The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-03-21
A STORY OF the GOLDEN AGE.

In the far of golden age, which histo.
rians allude to-an poets describe--in
the beautiful valley of small river whieh
emptes into the Saspian Sea. where ro.
ses bloomed in perpetual spring time;
where all sweet flowers filed the air with
fragrance, and all the melodism OF birds
with songs was gathered one of those
happy groups Of families in which man.
kind were divided in the first ages after
the deluge; before there were cities. king.
doms. wars and the sp endors, and vices,
and ctuelies Of more advanced ciyiliza,
ton.
The valley Of roses glowed like par
adise. The mountains, whose gliuering
peaks were like jeweled crown, sur.
rounded the valley. and shielded il from
the Geld blasts OF the Siberian Winds
Silver cascades dashed down the preci-
pices. through tvefgrcen trees. flowing
shrubs, and long. pendant vines. Tie
emerald green sward, that sloped down
to the river was bespangled with thou
sand gay and odorous flowers, red straw.
berries cleaned through the grass; the
clumps Of shrubbery were filed with de-
Icious berries; and grape vines loaded to
the trees with purple clusters. The
choicest fruit grew spontaneously, and
the upland terraces were covered with
wheat and barley, sown, by the lavish
hand Of nature, for the food OF man.
in this delightful scene we're scattered
groups Of rustic oottagcs-small sin pc,
rude in structure, but so embowcred
with foliage and surrounded with spread
ing trees and so in harmony with the
landscape, that each cluster VS. a new
picture of delight. Herds of cattle were
lowing in the meadows, horses neighed
in their rich pastures, and florks Of sheep
and goats gave besu'y and animation tc
the landscape. These were attended by
shepherds and shcpherdcsses, dressed in
simple and graceful robes. and crowned
with flowers. With the lowing and bleat
Ing Of the herds, the softencd roar OF the
distant cascades. the murmur OF the sum
m-r breeze the hum of bees, were mingled
tile melodies Of rude shepherds s pipes,a
chorusses of happy children at play. Th,
old people, their venerable heads cover
ed with silver locks-sat in the shade o
spreading trees talking together of thu
days Of their youth, or relating the tradl
tions CT their ancestors and the events o
their early days. to the young people wh'
gathered around them, full Of affection
and reverence
In this happy valley Of the almost for
Cotton past the wisest governsd b.
his couns~ls. and tie most beautiful wa
queen; where tlI w,re lovely as perfec
health, freed from care. as innocenc
could make them. lamar was the mos
beautiful, as her grandfather, Diem. VIZ
esteemed most sage. The mother Of Ia
mar, who in her youth, held the plac
now filed by her daughter, was esteem
ed for her virtue and wisdom as much a
she had ever leen admired for her lowell
ness. The beautiful lamar was belovc
by all--old and young. As she wander
ed along the romantic banks Of tie river
in the morning. the blue armament, wit
its embroidery Of silver clouds, SCENE
but her canopy; the trees and shrubs nod
dcd their homage of perfume; the bird
war bled their melodies for her deligh
the 1ocks stopped grazing to look at hel
the sweet eyed gazelles approached he
without fear. III this harmony Of Datur
she walked--its queen robed in lustrou
white, and crowned with choicest flow
ers.
Among al the youths who admire
fair lamar, two Of the wol,hicst aspire
TO the fovor of her love. Annette WI
one Of the bravest as well as one of Il
nobl' st youths of the valley. No fo'
was swfler in the Tace-no arm slrol
{ ger in the flood. He could climb Il
precipice with the mountain goa
his arrow pierced tle heart ot Il
! spotted leopard DR. the fierce WOLF. tn
came to prey on the hocks Of the valley
His cousin Jaleph was scarcely inferi
10 him in manly sports. They had grow
up together, and loved each other Iii
brothers. Arnet'e was dark-Jaleph VI
, fair. Arnette's black clustering lo,l
we're like the ravens wing; Jslpph's sLo
like the golden sunshine on the sea. A
sT nette's dark eyes flashed out their fir
Of under his deep brows, Jalephs refect'
the hues OF the cerulean heavens. Bo
were brave and strong, and heroic.
!, Annette had more strength and dignit
\ Jaleph had more skill and grace. C.
: was stateler in his walk, the other mo
" aerial in his dance.
Te Both loved her. In a thousand wa
J y each told his love. Annette present
her with gorgeous plume Of the bird
= paradise; Jaleph wove for her a garla
of matcbless beauty, made Of shells al
&c flowers. Annette trained for her a hor
4 4 feet as the antelope; Jaleph learned
9 play melodies which filed her innoce
slumbers with enchanting dreams.