The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1860-09-19
The Vale of Roses

flowers filed the air with their fragrance and all mel
odious birds with song-was gathered of those
. happy groups of families, into which mankind were
divided in the first ages after the deluge before there
were cities kingdoms, and spendors, and vices,
and cruelties of a more advanced civilization.
| The vale of roses gowea like new paradise The
mountains, whose gltteriug peaks like jeweed
crown surrounded the valley and shielded it from the
cold blasts OF the Siberian wds Silver cascades dash
ed down the preepices through evergreen trees flow
eIing shrubs aud long, pendant vines. The emerald
green sward that sloped down to the river was bespan
gled with thousand gay and odorous flowers red
Strawberries cleaned through the grass the clumps OF
shlbberv filled with delicious berries, and grape
vines loaded the trees with purple clusters The choicest
fruits grew spontaneously, and the upland terraces
were covered with wheat and barley soYn by the lavish
hand of nature, for the food of man
= In this delightful scene were scattered groups OF
rustic cotages-sna simple rude in structure but so
embowered with foliage, and surrounded with spread
ing trees and so in harmony with the landscape, that
0 each cluster picture OF delight. Herds OF
cattle lowing in the meadows, horses neghed in
their rich pastures and ocks of sheep and goats gave
beauty and animation to the landscape. These were
attended bv shephards and shepherdesses dressed sim
iply but gracefully, and crowned with flowers With
the lowing and bleatng of the herds the sottened roar
of the distant cascades; the murmur Of the summer
breeze the hum Of bees mngie the melodies OF
rude Shepherds pipes and choruses of happy children
at play The old people-ther venerable heads cover
ed with silver locks-sat in the shade OF spreading
trees talking together Of the days OF their youth, or
relating the legends and traditions OF their ancestors,
and the events of their early days to the young
people who gathered around them full of affection and
reverence.
In this happy valley of the almost forgotten past
the wisest governed by his counsels, and the most
beautiful was queen. Where all were lovely per
feet health freedom from care and innocence could
make them lamar was most beautiful, and her grand
father Oem was esteemed the most sage. The
mother of Tamar who in her youth had held the place
now filed by her daughter was esteemed tor her VIZ
tue and wisdom much she had ever been admired
for her loylines5 The beautiful Iamar was beloved
by al-the old and the Young. As she wandered along
the romantic banks Of the river in the dewy morning,
the blue frmament with its embroidery OF silver cloud
seemed but her canopy; the and shrubs nodded
their homage the flowers sent up their incense OF per
fe; the birds warbled their melodies for her delight;
the very graz to los her. the horse
ueiohed at her as she drew near them; sweet-eyed
c,zes approached her without fear In this harmony
of nature she walked--its queen-robed in luStrous
white and crowned with choicest flowers.
Among all the youths who admired fair Tanar, two
of the worhiest aspred to the favor OF her love Ar
nette was one of the bravest and obiest youths OF the
valley No foot was swifter in the race arm was
stronger in the food He could climb the precpice
with the mountain goat; his pierced the heart OF
the spotted leopard the fierce wo1, thatcame down
to prey on the fo4ks Of the valley.
Ills cousin Jaeph was scarcely inferior to him in any
'''AN
each other like brothers Annette was dark Jaleph
was fair Arnettes black, clustering locks were like
the ravens wing; Jalephs shone like the sunshine on
the sea. Arnettes dark eyes flashed out their hres
under his dark brows Jalephs reflected the hucs OF
the ceruean heavens.
Both we're brave, and strong and heroic If Ar
nette had more strength and dignity Jaleph bad more
skill and grace One statler in his walk, the 9th
er was more aerial in the dance
Both loved lamar. In thousand ways each told
- with raNfrG
plune of the bird of paradise Jaeph wove for her
garland of matcbless beauty made OF shells and How
ers Arrette trained for her horse eeta the antelope;
Jaleph learned to play the melodies which Ellcd her
: innocent slumbeIs with enchanting dreams
, So believed Tamar was very happy. No one could
tell which swain she favored Had each been her own
brother she could not have been more kind. The aged
} people, who loved all their children, looked on and
shook their heads; for they that this must end and
D they feared that it might end in sorrow
) The time came when lamar also and felt that
the noble cousins loved her with than brothers
affection Annette, the most mpetuous, first declared
! his passion.
"Tamar he said, 'beautful lamar love thee y
Dear Annette" breathed from the open heart of
the innocent maiden.
'.Wilt thou be minc?N
Herlovey face which had bcen..radient with happi-
ness, was couded now with doubt and perplexty Ar
nette saw, and asked again in deep, subdued tones:
! 20 beautiful one, wilt thou be mine.
Inc liuttuN 9liI GOV tISNA ItNi lay VIII 'IO' '
and burst into tears.
Jaleph at that moment came upon them, holling in
his hand an offering of flowers. Hestopped amoment
in surprise at the dark brow Of Annette, and the fearful
distress Of his beloved Tamar lie grew pale, as his
heart told him the decisive hour had come.
With the frankness that beloRed to the age OF hero
ic innocence before centuries OF seIshness, rapactv
poverty and crime had marred the bodies and detorn
ed souls Of men, he held out one hand to has uYai and
the other to the beautiful one he adored,
~ too love yon beautiful Tamar," said the youth
with the blue eyes and golden hair. "God of our tah
} ers witness my deep love. Here we stand Choose
between u.s."
pang shot through the heart of each, but they
stood each nobIy resigned to the fate that awaited him.
Talnar looked on each. SO long she loved both,
with the pure love of sanity maidenhood, that the
deeper love now profcred only vexed and perpIeNed
her How could she take herself from either?
How hurt one when both were SO dear? "Arnette,
Jaleph why ask me to choose? Are we not happy:
Solet remain.
The Young men looked in each others saddened
ewes and each one felt that it could be SO longer
The happy time had passed
AS the group stood, handiu-hand in the glow of the
sunset the mother of Tam came in her sweet Iatron-
" dignity, to greet them.
.sWhat is this, my children" she asked in alarm as
she saw their sorrowfu faces, and her daughters fall
ing tears.
Dear mother" cried Tamar, chow can choose be-
tween those oye:'
The mother smiled, but the smile was not liee from
sadness.
MY laughterr she replied, ''there must be one we
love above all Others
''Mother, mother, said the poor grl she buried
her face in her bosom; both have been 50 kind,
noble, 50 loving to all my life how can hurt one
or he other"
Again the sad smile.
Come with me- my daughter YOU, my children, go;
in seven DAYS lamar shall answer you.
Thev kissed the mothers hand held out TO them
They looked enderly at the weeping girl, and walked
away handin-hand There rancor or Jealousy
III tiftiir Il bth telt HIS
fe's happiness was stake. To light for the posses
sion of the object Of their love, however mode
of settling their rival etensions ettto the darkness
and ferocty of succeeding ages when the earth should
be stained with crime and blood
Annette and Jeleph were together ever, in their
light abors and their manly pastimes. Two days had
passed, and they swimming in the river. Wheth-
er exhausted by exercise weakened emotion, Jaeph
could not swim with his usual strength Soon his gold
locks We're seen to sink beneath the His sin
ewy arms grew powerless. cry from the shore
alarmed Annette. He looked for his cousin, and the
next moment plunged beneath the surface In few
moments he bore him TO the shore, where he
covered.
Again they were hunting the leopard in the noun
f1I Il