Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-03-02
nllscellal1eous.
Incident of History.

| AhCioChG VI
| Twas glorious moru-.a morn for life In
| of sunlight had begun to gid the eastern
sky of an ancient city, when the sound of
martial music, aud the prancing of steeds,
hurried feet, proclaimed mighty nation GO
/ ing forth to war They have gathered them
selves together, and now with glittering spear
and flashing bayouet, they prepare to sc
! forth amid the flourish of trumpets and the
| shouts of the people. But why :his-delay !?
! The captain Of the host, mighty man of va
! lor, speaks. Silence prevails, and all heads
! bend low, Us with uplitted hands, tue mighty
man makes a VOW to God that if he is victo-
rious in this battle, if the enemy is delivered
! into his hands, he will offer as a sacrifice the
| first living thing that cometh from his gate
! to meet him when he returns. The VOW is
recorded the word Of command is given, and
! that gorgeous cavalcade moves on. Long
/ they travelled ere they reached the field of
| battle IT'S reached at last.
\ glorious array Of men in warlike armor
present themselves to view. And they are
| engaged in deadly conflict man strives with
man the conflict RACES fierce and terrible
! blood flows like water the shlieks Of the
wounded and dying rend the air; the field
is covered with heaps of the wounded and
the dying, aud the dead, ere the flourish of
trumpets and the shouts Of victory announce
the battle won-by the mighty man whose
vow was recorded ere they left home, and
now he prepares to lead his army in triumph
to the city.
On they go for many a mile over bin aud
dale, through forest and city. They near
the gates Of their homes. Every eye is
strained they remember the VOW, and look
on the right and on the left for the sacrifice,
but no goat is by the side, no heifer gambols
near, 10 lamb is il sight, nc bird skins the
air, and even the dogs do not come forth to
meet him.
VIA; means this stiffness? Why doth no
living thing come forth to meet him? Are
they not victorious, fresh from the field of
/ battlc-upon their brows the laurel wreath,
aud in their hand the palm of victory? Do
not they come with all the pride and pomp of
martial glory? Why does 10 living thing
! come to greet their coming
/ They approach the gates of the palace. aud
the eye of the captain casts quick aud anxious
his VOW What shall come forth to meet
him? Perhaps we'll trained hound, or it
may be favorlte servant.
Hank sound Of music is borne upon tue
air Soft and sweet its strains are heard in
the distance and now they sound louder and
, more near. It IS song of JOY and triumph
Why does tie cheek of that proud man b!auch
and his hand trcnsble upon his rein, and his
head droop upon his breast? Behold issuing
from the gates. maiden of surprising beau
ty, dressed in gala robes, with timbIel IN her
hands she comes to meet the couqUeIor, and
congratulate him upon his safety. Well may
his check blanch, and his heart quver, tor
in that fair girl he sees his daughter, his
only one, Beside her, he had neither son
nor daughter. She is all ia his aged heart.
! Can he yield her sacrifice to the flames?
| ''Uh, my daughter" he exclaimed in an
! guish, 'why didst thou come forth to meet
me Behold, have maze VOW that the
first living thing l met on my return from
! battle | would offer as a burnt offering. Thou
art that HCing thing" 50
One earnest and imp!oring look she cast
upoI. ber father, then sa,k upon her knees
her whole form conyulsed with agony at the
dreadful import of those fearful words. The
stilluess of death prevails, as with blauched
cheek and quivering lir, the maiden said
''Do unto me according to thy vow, my
father" And these brave warriors who had
waded through seas of blood aud never wa
vcred on the field of battle, turned silently
away, and murmurcd, Alas for thy vow p
A short time has elapsed, and now behold
the maiden ready for the flames. Dressed in
simple white, she comes accompanied by her
madeus, singing low, mournful chant. A
large multitude had gathered 10 see the sac
rifce For Il moment father and daughter
are locked in a close embrace, as if soul had
melted into soul. The old nan trembles,
for paternal love is strong within his heart.
and gladly woald he recall that vow but 1t
may not be.
bieckly the maiden kneols and with bare
head and white locks streaming in the wind
her father commends her to his God. Now
the flames enwrap her fair form; they clasp
her feet, her hands, her head but no shrek
escapes her lips. SIZE IS dead!
The vow is performed, and the childess
father turns in agony away. aud looks to that
God to whom he has performed his vow. for
strength in that dark hour
For many years otter. tbe Jewish maidens
celebrated four days annually, in commemo-
ration of this melancholy sacrifice.
An IiM Lore Letter. Och Paddy! swatc