The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1859-06-09
Gbe 9omt CirtIr.
yeptba's Daughter.


A SKETCH.
It was early morn; in the distance
che glorious orb Of light was lifting his
midnight covering, and peeping out
from behind his snowy drapery Of eur.
tains, not with the drowsy look Of a late
riser but with a beaming eye, that shone
down upon the white tops Of the noun.
tains, and the valley beneath, making
even the little dewdrops smile, with
gladness at the notice he took Of them
But harkl what noise is that disturbs
che scenol
Can it be the tramp Of many horses,
and the clang of arms2
Yes, the cavalcade approaches. 1t Is
an army returning from battle.
Mark the warrior on the white steed
who leads them. Bold is his bearing,
but humble is the spirit within him.
Commanding is the glance Of his eye;
bat how the expression changes, as he
looks at the blue canopy above him and
thinks Of the Great Architect.
Suddenly he reins in his horse and
stops He makes a sign for his warri
ors 70 halt; thon speaks:
"Soldiers: we are returning from q
distant war aud but for the goodness Of
God, we should now be weltering in our
blood. Before yonder sun sets, We
shall be within the gates Of our native
city, al now make vow to heaven
that the first living thing I meet as
enter the city, shall be sacrificed on the
altar Of the Great God, that We may
render our thanks for the miraculous
preservation Of our lives"
With these words he rode on.
The sun was giving his last look to
Tho surrounding country, aud shoue
brightly on a gorgeous tent, at the door
of which stood a youthful maiden in
the attitude Of listening. One hand
supported her head, which was bent
forward. Her long black tresses were
neatly braided, and resting upon shoul-
ders delicate as the tinted clouds of
heaven, revealing a face where beauty
had traced her finest limning. Pleas
ure beamed in her dark eyes, and now
and then as she cast them down, strange
was the contrast between the pearly
whiteness of her complexion and the
black fringes that swept her cheek.
Long she remains in this position;
and then shade Of disappointment
passes over her features, as she takes
her harp to try and beguile the tedious
hours. But see; she drops the instru-
ment, and rushes forward into the arms
Of her father. But what q reception
for his only child, from whom he had
been parted for a twelve-monthl Cold
drops like those Of death stand upon
his brow His hands are cleuChed TO-
gether; his eyes are upliftod to heaven
In vain his daughter calls his name;
in vain she entwiues her arms around
his neck. All he says is "NIy Childr
Alasi he may well utter these words in
anguish.
She it was who frst met him as he
entered the city. He remembered his
vow. Yes, there she stands; his only
child-his darling flower whom he
is about to crush beneath his feet; and
the strong man wept aloud. He soon
revealed the truth to his child. She
stood erect; no further emotion visible
than a slight quivering Of the lip, and
the rounded cheek turning pale; wheu
Ia flashing, he said: "My daughter
art thou afraid to die7" She turned
her eyes full upon his face, and raising
her hands to heaven, she said: "Fath-
or, do I not so to God with the thanks
giving Of my noble parent and his
brave soldiers? Before yonder orI
hides his beaming face behind the west
ern hills, shall be in the arms Of ny
Creator, pouring out to Him the mes
Eages with which I am laden. WIZ
ask if I fear to die? Remember that
am Jepihabs Daughter, and it was hl
who taught his only child not to fea
death. am ready--father fulfill you
VOW"