The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-08-30

ing together OF the Gays Oh tnelf youtll, |
or relating the traditions of their ances- |
tors and the events Of their own early |
days, to the young people who gathered |
around them full of affection and reVer-
ence.
In this happy valley of the almost for
gotten past, the wisest governed by his
counsels, and the most beautiful was queen.
Where all were lovely as perfect health,
freedom from care, and innocence, could
make them, lamar was the most beautiful,
as her grandfather, Olem, was esteemed
most sage The mother Of Tamar, who,
in her youth, had held the place now fill
ed by her daughter, was esteemed for her
virtue and wisdom, as much as she had
ever been admired for her loveliness.-
The beautiful lamar was beloved by all
old and young. As she wandered along
the romantic banks Of the river, IN the
dewy morning, the blue armament, with
its embl oidery of silver clouds, seemed
but her canopy the trees and shrubs nod
ded their homage; the flowers sent up
their incense of perfume ; the birds war
bled their melodies for her delight; the
very focks stopped grazing to look at her;
the horses neighed at her as she drew
near them sweet-eyed gazellcs approach
ed her without fear. In this harmony Of
Nature she walkcd-its quccn-robed in
lustrous white, and crowned which choic
est flowers.
Among all the youths who admired fair
| lamar, two Of the worthiest aspircd to
| the favor of her love. Annette was one
of the bravest as well as one Of the no
blest of the youths Of the valley. No
foot was swifterin the race-no arm strong
cr in the food. lie could climb the prec-
ipice with the mountain goat his arrow
pierced the heart Of the spotted leopard
or the fierce wolf, that came to prey on
the focks Of the valley.
His cousin Jaleph was scarcely inferi-
or to him in manly spots. They had
grown up together, and loved each other
!! like brothers. Annette was dark-Jal-
eph fair Arncttc's black, and clustering
locks were like the ravens wing Jaleph's S
shone like the golden sunshine on the sea.
Arnettes deep brows Jaleph's reflected
the hucs of the cerulcan heavens.
Both were brave, and strong, and he
roic. If Annette had more strength and
dignity, Jaleph had more skill and grace.
One was statclier in his walk the other
more aerial III the dance.
Both loved lamar In a thousand
ways, each told his love. Annette pre-
sentcd her with gorgeous plume of the
bird of paradise: Jalcph wove for her a
garland of matchlcss beauty, made of
shells and flowers. Arnette trained for
her horse feet as the antelope Jaleph
learned to play the melodies which filed
her innocent slumber with enchanting
dreams.
SO beloved, lamar was very happy. No
one could tell which swain she fayorcd-
Had each one been her brother, she could
not have been more kind. The aged people,
who loved all their children, looked on and
shook their heads; for they saw that this
must end, and they feared that il might
end in sorrow.
The time came when Tamar also saw
and felt that the noble cou sins loved hef
with more than a brotherly love. Annette,
the more impetuous, first declared his
passion
"Tamar,7 he said, beautiful lamar,
love thcc"'
"Dcar Annette" breathcd from the open
heart OF the innocent maiden.
"Wilt thou be mine|'
Her lovely face which had been radiant
with happiness, was clopdcd now with
doubt and perp.exity. Annette saw, and
asked again in deep, subdued tones, &c
beautiful one, wilt thou be mine?"
The queenly girl covered her face will
her hands, and b1rst into tears.
Jaleph at that moment came upon them
holding in his hand an offering Of flowers
He stopped moment in surprise at the
dark brow of Annette, and the fearful dis
trcss of his beloved lamar. He grew pale
as his heart told him the decisive hou
had come.
With the frankncss that belonged to Tho
age of heroic innoccnce-beforc centuries
of sclfshness, rapacity, poverty and crime
had marred the bodies and deformed tn
souls of mcn-he held out one hand to hi
rival, and the other to the beautiful on
they both adorcd.
, Il, too, love you, beautiful lamar, s;i'
the youth with the blue eyes and COLDER
, hair. ..God of our fathers, witness m
deep love. Here we stand. Choose be
, tween us.
A pang shot through the heart of each
, but they stood, each nobly resigned to tn
; fate that awaited him.
Tamar looked on each. So long had sh
loved both, with the pure love of saint
r naai9enhood, that the deeper love no'
} profercd only perplexed and distresse