Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-04-28
THE MINERS BRIDE.

posed entirely ofminers, lived Peter and
Margaret.
Peter was son Of an overseer of the
mines. AS soon as he could walk, he ran
TO the mines-he descended in;othem-a and
by his cheerlulness and play, solaced the
cares of his father. Afterwards when his
good childish qualities gave place to youth
Peter became workman-and. after his
father, he was the most capable Of direct.
ing the work. (
He knew how TO select the place where
the miner could strike with the best assu-
rance Of success, he used TO pass through
the long subterranean galleries, without
wandering from his course; and, incapable
Of fearing The darkness, he payfully, and
yet by reasons entirely natural, explained
the mysteries which were the cause Of SO
much.terror to his companions.
He was, perhaps, The only man who die
not tremb'e when the fire damp, that pes
10 the miners, was mentioned.
One evening, as Peters father was re-
turning from q naighboring village, he
heard grooming. He stopped, searched
in the underwood, which bordered both
sides of the road which he was travelling
and what was his establishment TO find there
a child, covered with rags, who was strug
Cling in the grass, and who lifted its hand:
as if 10 implore aid. Its little cheeks were
wet with tears-and the hoarsness of its
voice indicated that for no short time it hac
been left, either through accident or malice
IN the nitv of the paSSershv
I he old miner, at this unexpected sigh
felt his heart moved. He thought of hi,
own son, and hen stopped down by the side
of the poor child, and poke 10 it, as if hi
words could afford consolation. He prom
ised il his aid-folded its tattered rags ar
ound it, to shield it from the chillness o.
the air-wraaped it in his leather apron
and carried il home with him-ever ant
anon kissing i; on the way, and striving to
appease its grevious complaints.
"Wile,'' said he, opening the door of hi
cabin, ''guess what present | bring your
Providence has chosen us,of all the inhab
tants OF this village, 10 afford aid to an un
fortunate child. | am certain of it, for
know your heart"
Peters mother stretched out her hand:
to her husband in reply. Considering BY
what chance the Little girl came TO them
she looked upon her as her own child. |
was in this manner that Margaret's liz
was saved, and she found family, alte
having been abandoned, and lefta prey Il
the carniverous an mails which often PROV
through the woods and glades.
These two children grew up, and a
they were always together, as their only
desire was 10 please each other, they soor
loved each other ienderly. To the titles
of brother and sister, sweeter ones soor
succeeded. Their hearts understood eacl
oiher-they thought of future, happi
ness which they has not experienced, ane
Peter asked his father to give him Mar
garet for a companion.
1t was the wish of the good parents--
How the hearts Of the young people bea
when Peters father said to them-"Fi,
for yourselves the day of your happiness.
They soon arrived, and they were Sc
much loved, and SO well deserves TO BIZ
loved, that the day of their marriage wa:
general holiday. All left their labor, the
mines were deserted, the tables were loaded
The young girls pu, boquets in tteir Dos
oms, and The boys stuck hem in their bu:
ton-holes. Every where shouts Of Joy
were 10 be heard, and the sound Of insiru
ments of music 10 which the rustics danced
on the grass.
But in the midst Of the rejoicing Peter
went 10 his lovely bride and embraced her
Alter that he said mysteriously 10 hi:
young companions, Don't let her come
This is the moment to surprise
her. Now is the time 10 give her my
presents" @
So saying, he left them smiling, placing
his finger on his mouth, as ifto enjoin, 81
ience. He walked slowly round the house
appeared to take by-road that led to the
ancient mines, and then he was lost sigh
Of.
He did not return that evening nor die
he come back the next day. They search
ed for him. Three days, four days, eigh
DAYS, month, year, rolled away, ant
Peter did not return.
On tie day OF the marriage, as soon a:
his long absence was known, all merri
ment was suspended The bride wept anc
tore her hair. The miners, led by Peters
father, wen, through all the passages o
the mines, left no spot unexamined. bu
nothing appeared TO afford them any hope
of finding their companion, ,hei, friend.
Margaret all but died. She returned &c
life but consecrated her days TO the father
and mother OF Peter. They SO much de
served pits And so did she, but gratitude
inspired her with Supernatural courage
She took off her bouquet and her marriage
garland, and laying them away with care
said, Il W Ii wait for his return"
Sixty years after this adventure, so Ter
ribie, and at The same time so singular,
many things had passed in The village -
Margaret had closed the eyes OF her benz.
factors. Almost all who were at her in.
tended marriage, had gone TO their las
rest. A new generation had sprung up
and the remembrance of Peters adventure
OF his sudden disappearance. no longer
existed, except as those traditions. which
passing from age to age, are increased
by the reflection, the thoughifullness will
which superstition. is capable of inspiring
persons of little education. ~
They spoke OF Peter in his country as {
supernatural being They accused him,
at all events, of having a league with evil
splits. la the cold season. when the
wind drove the hoar-frosi over the earth,