Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1860-08-25
MNSGElL lLAHnW.
From Black wood.


into the Caspian Sea, where roses boomcd
IN perpetual spring. time; where all sweet
flowers filled the air with fragrance, and all
the mclodious birds with song-was gath
cred one of those happy groups of families
into which mankind were divided ia the first
ages after the Dclugc; before there were ci-
ties, Kingdoms, wars, and the spendors, and
vices and cructics of more advanced civ
ilzation.
The Vale of Noses glowcd like a new par,
adisr. The mountains whose 9littcring
peaks were like icwcllcd crown, surround
ed the valley, aud shielded it from the cold
blasts of the Siberian winds Silver cas-
cadcs dashed down the prccipiccs, through
evergreen trees, towering shrubs and long,
pendent vines The emerald green sward
that Slopcd down to the river was bcspangcd
with a thousand gay and odorous flowers red
Strawberries cleaned through the grass; the
clumps Of shrubbcry were filled with delicious
berries; and grapc-vincs loaded the trees
with purple clusters. The choicest fruit
grew spontaneously, and the upland terraces
were covered with wh>at and barley, Sown
by tina lavish hand of Nature, for the food of
man.
In this delightful scene were scattered
groups of rustic cottages small simple,
rude in structure, but so cmbowcrcd with
foliage and surrounded with spreading trees,
and 50 in harmony with the landscape that
each cluster was new picture Of delight
Herds of cattle were lowing in the meadows,
horses lrghcd in their rich pastures, and
focks of sheep and goats gave beauty and
animation to the landscape. These were at
tended by shepherds and shcphcrdcsscS,
dressed in simple but graceful robes, and
crowned with flowers. With the lowing and
bcatin% of the herds, the soitcucd roar of
the distant cascades, the murmur Of the sum
MGR breeze, the hum of bees, were mingled
the melodies of rude shepherds pipes, and
choruscs of happy children at play The
old pcoplc-thcir venerable leads covered
with silver locks-sat in thc..shade of spread
ing trees, talking together of the days Of their
youth, or relating the traditions of their am
ccstors, and the events of their own early
days, to the young people who gathered
around them, full of affection and reverence
In this happy valley Of the almost forgot,
ten past, the wiscst governed by his counscls,
and the most beautiful was queen Where all
were lovely as perfect health, freedom from
care, and innocence, could make them, Ia
mar was the most beautiful, as her grandfu-
thcr Olcm, was esteemed most sage The
mother of lamar, who, in her youth, had
held the place now filled by her daughter,
was esteemed for her virtue and wisdom, as
much as she had ever been admired for her
lovclncss. The beautiful lamar was be-
loved by al-od and young. As she wan
dcrcd along the romantic banks of the river,
in the dcwy morning the blue fmamcnt with
its embroidery of silver clouds, seemed but
her canopy the trees and shrubs nodded their
homage; the flowers sent up their incense of
perfume the birds warblrd their melodies for
her delight; the very nocks stopped grazing
TO look at her. the horses ncighcd at her as
she drew near them sweet eyed gnzcllos ap-
preached her without fear In this harmo-
ny OF Nature she walhcd-ts quoen-robcd
in lustrous white, and crowned with choicest
flowers.
Among all the youths who admired fair
Tamar, two of the worthiest aspircd to the
favor of her love. Annette was one of the
bravcst as well rs one of the noblcst of the
youths Of the valley. No foot was swiitcr in
the racc-no arm stronger in the flood. He
could climb the precipicc with the noun
tain goat his arrow pierced the heart of the
spotted leopard or the fierce wolf, that came
to prey on the tlockS of the valley
lis cousin Jalcph was scarcely inferior to
him in manly sports They had grown up
together, and loved each other like brothers
Annette was dnrE-Jalcph fair Arnctt $
black, clustering locks were like the raven $
wing: Jolcphs shouc like the golden sun,
slime on the sea. Arncttc's dark eyes flashed
out their fires under his deep brows; ia
lcph's reflected The huc& .: Tic eoTuIgam
heavens
Both were brave, and strono. and heroic