Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-12-01

JIM VS. sHNte SNss "S'c ~I
er observance. Now it is thought fashiona-
BILE to laugh at them; although, for my part,
{ think persons who laugh at superstition are
as full of il as those who admit its influence
I'VE are all, more or less, prone to be sill
pers,itious, | b~clicvc,' said Ida. But tell
me about the ring. | wish 10 hear of some
misIap following the lucklcss fall from the
wcarcr of this public sign of matrimony.'
Listen, child, and III narrate to you one
which | know To be true, although | did moi
see the occurrence rcjoined the aunt, with
another shake of the wig.
1T was "A rough day in March. and two
years after the UNION of a vcty dear friend OF
mine, that her husband was dressed for hunt
ing. Oh! that dangerous, reckless amuse-
ment! Being late, he was Fastening to de-
part, and, in his hurry to bid adieu, he snatch
ed her hand quickly, and drew of her we'd
ding ring, which rolled upon the floor. This
circumstance was unnoiiced II, the time, and
he proceeded to the door, where his patient
horse stood paving the ground, held by a
groom. Just as he was going to mount, the
cries of the hounds in ful! chase were heard.
No soon were the well known sounds caught
by the high spirited animal. than he reared
upon his launches straight in The air, bound
ed from one side of the road to the other,
and became completely ungovernable from
excitement and cagerness to join in the sport.
After many useless attempts TO gain the sad
die, his master angry at not being able to
start, threw himself passionately across the
horse, and gained one foot in a s,irrup, when
accidentally spur struck deep in the side Of
the restless animal. Furious with 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, c%linging to his
name. A high gate was closed at the end of
the avenue, towards which the horse gallo
ped with fearful speed. The creature near
ed the barrier, and leaped at it without hest
t%ation, but dashing against the top rail, he fell
with desperate force, carrying his Inflated
master with him. r.s.I} :eut
My poor friend saw the accident with
feelings that may be conceived, but not de-
scribed. For many hours she was uncon-
scious of the exten, of her lamcntablc mis-
fortune. Upon recovering from her swoon,
she found her husband stretched upon a bed
a eI,as,lv figure. A SURGEON was watching
him viii, fingers pressed upon Inc h",,ering
pulse; bandagcs stained with blood were
wrapped round his head his checks we're
ashy pale; his lips livid and clenclied togcth-
err. A slight moan escaped them OCCASION
ally, which were the only remaining signs OF
life. In one short hour more, from being as
happy a wife as ever the sun sllone upon, my
poor friend was "A heart broken vidow.'
Tears rolled from the old lady's eyes as
she concluded her brief, but melancholy mar
%rative.
No wonder that you believe in the omen
of the ring sobbcd Ida. My poor, dear
Harry-oh, what will happen to himr
Nothing hope and pray, my love-
Do not weep entreated her aunt. 'lt was
very foolish of me TO tell you this story-ve.
ry wrong, indeed, bnt twas want of rchec-
ton f; I'm "A silly old woman. There, there,
don't cry, child ...sa II
A loud crash of thunder at this moment
occasioned both to start. Flash after. 1asl
of lightning sccccedcd, and a few large drops
of rain splasI,ed at intervals against the win
dows. Suddenly, one deafning roar pealed
over head, reverhcraimg over the hills mile.
distant, and a dcIugc of water fell, making
the earth appear involved in smoke. Rol
after roll of the warning elements followed
and the heavy clouds noated slowly on, spout,
ing forth their o~'ercharged contents. The
heavens grew momeniarily HACKER, and tho
storm increased in IT'S violence. ,
Pecring through the wet sireaked panes
Ida watched, with fear depicted in her trem,
bling limbs, the raging storm. General,
without the common nervousness of her SEX,
Ida now paced the room with hurried step
rlasping her hands and lost to all control o
feeling. Her aunt cndeavorrd to calm he
excitement, but without success. The mar
ration of the event of the ring, and the vic
l"nce of the storm, had produced an efec
no, easily erased.
AS she was walking will, haste M an,
down the apartment, anticipating evil of ev
cry Kind that the heated imagination coul
firm, she stood before the window speeches
with emotion, at seeing ,l,e eamekeeper run
ming towards the house. On he came, br
his master neither preceded nor followc
him. Ida bechoned to her aunt, and point
ing TO HE l~nrrying man, rushed ont of til
honse 10 meet him, regardless Of the pourin
t%orrcnts.
Tell me- she gaspcd, clu,ching John b
the arm, and stopping him in his course.
My lady, my master is'-John coul
say no more.
Quick, quick she rejoined with a voic
hollow with dread.
My master is in he'd quite again John
breath was quite expended.
Looking as one about to hear the jude
ment of death, Ida murmured : what2'
Wet through" replied the gamekeept
in amazement at the expressed agony of h
mistress and her extraordinary delermin;
!, ton to become, in a like situation. He
in bed, wet through continued John, {
my cottage, and he wants achange of clo,he.
Years have swept away since Ida's wet
ding ring fell. Sorrow has not traced a si
gle iurrow upon her brow, iftimc has left Il
d print of days gone by upon il. May my ia
;, readers be a similar destiny-a happy al
i contented wife. IT.
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