The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-09-06
THE VALLEY OF LIFE
BY Z. j. B.

! One beautiful morning in the month
of May; whilst nature shone forth in all
! her beauty and splendor, the hills and
tdales echoing the little songster's notes,
as lie warbled from his perch on some
tender twis, / started upon a morning
ramhle. Ny gun and dog were my on
ly companions. I travelled along, con-
templating the works of nature, and
thought of the omnipotence ofs1Iim
who spoke all these beautiful things
into existence.
passed, through groves, where each
creature seemed to vie with the other
in singing praises to their creator.
could not find heart enough to mar
their joyous pranls, and my gun re-
manned upon my shoulder, without be-
ing discharged the first time.
Then would emerge from the grove
into some natural meadow, with sill
very brock meandering through the
rich carpet that nature afforded it.
Tiny little fish would spring up ont Of
the clear water to catch ray of the
SUMS golden light. The breeze waited
a fragrance that filed the soul with de-
flight, from the beautiful fioweIs that
lifted their odOrous tops above the sur
rounding vegetation. l journeyed on,
unconscious of the route l was pursu-
ing, until, at last, I came to noun
tain ridge that doomed its capped
peak to the heavens.
saw directly before me cave, large
enough to admit me with but little dit
ficulty. So, being of q curious DISPOSE
ton, 1 prepared me a torch, and enter
ed boldly in. 1t was SO dark could
not see three feet in front Of my face,
but no ways daunted, sought to solve
the mystery Of the cave, and find out
whittier it led. proceeded some time
in STOPPING posture, with my gun
ready, in case of danger from wild ami
mails, and held the torch firmly with
my right hand Finally 1 became
alarmed, thinking had lost my way,
and should never be able to get out
again. In my excitement the torcl.
was extinguished. What was to do
now, was my next thought, as wan
dered about in the darkness, not know
ing which passage l had entered
Presently a hope predominated over
fear. l distinguished a dim light at the
farthest extremity of the cave. ca
gerly pressed forward to escape my
precarious situation, and the damp odor
which was emitted from the crevices in
the walls of my subterranean passage.
l succeeded in reaching a narrow open
ing, which | passed through, sustaining
some severe bruises, however, in the
attempt. After gaining freedom, and
looking out before me, 1 was dumb
founded. Mortal man can not describe
the scene 1 Witnessed Before me lay,
stretched for miles and miles, one OF
the most beautiful valleys ever con-
ceived by man. I can not paint the
grandeur of its scenery as it should be;
it was clothed with vegetation exceed
ing ours in splendOr as much as the sun
does the moon Here and there groves
: studded its smooth green surface, scat
teiing delightful shade all around
Birds of the most gorgeous plumage,
and notes that charmed all that fell in
their way, swarmed in the trees. Nice
cool streams checkered its sreen man
tie, and flowed into lake whose wa
tiers abounded with golden fish. A
gentle breeze was continually filling
the air with delicious odors upon
which q person could enjoy eternal
happiness.
| watched these scenes until mag
ined myself transported up to heaven !;
making my way up to grove close by,
l was soon lost in revery, and wonder
ed where l could be. Suddenly, ] felt
some one touch my arm. Upon look
ing up was amazed at beiiolding a
person about four feet in height, with
long glossy hair which hung in ring
lets around his majestic brow; his COM
plexion was white as alabaster, with
the exception of his checks, which were
of q beautiful sed tint; lie was clothed
in gold /; his head was covered with a
magnificent gold crown set with dia-
monds, and gold slippers were upon
his feet.
i He seemed afraid of me at first. ]
] spoke to him, and made friendly mo-
| tons which he readily understood; lie
scrutini2ed me very closely, after sat
isfying his curiosity, he then examined
my gun and dog; he seemed greatly
amused at the report Of my gnn when
fred it to show him what it was for.
He then signed for me to follow him
! which did. He led me toward city
that dazzled SO in the suns rays, that
c9aid not see which way to proceed
lie dipped his finger in little stream
that flowed near us, and dropped
! particle of the impid fluid in each eye
: Immediately beheld sights that Nor
, tai eye could not witness. Everythin
, seemed resplendant with the luster 9