Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-11-19

Pihv-Wates Oi her infant years, to whose
circle she was about to bid farew ell, and by
whom, after the parting dance, she was es-
corted home with mirthful triumph and in
nocent gaiety.
Two maidens were universally allowed
to be the most beautiful of all their com
peers, and we're most frequently elected to
preside over their festivities. These were
Bertha Woolscroft, and Mary Syden.-
United by the tenderesi cndeannents OF
friendship, they were lnseparable compan-
Ions,and in general elected jointly "queens
Of the dance and leaders of the o.
Twas strange too, that so close friendship
should unite them and the palm of beauty
be SO equally bestowed, for in appearance
they were totally different Bertha was IN
figure tall and graceful, her locks "dark as
the ravens wing her eye black bright and
piercing, her air, proud and commanding
Mary was about the middle size or perhaps
rather below il more stout, thou Oh no,
less elegantly formed than hercompanion as
we would now saw, inclined to en- bon p0snt
Her complexion, pure as alabaster through
which the small blue veins shone transpa.
rent-her cheek the rosy twilig ht of sum
mer even-ber bright auburn hair cluster
ed over her low white brow, throwing into
shade those sparkling, laughing, violet
eyes. inll of innocent enjoyment-the very
bower of Cupid
Perchance had their passion been excit-
ed IN the world their characters had differ
ed as their beauty. Bertha had been violent
naughty and commanding. Mary, gentle,
patient, quiet and submissive but in that
calm retreat, where no storms called forth
the lurking powers, or reused the Fl aiities
OF The human heart, they were alike gentle
and afiectlonate; loving and trusting to
leach other without thought concealed, or
title OF envy; equally beloved by their
companions, none could say which was the
most endearIngly beautiful, which was the
most admired.
Two such maideDs were not without
host of lovers; but The favorie SWANS were
Edward and Harry Clifford, their play fel-
lows from earliest infancy. Harry was
quiet, patient and grave, yet he chose tine
dark eyed Bertha Tor his bride Edward
was quick. volatile aud irasc,ble. yet his
heart was warmly alive to feelings of the
tendercst sympathy; his disposition was al
10 ctIonate, and the laughing, gentle Mary
his SOULS dearest idol.
The day was appointed for their happy
bridal, and The evening before found all the
naldens OF the village devoted to their rural
ceremonies in thas enchanting meadow
lhey were on the point OF escorting home
'helr lovely pair OF betrohed brides, late in
the clear moonlight night, and their sweet
toned voices loudly carrolled forth their
| songs of farewell graduation Bertha and
Mary,each slender waist encircled by her
dear friends arm had strolled towards the
lower part OF the strip OF land enjoying unin-
| terrup.ed converse about their dear loves,
and their approaching happiness, when sud
denly two of the swar riders Of Coningsbro
sprang from behind n thicket, and cIasping
the shreking maidens, bore them fanting
to their coai-black steeds. The ruthless
villains had been attracted to that peaceful
spot by the voice Of gaiety land seized 1.-THE
flowers OF fairest bloom.o as an acceptable
booty for their savage lord
Overwhelmed with terror the pretty maids
of BraithwelI hurried TO the town, loudly
bewailing the fate Of their lost companions.
In few minutes the whole community was
aroused by their cries and lamentations -
nc IoNeiS HFst Cdubnt the didrHl, AhO ITdH-
tic with rage, loudly demanded vengeance.
Edward flew TO the dancing meadow, with
the speed of an aroused tiger he followed
the track of the swart riders, with the saga
city aud perseverance of a sleath- Inbound,
and though he vainly endeavored to over
take the well mounted horsemen, kept their
path amid all the intrcacies of The forest,
I'LL he discovered they bent ,her way to the
castle of Conngsbro'. ...
In the mean time all was uproar and con-
fusion in the town. The seats were vacant
in the dear domestic circles. The song of
pleasure and the laugh of innocen, hisrity,
were changed to signs and tears. Not an
eye was closed in sleep. Lights were in
every house, and while the females could
but lamen, their dearly beloved friends, the
men gathered before the doors, denouncing
their threats of vengeance, and anxiously
endeavoring to collect some certain infor-
nation of the route pursued bv the unprin-
,, cipled ravishers. Harry ran from groupe
to groupe, conjuling every one by all the
ties they held most dearly their regard
for The honor of their daughters-by their
love for the betrothed-by all their hopes
of happiness. to prepare arms and advance
TO the pursuit.
With the first bright steaks of morning,
magistrates and elders had assembled every
man in the market place, and endeavored
to calm their irritation until more certainty
! 1 1 x~F. l. r