The Litchfield County post., 1827-01-02


 had received from her kinsmen. The ladies of tl.o parties shook their heads and were silent !: and altogether I never saw
 more evil agony, although the termination was not so disasleous as that woich I once { Witnessed upon nearly simalar occasion. l Tue lady, according to custom. came first. She had many ot her friends about { her :; and the whole company showed more joy than is generally exhibited by 'he polite world, even on these happy e.
 vents. There appered to be sort ofcon- graduation amongst them, as though they had brought some fortunate circumstance to pass of which they had dispaired and amid them also was tall bluf-looking brother, who seemed very we'll pleased with she success of his exertions. The bride. too was in high spirits, & talked & smiled with her bridesmaid, arranged her dress at the glass, and carried her head with an air. So much were the party occupied wi'h their own satisfied feelings, that they did not aprear to obser, e the wild and hae- gard look ofthe bridegroom. I was shocked and alarmed at the pale and ghastly coun- tenance which he presented he was dressed in black, and though somebody took notice of this circumstance, it was on- ly to joke about it. To me he seemed to be under the infuense of bandy or of lau- danunl, for ;ie. e.talkcd. strangely and laugll- ed Ill such man3er that l shuddered at the sound. Nobody. however, appeared to regard it, and the wedding party enter ed the church as gaily as possible. During ldhe ceremony the bridegroom's s mood chan- ged: as IT struck bysitss solemnity. he be- came grave and sliade ofainexpressible sadness passed oyer lis wan, cold brow and large drops of perspiration chased each other down his face. The nuptial rite end- ed, he stopped forward to kiss the bride, and just as the clergyman turned to leave the altar, drew pistol from his bosom, and shot himself through the heart before an arm could be raised to prevent hinlt Down dropped the new married couple together. for this unhappy gentleman had entangled himself in his wife's drapery, and dragged her with him as he fell. IL was horrid sight tosee the dead and theliying stretch- ed in the feaerful ombIace upon the ground. Paralized by the report of the psstol, we stood ahast, and minute elasped before even iaeould stretch out my hand to extri- cate the bride from her shocking situations, She had not tainted, and she could not weep but her eyes were glazed, her fea- lures rigid, and her skin changed to deep leaden hue.--Her satinrobe was in sevetal | places stained with blood and surely new CT was any spectacle half so gIiostlys! Her friends repressed their tears and sobss and, gathered round her attempted to convey, her away. She submitted as if unwittingly; hut when her foot was on the threshold of the portal she burst into leng,and continual shrieks. The whole church rang with the appalling cry; and it was not until she had completely exhausted herself by her screams, and had sunk into a sort of torpor. interrupted by low moans, that she could of taken from the fatal spot. A coroner's inquest sat in the ,vestry, and sad tale of female levity, and of the weakness and lib- ertinism ofman, came out. But the sub- | iect is toospaintul to dwell upon, and glad ly turn to pleasenter recollections.
 | We had very pleasant party shortly afterwards, who arrived in two carriages.
 The bride was young and fair, but she held her head down, and seemed greatly agita- ted. 1t was very easy to perceive that her heart had not been consulted in the choice ofa husband. The father d tall heavy browed man, cast severe and fhreatning looks upon his trembling daughter but the mother, though she seemed equally bent on the match, interceded for little cessa- lion of hostilities, and when the shrinking girl asked to be allowed to walk for mo- nient with one friend in the church, in or der to collect her scattered thoughts leave was granted. As she passed out the door she dropped her white satin rctcule, and it clanked heavily against the steps---a sound not at all like that of a smelling bottle ,and must confess hat my curiosity was strong ly excited. Iendeavored.t to pick it up--- but before Iconld bend my arm, which is a little stif'with therheumatism she had whip- 1 ped it off the ground, and down the side a. 1. isle she went, leaning upon her compan- ion's arm. This aisle is long, and rather dark, terminating in a heavy oak screen, which conccals the green baize door lead- ing to the front portal. She passed behind and was seen no more Isthonaht it very Todd, but itwas not my place to speak, so | returned into the vnstry room, tha, might not be questioned. Presently the bride- groom arrived, and an illfasoured gentle man he was, with fretful discontented countenance and beean coanlaininp of