The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer., 1862-07-19
t5e Dsbs Of tge 9ap, 9gritulturs, gitefature,


"nSu oh Aioul hou Paocou3 Shc was CuduS-
ed'from the sable-clad widow into the ra-
diant woman of her bridal days. Jewels
sparkled among her shining hair and
burned upon her bosom. They flashed
on neck and arms with brilliancy only
equalled by the splendor of her eyes,. No
cloud of sorrow fingered upon her smooth
white brow; no shade of sadness rested
there ; no anxious look betrayed an in
ward fear; but all was loveliness and per-
feet peace. She summoned her maid and
with firm and steady footstep she left
the palace.
The sun had long gone down. The
mellow glories of those Eastern skies had
faded out, and night and silence hung over
the Hebrew city. No sound of little chill
dren playing on the street, no hurryipg
to and fro, no hustle, no tumult; all was
silent, except, perhaps, the hurried foot
step of some belated traveller woke the ST.
lence; and the stars, like lovely watchers,
kept vigils over all. The fires upon the
towers had all gone out, save one nearest
"a gate of the city, by. whose light the
watchmen discern figure, followed closely
by another, hurrying nolselessly towards
the gates. They know it is Judith, and
wait to open them for her. She has
passed through and stands without the
city walls.
The sight is enough to appal stouter
heart than thine, Judith. That mighty
host encamped within the plain, is a mer-
ciless foe, thirsting for blood, whose motto
is "Booty and beauty" One moment she
pauses-but the prayers are in her heart.
The watchmen gaze after her, as she pass
es down the mountain side and disappears
in the valley below. The first watch Of
the Assyrians see her coming, and ask the
usual question--"Whence comest thou,
standing in the pathway"
Do any reproach her for the answer p
Remember, she had asked Divine guidance
in her undertaking. Perhaps, too, she
remembered the woman of Jericho, who,
under more critical circumstances, did not
hesitate to deceive the authorities of the
besieged city, and who alone with her
family were saved when all the rest were
destroyed. And she stood there, the he
roic judith, before that host of hostile
warriors. The camp fires shone full in
her face, butno member of her body ymoved,
neither did her lip tremble, as returning
the searching gaze of the sentinel, she an
swered, ~ am Hebrew woman of the
city ON the hill. Conduct me to your
chief, for have good news for him." A
guard then took her in charge, and led
her within the camp.
Holofernes lay upon his couch within
tent of superb magnifcence. The azure
canopy set with gems, from which the
crimson curtains were drawn aside, resem-
bled the blue vault Of heaven upon q
cloudless night. One little CLEAN of
light from the silver lamps in the outer
tent came streaming in, soft and gentle,
like the mild radiance of the summer noon.
Wearied and worn with long strife and
tumult, the victorious warrior slept. All
was very peaceful; but the slumber was
short; it seemed as if the very stiffness
woke the chieftain, so long accustomed to
the noise and strife Of battle. He arose
from has couch as # from long refresh
ing sleep, and entered the outer tent,
Hooded with q shower OF mellow Light
A servant entered, leading q woman w hose
features were not discernible through the
long ven that swept the noor, and who
upon oelng aware Of the presence OF the
cnieftain, feli down at his feet, The SER
m want raised ,as ner Up, ana Holoternes