The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-03-28

land lvanowa was to take place. The
bride was dressed in white, the veil
fastened in her hair with wreath of
snowy flowers and floating like cloud
over her delicate and graceful figure.
She leaned on the arm of Jaromir and
walked with her eyes fixed on the
ground; but the soft smile Of happiness
was nher face, and whenever she look
ed up to him who was to be her betreth-
ed, her blue eyes were full of love.
Two young girls at her side bore
| garlands Of flowers, and the widow
Maria followed, glancing proudly now
and then at the fair girl, and convers-
ing with the neighbors who walked by
her side. 3
Suddenly the shrill blast of a trumpet
was heard, and the bridal procession
stood still, as the tramp of several horses
sounding in the distance, came rapidly
nearer. Four or five horsemen rode
up in some confusion. They were
laughing and shouting, having out rode
their companions in pursuit of a falcon.
The wayward bird was in advance of
them; he wheeled rapidly round sever
al times, and just as the pursuers came
up, had alighted on the wrist of the
bride.
Ivanowa was frightened and strove
to shake off her new acquaintance; but
the bird returned after every repulse
and looked, with his clear, keen eyes
so earnestly into hers, that she almost
fancied they had human expression.
While her young companions gathered
around to admire the noble and fearless
creature, more horsemen joined the
group. Silence instantly prevailed, and
every head was uncovered at the ap-
proach Of one whom all recognized as
the sovereign.
"Ha!my truant Bird" cried the grand
Prince; and alighting, while his attend,
ants did the same, he held out his hand
that the falcon might perch upon his
wrist. But his eyes were fastened on
the young girl SO intently and with such
evident admiration, that her eyes drop
ped to the ground, blush overspread
her face, and at length, abashed be-
meath his prolonged gaze, she sank
slowly upon one knee, halfterrified lest
she might have unwittingly offended a
parsonage so exalted.
"Who is this young girl?" asked the
sovereign, turning from one of his at
tendants, to another, but none answer
ed till Jaromir spoke.
$50 please your hIghness--it is my
betrothed, lvanowa, the daughter of
Maria, the widow"
sit is well Jaro mir" said the grand
Prince. "Come with US, we would
question thee farther"
To dispute the will of the sovereign
would have been high treason. The
young huntsman was compelled to
leave his bride and depart with the roy
al party. The young men and maid
ems who had assembled to witness the
betrothal, returned slowly to their
homes, and lvanowa thre hersefinto
her mothers arms and wept bitterly,
with vague sense of the impending
calamity.
| Three days after, Ivanowa and her
mother were summoned to court by a
special order from the grand Prince
Jaromir had not returned. None, save
the secret agents of the sovereign,
knew that he languished in solitary i'm
prisonment, while his betrothed bride
was proclaimed throughout the city as
the chosen wife Of the grand Prince,
pointed out by the will of Heaven Itself;
indicated by the flight of the falcon, as
her who was to share the throne OF the
empire.
| Magnificent beyond description was
the next bridal pageant in which lvano-
wa moved as a principal parsonage,
while the proudest mobiles Of the land
gazed in admiration upon her unrivalled
and wondrous beauty. Gorgeous mu-
sic accompanied the procession; and
the shouts and huzzas of the people rent
the air on every side, mingled with the
peal Of trumpets, while banners waved
triumphantly, and flowers strewed the
way over which the royal bride was
to pass. But her face was pale as mar
bic, and the jewels that glittered on
her brow but mocked the sadness Of
Iher downcast eyes. Still she moved
on, the wonder Of all who saw her
the beloved of the monarch at her side,
the victim adorned for the sacrifice!
4 The ceremony was at an end; the
procession returned to the palace; and
|long and loud shouts Of "Long live the
Grand Prince! Long live the Princess!"
| were the signals Of unbridled ioy and