Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-03-24
THE BRIDAL EVE.

One summer night, the blaze Of many
lights, streaming from the windows Of al
old mansion, perched yonder among thu
rocks and woods flashed far over the DARK
waters of Lake Champaign.
In quiet ard comfortable chamber oi
that mansion. party of British officers
sitting around table spread with wines
and viands, discussed topic Of some in.
te rest if il was not The most inipottan; il
the world, while the tread of the dancers
was heard 10 the adjoining room.
AS for me- said handsome young
Ensign, Il will match the voluptuous forms
and dark eyes Of Italy against the beauties
Of all the world
'And l,'sald bronzed old veteran who
had risen 10 Colonelcy by his long ser.
vice and hard lighting; 'and have pref.
ty lass or daughter there in Engla d
whose blue eyes and faxen har would
shame your tragic beauties Of Italy into
very ugliness.'
4 have served in India, as you all must
know said the Major, who sal next to The
veteran, and Will confess that | never
saw painting or statue, much less living
woman, half so lovely as some Of those
Hindoo maidens, bending down with wa.
terlIlies in their hands. bending down by
The light of torches, over the dark waves
Of the Genges
And thus, one after another, Ensign,
Colonel, and Major, had gwen their opin.
ion until hat young American Refugee
yonder, at tie loot OF the table, is left to
al af.sd H., nh
for blush to say Handsome young iel
low rs he is, with face full of manly
beauty, ruddy cheeks, and glossy brown
hair, that American is a Refugee, and a
Captain ia the British Army. lie wore
The haBd GONE scarlet coat. the glit,erlng
e,,auetie. lace rufiles on his bosom, ana
around his waist
Come Captain, pass the wine this way!'
shouted the Ensign; pass the wine and de-
eide this great que ton w ich are m, 81
beautiful: The red cheeks of Merry Eng
land, the dark eyes Of Italy, or the grace
fol forms of liindooslan?
The Captain hesitated for moment, and
then tossing off bumper Of old Madeira.
somewhat flushed as he Yves with wine re-
piled:
''Alould your three models OF beauty,
your English lass, your Italian queen your
Hndoo nymph, into one, AID add 10 their
chains q thousand gracss color and
form and feature, and would nol compa e
this perfection of losliness for a single mo-
ment. with the wild artIess beauty or.-an
american girl"
The laugh Of the three officers for a
moment drowned the echo of the dance in
the next room
Compare an American maid with the
woman Of laIyn
'Or the loss OF England!'
OR the graceful Hind1o girlv
This laughing scorn Of the British off
Ger sung this handsome Refugee to the
quick.
'Hark ye! he cried, half rising from his
seat, with Il flushed brow but deep and
deliberate voice Tomorrow, | marry a
wife. an American g ri! Tonight. a, mid
night. 90, that American girl will join the
dancers in the next room. You shall see
her--you shall Judge for yourselves!-
whether the Amer can woman is not the
most beautiful in the world!'
I'VE have heard something of your mar
rage. Captain SAID the gay Ensign. blu,
we did not think il would occur so sudden
ly! Only think of il! Tomorrow YOU
W Il be -setled-verdct brought in
sentence passed--a married man! But
tell me, how will your lady love be brough,
TO this house tonight? Though, she resi-.
ded within the rebel lines"
Il l.. I
IA messenger: friendly Indian Chief. On
whom | can place the utmost dependence
20 bring her from her presen, home at dead
Of night. through the forest 10 this man.
sion. He is 10 return by twelve. 1t is
now half past eleven!
Friendly lndiaHr echoed the veteran
Colonel; rather an odd guardian Tor q
pretty woman! Quite an original idea of a
Daenna, VOW
And you will match this lady against
all the world for beauty" Said The Ms
lor.
Yes and If you do not agree with me.
this hundred guineas which lay upon the
table, shall serve our mess for wines for a
month 10 come! But if you do agree with
me. as without doubt YOU will, then you
are 10 replace tias gold with hundred gun
meas of your own.'
agreed! Ills a wager!r chorused tie
colonel and the other two officers.
And IN that moment, while the door was
ihronged with fair ladies', and gay officers.
attracted from the next room by the debate,
las that young Refugee stood with one
hand resting upon the litile pile Of gold, his
rudy face grew suddenly pale as sbroud
his blue eyes dila,ed until they were each
encircled by line of white enamel, he
remained standing there as if frozen 10
stone.
/ why. Captain, what is the maitert'-
cried The Colonel starting up in alarm, do
you see ghost tina, you stand lzing there
al the blank WALTZ
The other Off cers started up in alarm
also asked the cause of This Singular de
meanor, but still for the space OF minute
or more. the Refugee Captain stood there
more like dead msn. suddenly recalled lc
I life. than living be ng.
/ That momen' passed. he sat down with q
cold SILVER; made a strong effort as u i'
command his reason. and then gave u'er
anceie forced laugh
.Ha! ha. see how frightened your h
said: and then laughed that cold. unnatu
raj. hollow laugh again.
And yet half an hour from that time