Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-12-28


that, while Ida was dropping a piece o
sugar into cup OF coffee, he. wedding
ring slipped from her taper finger into the
saucer.
Heaven preserve us-Heaven preserve
US !" calculated the aunt. ITS learfu
circumstance. Direiul-direfu!
What is the matieri' said Ida, spring
ing from her chair.
The ring. the ring murmured the
aunt, burying her face in her handker.
chief
Here il is replied her niece replacing
the magic hoop upon her finger
Child, child it's an awful sign =
'Of what, auntl'
Accident or misfortune Of some kind
for It's said--'Ere the sun be sci, sorrow
will rise, when from bride the ring doth
iail, replied the aunt, With a melancholy
anticipation ofevil.
\ merry laugh burst from lda's lips,
and she turned the object OF discussion de-
rlsively round upon the end Of her finger,
when her aunt's anger was somewhat az
cited at this express contempt for the pro-
phecy, and she sharply continued. You
may ridicule anything, child but recol-
lect many loud laughs have changed into
bitter tears
'Whv do you wish to frigh,en me ?
asked Ida, in lone of rcmonstrance.
I've no wish to alarm you; but much
disapprove of levity upon occasions requi-
ring seriousness replied the aunt.
Il cannot believe in such obsolete things
they are SO very silly, said Ida, with
an Unsurpassed smile.
so il appears. my dear; but do be.
lieve in them, added the aunt.
Then tell me the reason for so doing,
said her niece.
my reasons are countless. Circum.
stances admitting # no doubt have been
related TO me 5y dozens. rejoined the old
lady.
Not convinced that hearsay evidence
was to be deemed CONCLUSIVE, Ida inquired
if her aunt had ever witnessed an ilIustra-
ton of this to be dreaded fatality.
Bless me you talk like lawyer !
once heard ~ the ssszes. who would not
permit an honest man to say what he
heard 2
Indeedp exclaimed Ida, with pretend
ed gravity.
It's quite true, my love. The man
was about telling that neighbor had told
him Of something which had positively
been related to very particular acquain.
lance of his, when the Inconsistent lawyer
jumped up and said That's no evidence !;
tell US what you saw, sir, not what You
heard Goodness me as if one couldp I
be toll the truth, said the aunt quite in
digpant at the Renaissance.
We certainly should not give too much
credence to what we're told replied Ida |;
circumstances are so exaggerated, alter.
ed, aud purposely miscons,rued.'
yes, yes, that is perfectly true but
people nowadays disbelieve everything /;
it was not so when was a girl-warn.
ings, signs omens and dreams we're re.
garded with proper observance. Now
II is thought fashionable to laugh at them;
although, for my part, ] think persons
who laugh at superstition are as full Of it
as those who admit its influence
we ara oil, more or less, prone to be
superstitious, believe said Ida. But
tell me about the ring. wish to hear Of
some mistap following the luckless fall
from the weaIer Of this public sign Of
matrimony.
'iisten, child, and I'll naTate to you
one WHICH know 10 be true, although |
did not see the occurrence reioined the
aunt, with another shake o. the wig.
ut was rough day in March, and two
years after the union ola very dear friend
OF mine, that her husband was dressed for
hunting. Oh that dangerous, reckless,
amuse,nentt Beng late, he was hasten.
ing to depart, and. in his hurry 10 bid her
adieu, he snatched her hand quickly, and
drew Other wedding ring, which rolled
upon the floor. This ciscYmstance was
unnoticed at the time, and he proceeded
to the door, where his patient horse stood
paving the ground, held by groom. -
Just as he was going to mount, the cries
OF the hounds in full chase were heard
No sooner were the well-known sound:
caught BY the high spirited animal, than
he reared upon his launches straight in
the air, bounded from one side of the road
to the other, and become completely un.
governable from excitement and eager.
ness to jap the sport. After macy use
less attempts TO gain the saddle, has mas.
ter, angry at not being able TO start
threw himself passionaiely across The
horse, aud g,ined one foot in stlrrup
when accidentally spur struck dep in
the side oVthe restless animal. Furious
vah pain he Snapped his bride, jumped
from the earth with a sudden bound, and
hurled the groom far from him. Away
he rushed down the avenue with his rider
half on, clinging to his name. A high
gate was closed at the end Of the avenue,
towards which tl,e horse galloped with
fearful speed. The creature neared the
barrier, aud leaped at il without heSita.
tion, but dashing against the top rail, he
fell with desperate forcR, carrying his i'll
lated master with him
my poor friend saw the accident with
feelings that xaay be conceived, hat not
described For many hours she was un-
conscious Of the extent Of her laRnenta bic
misfortAae. Upon recovering, from her
swoon, she found her husband stretched
upon bed a ghastly figure. A surgeon
was watching haEn with fingers pressed
upon ahe Autteriug pGIse bsndages STAN