The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-11-07
Fron Rlackrood, }, M.r..lna.
"a Story Of 81 tth,'iG tn, Golden Age. e..

beautiful valley Of smell river which emp
ties into the Caspian Sea, where rotes
bloomed in perpetual spring time. where
all sweet flowers filed the air with frag.
rance. and all the meIodious birds with
scpg-was gathered one Of those happy
groups Of families into which mankipd we're
divided in the first stages utter the deluge 5;
before there were cities, Kingdoms, wsfs,
and splendots, and vices and ciueltfes Of
more advanced civilization. 7-,,a *, s...,.f
= The Vale Of Roses glowed like new
paradise. The mountains, whose gltterine
peaks were like jeweled crown. surround
ed the valley, and shielded il from the cold
blast of'tbe Siberian wilds. Silver cascades
dashed down the precipices, through ever.
green trees, Aoweripg shrubs, and long pen
dapt vines, The emerald green sward that
sloped down TO the river was bsspangled
with a thousand gay and odorous flowers;
red strawberries cleaned through the grass;
the tclumps Of shrubbery were filled WITH
delicious berries; and grape vines loaded the
trees with purple clusters. The choicest
fruit grew spontaneously, and the upland
terraces were covered with wheat and bar.
ley sowed by the lavish hand OF Nature, Tor
the food of man. .
In this delightful scene were scattered
nrp If PucIiO nall al Ia
rude in structure, but so embowered with 70.
liagc and surrounded with spreading trees,
and SO in harmony with the landscape. that
each cluster was a new picture OF delight.
Herds Of cattle were lowing in the mead
ows, horses nei9hed 10 the rich pastures, and
Aocks Of sheep and goats gave beauty and
admiration to the landscape. These were
attended by shepherds and shepherdesses,
dressed in simple but gr ceful robes, and
crowned with flowers. With the lowing
and bleoting Of the herds, the soItenfd rour
OF the distant cascadas. the murmur of the
summer breeze, the hum Of bees, were min
ged the melodies Of rude shepherds pipes,
and cho'uses Of happy children at play
The old people-their venerable heads co.
vered with silver loc ks--s,t in the shade OF
spreading trees, talking together of the days
OF their youth, or relating the traditions OF
their ancestors, ard the events Of their own
early duys, to, the young people who gather.
cd around them, 'ull of affection and rever.
eDce. aa..-.a gt.a
In this hdppy village Of the almost for.
gotten pnst. the wisest governed by his coun.
sells, and the n1ost beautiful was queen
Where all were lovely os per'e health,
frcedum from care, and innocence could
make thcm,, TOmnr was the most beautiful,
as her grand 'sther, Olm, was esteemed most
sage. The mother Of Tamar, who, in her
youth hsd held the place now held by her
daughter, WINS esteemed for her virtue and
wisdom, ns much as she had ever been od-
mired for her oveliness. The beautiful Ia
mar was beloved BY all-eld and young
Az che wondered along the romantic banks
of the river, in the dewy morning, the blue
frmament, with its embroidery Of silver
clouds, seemed but her cancpy; the trees
and shrubs nodded their homage; the f)w
ers sent up their incense of perfume; the
birds warbled their melodies Tor her delight;
he very cks stopped grazing to look al
be-. ,ha horses ncighed at her as she drew
near them; sweet eyed gezalles approached
her without Tear. In this harmony OF nature
she walked-its queen robed !" ius'rou' c11l
white, and crowned with choicest flowers.
Among oil the youths who admired Id's
Tumar, two of the wor,hisst Inspired to the
favor OF her love. Annette was one of the
brsves, as well as one OF the nobIest youths
OF the valley. No foot was swi'ter in the
race-no aIm stronger in the flod. de
could climb the precipicey with the mountain
goat; his arrow pierced the heart OF the
spotted leopard or the fierce volt that came
10 prey on the Aocks Of the valley. sau
HE cousin Jaleph was scarcely inferior tt
him in manly sports. They had grown W
together, and loved each other like brothers
Arne tie wes dsrk--Jaleph fair. Arnette''
black, clustering locks were like the ravens
wing Jaleph's sbone like the golden sun
shine on the sea. Arnette's dark eyes fash
ed out their fires under his deep browt; Ja
leph's reflected the hues Of the cerulear
heavens. .'
Both were brave and strong, and heroic
| If Annette had more strength, and dignity
Jsleph had more skill and glace. One wa
statelier in his walk; the other more aria
in the dance. ''0'' - a' Ea3 ~. y.
Both loved Tamar. In 0 thousand way
each told bis love. Annette presented he.
with gorgeous plume Of the bird Of para
disc. Jaleph wove for her garland o
matchlsss beauty, made Of shells and flow
/ ers. Annette trained for her horse as flee
ss the antelope; Jaleph learned to play th
meIodies which filed her innocent slumoe
with enchanting dreams. zaea =
+, So beloved, Tamar was very happy. n
one could tell which swain she favored.'-
| Had each one been her brother, she coul
not have been mote kind, The aged Peopl
who loved I'll their children, looked on %
shook their heads; for they saw this mu'
end, and they feered that It might end l
sorrow. .a,lts1, sor s,aaa 'sg,' ~, ,.I,aS ..a
The time came when Tanar also saa
,and felt, the noble cpuaipss loved her vii