and the shouts of victory announced 'he victory
won-5y the mighty man whose vow was re-
corded ere they left their home; anu now he
prepares 10 lSdu HIS army III w ''iS wy
On, on they go for many mile, over hlll ana
dale, through forest and city. They near the
gates of their home. Every eye is strained, Tor
they remember the vow, and look on the right
hand and on the left for the sactrice, bnt no
goat is by the waySide, no helier gambolS near
no lamb is in sight no bird skins through the
air, and even the dogs 40 not come lorlh 10
meet them.
What means this stiffness? Why doth no
living thing appear to greet them? Are lhey
not victors, fresh from the field of battle-upon
their brows the laurel wreath, and in their hands
the palm of victory? Do they not come with
all the pomp and pride of martial glory? Why
does no living thing greet their coming? Ihey
approach the gates of the palace and the eye
Of the captain casts quick and anxious glances
around, and his heart trembles for his vow
What shall come forth to meet him? Perhaps
we'll trained hound, or it may be lavorlte
servant.
Hark sound of music is borne upon the
air. Soft and sweet its strains heard in the
distance, and now they sound louder and more
near. 1t is a song OF joy and triumph why
does the cheek of that proud man olanch, MS
hand tremble upon the rein, and his head droop
upon his breast? and why is the myrtle wreath
that lately bound his brow, crushed beneath his
horses feet? Behold, issuing from the gates, a
maiden of surprising beauty, dressed in gala
greet the conqueror, and congratulate him on
his safety. Well may his cheek blanch and
his heart quiver, for in that air girl he sees his
daughter, his only one
beside her he hath neither son nor daughter"
She is all in all to his aged heart. Can he yield
her sacrifice to the cruel flames! "Oh, my
daughter!" he exclaimed in anguish, why
didst thou come forth TO meet me. Behold,
have made VOW that the first living thing
met on my return from battle | would o1ter as
burnt sacrifice Thou art that LiDLHg thing !!
One earnest, imploring look she cast upon
her father, then sank upon her knees, her whole
form convulsed with agony at the dreadful I'M
port of those fearful words. The stiffness OF
death prevails, as with blanched cheek and qulv-
ering lip the maiden said, 60 Do unto me accord-
ing to thy vow, my father!" and those brave
warriors, who have waded through seas OF
blood and never wavered on the field OF battle,
turned silently and tearfully away and muir
INJURED, Alas the vow!'
A short time has elapsed aud now behold the
maiden ready for the flames. Dressed IN simple
white she comes, accompanied by her madens
singing low mournful chant. A large multi
tude had gathered TO see the sacrifice. For
moment father and daughter are locked in
close embrace as if soul had melted into soul.
The old man trcmhes parental love Is strong
within his heart, aud gladly would he recall
that vow; but it may not be. M-ekly the
maiden kneels and with bare head aud white
locks streaming in the wind, her father com
mends her TO her GoD. Now the flames cnwrap
the fair form-they clasp her feet, her hands,
her head, but no Shrek escapes her lips. She
"a dead
The vow is performed, and the childless
father turns in agony away, and looks to that
God to whom he has performed his vow, for
strength in hat dark hour.
For many years after, the Jewish maidens
celebrated four days, annually, in commemord-
ton of this melancholy sacrifice.