The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-08-20
MISCELLANY.
Zillah and Korah,
AN EASTERN STORY.

Tho tents of Dram gliticred in the sun
that shOne on IA vast plain. watercd by
the head branches of the river Euphrates.
a specous tent was pitched upon knoll,
where a small river curved around a
peninsula; a cluster Of smaller tents was
gathered around it; then there was an
open space and Il line of tents again, form
ing an outer circle. The banks cf the
stream were lrnged with trees tall palms
waved their green branches over the
peninsula, and scattered over the plain
were vast herds of cattle, f)ck5 of sheep,
with many camels and horses. There
were, also, great fields Of wheat, barley
and maize
A tall, aged, white. bearded man sat in
the shaded entrance of the largest tent.
Groups OF women were engaged in various
feminine employment. Some were spin
ming wool with distalf, some weaving
the cloth in rude looms to make tents and
clothing. Others were washing garments
in the river. Others were grinding wheat
between two stones. preparing bread, and
the shade oi the tents, or bercath the palm
trees.
J he lovely Zlllah, daughter of Dram.
the tavorite child Of his fIvuriie wife, sat
AT her fathers sent; but hor eyes wander.
ed far out on the plain, where she saw a
horseman Of noble carriage ii young man
who had Il few days before. claimed her
fathers hospitality. Ter checks flushed,
her dark eyes moistcned, her bosom heaved
with deeper inspiration.
Is there anything my beautiful one
can ask iorS' said the grave Dram. a he
looked down with loving. paternal eyes
upon the lovely folm resting peacefully
against his knee.
"No, my father; Zillah has all that
she can ask. But tell me, father, who is
that stranger who came to us two days
ago, alone, across the desert ?"
Elm, fugitive from battle, His
kindred were killed lie only escaped by
the flcctncss of his horse lie i. young
and strong After a few days rest he will
60 10 scok some distant kin.men."
Zillah sighed again. The patriarch
looked at her with sad carncslness, but
said no more. She rose, kissed his hand
revcrcntly. pressed it to her forehead and
retired into the rccesSrs of the tent.
Elm, the fugitive, who sat his feet
courser with princely grace, rode from
group to group over the plain, conversing
with the leaders of the bands who guarded
the nocks and herds, or witnessed the
games, the races, the fcats Of strength and
agility, the training of horses and the
warlike exercises.
The golden aged had passed away, or
fingered in the recesscs of the mountains
Men had clustered together to protect
each other from violence, and everywhere
the weak sought refuge with the strong.
Dram was strong in battle wise in counsel.
Men who sought his friendship gave him
their daughters for wifes, and hol ses,
camcs. cattle and slaves for their dowry.
F'ugitives from the rapinc of some lawless
bandit came and bowed their heads to
Dram, and said: /" Feed and protect us,
and we will serve the" His sons became
the leaders of troops of horsemen. The
patriarchal princes of the land sought his
daughters in marriage. Thus Dram,
strong and wise, was feared and honored.
And yet, every day, well-mounted
scouts skirted the horizon, and every night
the ilocks and herds were gathered about
the tents, and watchful sentres were
posted under the stars. Bands of robbers
sometimes dashed down the mountains in
search of plunder There was, also, one
patriarchal chief at fcud with Dram II
began in youth when they sued for the
same maiden. 1t had grown with age, a:
Dram became more powerful and pros
porous. Bitter, relentless WAS Barak':
hate. and he waited the hour of ven
Geance,
As the sun descended TO the horizon
rGbed in splendors with which the Occi
dent celebrates his coming, the still beau
tiful mother of Zillah, the iavorite wife o
Dram, reclined upon couch of tiger