The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-03-10

my habitation.
I arose at six, took guide, and be
gan my march but the grand and i'm
posing scenes of nature were not in har
mouy with my PHYSICAL strength, anc
what to others would have been a sourc'
of unbounded pleasure, was to me suf
fering. We stepped for the night in The
valley of the Grindleword, aud in tn.
morning, for the first time in many
months, 1 had a good appetite.
At sunset 1 arrived at MY destination
and entering the first house, asked
the hospitality of the inmates, which
was cheerfully accorded me- In the
morning / assumed shepherds dress
and left the friendly roof, not to enjoy
| the charms of nature, but to indulge in
my own sad recollections.
| / had taken but few steps when
heard the sound Of music, and the vii
lage rapidly filed to attend divine wor-
ship. The crowd proceeded toward the
church, and awaited in silence the en-
trance-of the pastor, venerable man,
inspiring respect and esteem. Hardly
we're the services concluded, when the
flutes and hauntbeys were heard anew,
and young man and woman kuelt be-
fore the altar, and received the Duptial
benediction Happiness and gaiety
shone in all faces. glanced towards
the seat occupied by the young girls of
the valley, and observed one with her
eyes fixed upon me. Her beauty was
more delicate and noble than that of
her companions, and occasionally tear
would steal from beneath her eyelashes.
Her sadness gave her an additional
charm in my eyes.
"Like me, she is unhappy" said,
'sbu. happiness will anon smile upon
her, while with me, death only will put
an end to my misery"
Next followed ball, and two hun
dred young people danced merrily to
the sound of the sameinsttumsut that
was heard in the church. Seeing q
strange yeung shepherd recline in the
shade of an ancient pine, some Of the
dancers approached and invited me to
join in their amusement; but declined,
and they left me with my own reaec-
tions. The girl with whose beauty I
bad been so struck, was not of the gay
throng; she had disappeard immediate
ly upon leaving the church.
After the rustic ball, the girls hand
in hand, singing gaily as they went, ad-
vanced to the foot of a hill, whose sum-
nit was covered with ice.
All at once they started and rushed
at full speed up the slippery eminence.
They seemed like troop of angels as
cending to heaven. But what was my
terror when they began to descend in
the same rapid and perilous manner
With great speed they came springing
down the decliyity, with hair unbound,
and floating in the wind, while their
lovers stesd at the base of the hill, with
their arms extended. to receive them
With innumerable kisses.
Happy shepherds l'' 1 exclaimed
show 1 envy you"
Upon arriving at the house, l Learned
that my guide had purchased for me q
flock of dozen goats, and little cabin
upon one of tho neighboring mountains.
This transaction had consumed almost
all my money, and if wished to live,
must labor with my companions, no
richer than any of them.
My dwelling was neat, and furnished
with everything necessary fer comfort;
a bench, table and bed, little hard
to be sure, but soft to the robust limbs
of a shepherd.
Ny first few days were frightful. The
isolation in which I lived, the coarse
fare to which I was accustomed, the vi
olent exercise in following my goats
over steep rocks and precipices, all COM
bined to drive me to dispair. Soon I
had not strength enough to leave my
cabin burning fever consumed me,
and my senses were lost in delirium.
I remained ten days lowering between
life and death. Sometimes believing me
in my own country; sometimes on a
desert land, pursuing phantoms that fed
before me sometimes I seemed to see
1t my bedside the young girl whom I
net at the church but her sweet face
was soon oblitorated by others.
Finally, after lethargic sleep, my
reasons returned. I inquired:
"Where am ?"
A voice replied:
"He il saved 70
opened my eyes, and perceived two
smales, one Of middle age, who had ut.
cred the exclamation; but the other,
resh as spring, and beautiful as new
BORN flower, gazsa at me in silence.
"Thess are the two angels" said in
ny own language, "that saved my life"
My words they could not understand,
,ut my sentiments am sure they did.
Marie and Laura, as they were called
q the valley, were loved by the inhab-
tsnts of Laura burn They delighted
n good deeds, and often climbed she !