Nebraska advertiser., 1867-02-28
s elect s torn.



THE Valley OF ROSES.
In the far of Golden Age-whIch his
torians allude % and poets dsscribe--in
the beautiful valley Of a small river which
empties into the Caspian Sea, where ro-
ses bIoomed il a perpetual spring time
where all sweet flowers flled The air
with fragrance, and all melodieus birds
with song-was gathered one Of those
happy groups of families, into which
mankind were divided in the first ages
after the Deluge; before there were
cities, kingdoms, wars and The spIendors,
and vices, and cruelties Of a more adVan-
ced civilization
The Vale Of Roses glowed ike new
paradise. The mountains, whose glitter
ing peaks are like a jeweled crown, sur.
rounded the valley, and shielded il from
the cold blast Of the Siberian wilds. Sill
yer cascades dashed down the precipices,
through evergreen trees, fowerine
shrubs, and long. pendent vines. The
emerald grown swaFd that sloped down
to the river was bespangled with ihous-
and gay and odorous flowers; red straw
berries cleaned through the grass the
clumps Of shrutbery were filled with de-
licious berries and grape-vines loaded
the trees with purple clusters. The choi-
cestfruils 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 were scattered
groups of rustic cottages-small, simple,
rude in structure, bur so emnowered with
foliage, and surrounded with spreading
frees. and SO III harmony with the land
scape, that each cluster was a new PIC
ture Of delight. Herds of cattle were
lowing in the meadows, horses neighed
in their rich pastures, and aocks Of sheep
and goats gave beauty and animation to
the landscape. These were attended by
shepherds and shepherdesses dressed in
simple but graceful robes, and crowded
with flowers. With the lowing and blea-
ting of the herds, the softened roar of
the distant cascades; the mprmur Of the
summer breeze. the hum Of bees, were
mingled the melodies of rude shepherds,
pipes, and chor1ses of happy Children at
play. The old people--lheir venerable
heads covered With silver locks sat auder
the spreading trees, talking together Of
the days Of their youth, or relating the
traditions of their ancestors and the
events Of their own early days, to tbe
young people; who gathered around
them full Of affection and reverence.
In this happy valley Of this almos! for
Cotton past--the wisest governed by his
conssls, 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 beau
tiful, as her grandfather, Olem, wass es-
teemed most sage. The mother Of Ia
mar, who in her youth, had held the
place now filled by her daughter, was es-
Ieemed for her virtue and wisdom, as
much as she had ever been admired for
her lovllness. The beautiful Tamar was
beloved by all--the old and young. As
she wandered along the romantic bank OF
the river, in the dewy morning, the blue
armament. with its embroiders of silver
clouds, seemed bur her canopy; The trees
and shrubs NODDED their homage, the
flowers sent up ;heir incense of perfume !;
The brds warbled.their melodies for her
delights; the aocks stopped grazing TO
look al her the horses neIghed at her
as she drew near them sweet eyed
gazelIes approached her without fear
In this harmony Of Natufs she walked
its queen--robe d in iustrous white, and
crowned with choicest flowers.
Among all The youths Who admired
fair lamar, two of the worthiest aspired
to the favor of her love. Annette was
one Of the grayest and nobelest Of the
youths Of the valley. No foot was swift
Ter in the race 40 arm stronger IN the
food. He could climb The precipice
with the mopnlain goat his arrow
pierced the heart Of the spotted leopard.
or the fiercest wolf, that came TO prey
on the focks Of the valley.
His cousin Jaleph was scarcely inferi-
or in manly sport. They had grown up
together, and loved each other like broth
eFs. Annette was dark--Jaleph fair
Arnette's black. clustering locks were
like the ravens wing Jaleph's shone
like the golden sunshine on The seq. Ar.
neue's dark eyes dashed out their fres
under his deep brows Jaleph's reflected
lhe hues of the cerulean heavens.
Both were brave and strong. and hero
ic. If Annette had more strength and
dignity, Jaleph had more skill and graz
ses. One was statlier il his walk the
other.more aerial in the dance.
Both loved lamar. Ia a thousand
ways, each toId his love. Arneue pre-
sented her with a Gorgeous plume Of the
oird of paradise. Jaieph w0ye for her a
garland Of matehless beauty, made Of
Ihells and flowers. Annette trained for
Ter a horse fleet as an antelope Jaleph
earned to play the melodies which flled
leT innocent slulnbeE wish enchanting
lreams.
So beloved, TamaT was very happy
20 one could tell which swain she favor
ID. Had each one been her brother.
he eeuld not have been more kind.
Ihe aged people. who loved all their
hildern, looked On and shock their heads,
or they saw that this must end ard shev
card that Il might end in sofrow.
The time came when Tauuar also saw
nd felt, tnat the noble cousin loved her
nth more than q bTOtheFly love. Arnet-
e, the more impetnoas, FIRST declared his