The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-07-04
Miscellaneous.
THE TRIALS OF CHAR
LOTTE AUSTIN.
The Wedding,
THE FIFTY DOLLAR PRIZE TALE.
BY MRS. MARY A. LIvERMoRE.
. aI ., CHAPTER ]. .l.....

AS Wv C0NAASoS
Some halfcentury ago, ere the buildings G.
rected in the olden time were all displaced by
more modern and sumptuOus edfices ofbrick
and stone, there might have been seen ut the
north part of the city of Boston, about mid
way, IN Hanover street. dwelling house of
somewhat small dimensions and of an anti
quated style of architecture. The outside
was plastered, or as it is termed was "rough
cast,"-a small wooden porch was raised on
two broad, low stone steps, so that it project
ed considerably over the door from which
swung n ponderous iron knocker and sur
rounding the house, enclosing within it
grass plot of tiny dimension in front, was a
wooden paling, newly whitewashed every
spring. ....
Here, some thirty or forty years ago, on
the eve otthe annual Thanksgiving, was as
Sembled glade and goodly company. The
maple and oak logs burned fiercely in the
ample chimney of the old fashioned parlor,
the FURNISHED andirons of massive brass
glowed in the cheerful light, and the counte-
nances ofthe prim and stately portraits that
hung against the walls, soitened by the mel
low radiance, seemed to smile down benig-
nantly upon the happy, group. A rag carpet
covered the floor and here and there upon it,
lay mats, braided and sewed by industrious
fingers, to hide the repairs that had been
essary. A looking glass in n somewhat tar
nished gilt frame, was suspended from the
wall at a slight angle dark mahogany table
stood beneath, graced with snowy cloth, and
alone upon it, reverently lay the large family
Bible, worn and soiled by long and frequent
use. On the opposite side Of the room was
stationed an ancient writing cabinet, or kind
of secretary, of highly polished wood, gay
with its heavy and glittering decorations of
brass, and in the corner stood the tall old clock
whose unwearied tick had echoed through
the apartment for more than half a century,
and which, because of its having descended
from generation to generation through long
line of nearly forgotten ancestors, was al
most regarded as the family heir loom.
1t was in this spacious apartment, which
though homely in its style and furnishing, was
yet rendered beautiful, by the cheerful neat
ness which characterized its every arrange
ment, that large party of relations was con-
vened, to do honor to the bridal ofthe young
est and only unmarried member of large
family. Seated in their well stuffed, chintZ
covered arm chairs, sat the silver haired pa
rents, and around them were gathered their
children, and their chldren's children, with
other members of The dispersed family. The
man ofGod too, was amongst them, with his
benevolent smile, his winning words of kind
ness, and his own flowing heart oflove, en-
livenng the seriousness ofthe old, and chas-
tening the gaiety of the young. Pleasantly
were mingled together the sound of kindly
greetings, the low hum of whispering voices,
the half suppressed gush of mirth, and the
murmur of more staid and dgnified converse;
Il fountain ofioy was swellingup in all hearts;
the Young were happy in enjoyment cfthe
present, the aged in blissfu memories oftheir
own early days.
The clock struck the hour of the wedding,
the door opened, the cheerful hum died away
IL, ~ 81
and stool before the holy man, who rose to
receive them. The aged parents gaZed with
fearful tenderness on their youngest and fair
est daughter as she stood beside the one to
whose care and affection they were now to
give her. A faint smile trembled over their
features, her fingers chung slightly and ner-
vously to the arm on which they rested, and
a sicky shade ofpaleness overcast her cheek
and brow; but as the ceremony proceeded,
and as she repeated the words of that vow
which death alone can dsannul she became
more and more tranquil; and when all was O.
yer, and she was pronounced a welded wife,
her face kindled with the glow of affection
and confidence, as ifa burst of sunshine had
fallen upon it.
Slowly and reverently the white haired sire
arose and spoke his benediction upon the
Young couple, and then taking the hand of
the bridegroom in his own, he said with
choked and tremulous voice, "Charles Austin,
we have given up to you, that which is as dear
to us as our own lives. We have given you
our youngest daughter, she who from the hrst
moments other existence, has nestled in the
bosom of her parents, even as young bird
ling nestleth underneath its mothers wing.
We charge you, deal tenderly, truthfully and
faithfully with her,-cherish her as would her
parents, and whatever temptations may cross
your path, let them not swerve you from your
duty to her, but avoid them as you would the
very gates ofdeath."
aOh, Charles" said the weeping mother,
unable longer to repress her feelings, off you
wish our dear Charlotte to make you happy
as she has made us, then be faithful and true
to her. We shall soon lie down in the grave,
but we shall die in peace, for we leave the
child of our old age, with one who will be to
her more than father or mother"
Charles Austin did not speak, for he could
not,-but as he hastily brushed the tears from
his cheek, and gazed on the beaming face OF
his young wife, he promised in his Utmost
soul, that she should never lack the klndest
and tenderest cherishing, the warm q watch
full affection of a husbands heart. Orr arb
MerriIypassed away the nuptial occasion,
fiuitsjellies cistards, cake, and all the dehca-
cies that crown the festive board on Thanks
giving day; were served in the most lavish
profi1sion, but the well filled decanters which
seldom failed to grace the weddings of those
days, were wanting, and there were buoyan-
cy ofspirit, happiness ofheart, wit and mirth,
without the inspiration which they wore suf-
fered to irnpart Not word was said con-
corning this singular omission, for all knew
she parents ofthe bride, that they were firm in