The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-04-08

look at the mos, loving and lovable of all
their acquaintance, and imagine her to be
my cousin Kate, as she appeared to me
some eight years ago, when we were all
assembled down at Uncle Ilarry's to wit
ness the performance of the ceremony
that binds two willing heats"
Some two weeks previous to the even
ing aforesaid, it had been duly announced
Uor our tale is CT New England by
notice posted upon the door of the church
duly signed by the town clerk, that
George Walter and my Cousin Kate, in
tended marriage, with circumstance had
afforded the good people of II. about the
sole topic for conversation and scandal
ever since.
She was universally beloved, and
George was general favori'e with the
good people Of the village, but he had
some lailings, no. the least of which was
an over-fondness for gay society, and a
strong prediction for the pleasures Of the
wine cup, which, upon one or two occa-
sions. he had been known to indulge in,
even to excess, and as there may be al
ways found, even in the smallest comnu-
mites, some uncommonly knowing ones,
they could not, of course, predict other
wise than that the ceremony, about TO be
performed, would prove anything but a
source Of happiness to the parties con-
Cerncd.
The wedding party was large and bril-
| liant, the cheer was excellent, the dance
went gaily on, the joyful laugh went
round, the congratulations of friends were
most ardent'y bestowed, and never to all
appearance had happier wedding party
been convened in that little village.
But, as in the sweetest cup of joys
dregs will sometimes be found, so, in the
happiest moments IF our lives, when. as
1t were, we seem to have glimpse of that
prospec, Of earthly bliss for which we
are all striving, cloud will obscure the
horizon Of our hopes, and shut the bright
vision from our eyes. And so did the
shadow Of that dark cloud rise before the
bright prospects of Kate, even upon tina,
very eve when, before God and the world
she gave TO him whom she ardently low
ed, hear, as pure as ever beat within a
human breast.
All her hopes and all her affections
were staked upon her lover. She had
dreamed nough, but Of happiness, and
thought not that he who loved so truly
could ever forget the bonds of temper
ance. No wonder, then, as she perceiv-
ed him give way to the solicitations of
friends to drink his health and that of his
young bride, until his fine face was flush
ed with an unnatural glow, no, wonder
that the rising sigh was, with difficulty
repressed, and that tear glistened, for a
moment, in her clear blue eye. Alas,
that for such trides so pure soul should
be thus rndely stricken! o that in the
heart of man dwet but tythe of tina,
spirit of devotion and sel,-sacrifce that
are the components Of love in woman;
then we should not have such scenes TO
record.
A tear, as we have said, glistened in her
eye, but all unnotced, abe dashed it a
way, and her beautiful face betrayed not
the painful emotions of the mind. She
was brave girl, my COUSIN Kate, and
was endowed by nature with strong good
sense Grieved she was, and shocked
truly, but she still strove to suppress her
feelings, and SO well succeeded that none
supposed she had marked the change in
her husbands manner.
Bitter were the thoughts of the young
| bride when the following day left her to
her own reflections. "lt might never a.
gain occur" thought she, 81 will not
blame, will not chide, but o, should it
ever again occur, should George become
-" she shuddered at the thought
'sshould he become drunkard-O, it
cannot be, will win him back. Happy
am l." thought she, shat his destiny is
mine, that shall have the blessed pre-
rogative of bearing with him the ills of
life, and soothing Its trials and sorrows."
Several months had passed away, and
the unpleasant part Of the occurrence of
the wedding eve had never been alluded
to by husband or wife, and happier cou-
pie could not well be found. But Georges
mind was one that was formed for novel;
ty; it had never been awakened to a
knowledge of that high and chivalrc
sense Of honor, which points US to fore
90 our own pleasures for those OF others,
and which finds its greatest happiness in
making others happy, in n word, he was
eminenlly selfish, and about this time it
was that he became less and less attell-
tive 10 the society, of his young wife. Not
that he was less kind than formerly, but
the craving for variety, the love of change,
and the batteries ola large circle of young
men among whom he passed as down
right clever fellow, would often tempt
him from his home, to which he returned
causing modification and sorrow unspeak-
able In vain did Kate implore and en-
treat him to desist from habits so perni-
cious, and practices so banelul to happi-
u