Litchfield enquirer., 1842-07-21
From Graham's Magazine for July.
 THE BRIDAL A SCENE FROM REAL LIFE.
BY ROBERT MORRIS, ESQ.

The scene was one of mirth, and joy, and loveliness, and beauty. Two spacious par lors had been thrown open In one of the largest houses in Arch street. Lights had glittered in the various chambers since early undown-carriages by dozens had driven up to the door, each freighted with friends or relatives, so that the world without found little difficulty in arriving at the conclusion that some extraordinary scene of festivty was in progress within the walls of that spacious mansion.
 It was about nine o'clock when we ente- red. The two large parlors, brilliantly illu- minated by gas, and glittering with rich collection of young and beautiful females, each dressed in the most tasteful or gorgeous manner, presented a scene truly magnifi- cent. For a moment the eye seemed to quail before the general flash, while the mind al- so grew dizzy; but these feelings lasted but for the instant, as friends were to be met on all sides, and we soon found ourselves ming ling in the giddy and trifling conversation that too many of our fair countrywomen seem to delight in on such occasions. Still, as the first flash passed by, we paused to contemplate the scene in calmer and more meditative spirit.
 The party was a "Brdal' one, and the bride was the daughter of one of our most | respectable merchants, a worthy, good hearted man, who had devoted himself to his business, and paid no attention whatever to the frivolities of fashionable life. The 1 bride seemed very young-not more than sixteen or seventeen. She could not be re- gardcd as beautiful in the general appreci- aton of the world, and yet she had one of the sweetest faces that we ever saw. She had soft blue eyes, brown hair which fell over her shoulders in ringlets,.a pretty and expressive mouth with teeth that seemed to us faultless- Her complexion was clear, but her face looked rather pale, although at times it became flushed aud ruddy as the rose. Her dress as of the richest white satin, and the ornaments of her hair and neck and wrists consisted almost exclusive ly of pearls. Her frame was slight and full of symetry, and her voice was remarkable for the gentleness and amiabilty of its tone. We gazed upon her calmly for many min utes, and the thought passed through our 1 mind-"So young, so fair, so delicate, so happy, and yet so willing to enter upon the severe responsibilities of the wife and the mother" "Who," we inquired of ourselves, "may read that young creatures destiny ?- Doubtless she loves the object of her choice with a woman's virgin ana devoted love- doubtless she believes that the next sixteen years of her life will prove radiant with happiness, even more than the girlish and sunny period which has just gone by and doubtless the youth that has won that gentle heart believes that he possesses the neces- sary requisites of mind and disposition to render her happy. And yet how often has the bright cup of joy been dashed from the lips of woman when about to quaf it How often does man prove recreant and false !- How often is he won from his homo and hic young wife, whose heart gives away slowly and steadily, under the influence of such in- difference and neglect" But we paused and dismissed these gloomy reflections.
 The nuptial ceremony was pronounccd- for a moment all was breathless silence and then the busy hum broke forth as audi ply as ever. The wedding was in all re- spects brilliant one It was followed up by party after party, so that nearly month rolled away before the giddy round was :, over. The only one who did not appear to mingle fully in the general feeling was the mother of the bride. She loved her daugh- ter so tenderly that it seemed impossible for her to consign her :o other hands She was one of those women who devote themselves wholly to their children, and who have no world without them. On the night of the wedding, tear would occasionally roll down her cheek as she gaZed upon her chastc child and as a tide ofmaternal recol- lections melted all her soul!
 The world rolled on. We frequently saw the young bride in the streets, and her cousin who was our immediate neighbor. spoke of her prospects as cheering and happy. But one evening, just after sundown, and less than a year since we had seen each other at the wedding, he called, and with rather a graver aspect invited us to accompany him for few minutes to the house of his aunt the same house that had glittered with so much light, and re.echoed with so much laughter on the night of the Bridal. We proceeded along calmly, for although some what struck by the sedate aspect of our friend, it did not excite much surprise.
 On arriving at the house. the first objects that attracted attention were the closed and craped windows, and the awful silence that seemed 10 " breathe and sadden all around" Our friend still refrained from speaking, but led on to the Chamber of Death Our worst apprehensons were realized. The fair young creature, who less than a year before had stood before us radiant with loveliness and hope, was now still, pale and cold, in the icy embrace of death. Her last agonics were dreadful, but the sweet, soft smile, that told of gentle heart, still fingered on her features. Her infant survived,-but the sud- den decease of that cherished one shed a gloom over that home and it's happy house. hold, which is not yet totally dispelled. The windows of the dwelling are still bowed, and the afflicted mother, although sincere Christian, and anxious to yield in Christian spirit to the decrees of Divine Providence. frequently finds herself melting in tears, and and her whole soul convulsed with grief at the memory of her dear Clara. And such are human hopes anderpectations