The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-05-02
Il Fl E N E w E Il A .
THE BRIDAL EVE.


ed far over the dark waters Of lake Champain
In quiet and comfortable chamber of that
mansion. party of British officers. sitting around
table spread with wines and viands, discussed
topic OF some interest if ii was not the most i'm
Porlant in the world while the ireac. of the dan
GERS shook the floor of the adjoining room.
Yes, while all was gayety and dance and music
in the largest hall of the old mansion whose hun
dred lights glanced far over the waters of Cham
plaln-here In this quiet room, with the cou
evening breeze blowing in their faces thru the
opened windows, here this party of British officers
had assembled To discuss their wines and their
favorite topic
That topic was-the comparative beauty of the
women of the world.
AS Tor me- said handsome young Ensign.
Il will match the voluptuous forms and dark
eyes of Italy against the beauties of the world
And l.. said bronzed old veteran, who had
risen TO the Colunelcy by his lung service and
hard fighting, and | have a pretty lass of
daughter there in England, whose blue ewes and
faxen hair would shame your tragic beauties of
Italy into very ugliness.'
have served in India, as you all must know.
said The Major, who sal next 10 the veteran, and
will confess. that | never saw painting ar
statue, much less living woman, half su lovely as
sotne OF those HndoU maidens, bending down
with water lilies in their hands bending down.
by the light of torches, over the dark waves of
the Ganges'
And thus one after another, Ensign, Culonel.
ana MAJOR, had given their opinion, until that
young American Refugee yOnder at the foot of
the table is left 10 decide the argument. That
American-lor blush To say il-handsome younu
fellow as he is, with face full of manly beauty,
deep blue eyes, ruddy cheeks, and glossy brown
hair, that American is Refugee, and CANAAN
In the British Army. He wore the handsome
scarlet coat, the glilering epaulelie, lace rufes
on his bosom. and around his wrists
Come. Captain, pass the wine this wayI'
shouted the Ensign. pass The wine and decide
this great question: Which are The most beauli-
iul the red cheeks of merry England, the dark
eyes ot Italy, ar the graceful forms of Hindoo-
stang
The Captain hestated for momen, and then
tossing off bumper of old MADEIRA. somewha,
flushed as he was with wine replied =
'Monld your three models of beauty. your
English lass, your Italian queen. your Hindoo
"ymph. into one, and add 10 their charms a thou
sand graces of color and form and feature, and
would not compare this perfection of lovelines
fur single moment. with the wild arless beauty
of-Gn Amer lean girl!
The laugh of the three officers for moment
drowned The echo of the dance in the next room.
Compare his American milk-nad with the
woman of Iayl'
Or the lass of Englandp
Or the graceful Hndoo girll'
This laughing scorn of the British officers
siung the handsome Refugee 10 The quich
f1ark ye' he cried, half rising from his seat,
with a flushed brow, but deep and deliberate
voice 10 morrow, marry wife; an .ameri-
can girl 10 night at midnight too, that Aneri-
can girl will join the dancers in the next room.-
You shall see her-yon shall Judge for your
selves! Whether the American woman is not
the most beautiful in the world =
There was something in the manner of the
young Refugee, more than in the nature of his
Information, that arrested the attention of his
brother officers. For moment they were silent.
We have heard something of your MARRIAGE
Captain said The gay Ensign. but we did not
think il would occur so SUDDENLY Only think
ot 1t! To morrow you will be gone-settled-
verdict bruugb ln--sentence passed--a married
man But tell me? How will ynur lady love
be brought To this house ro.night7 thought she
resided within the rebel lines?'
She dues reside there! Bot have sent a
messenger-a friendly Indian chief, Cd whom
can place the utmost dependence-io bring her
from her present home. at dead of night tho the
forest, to this mansion. He is To return bv
twelve {; i, is now half past eeyen!
Friendly Indlanl' echoed the veteran Colo
mel; Rather an odd guardian for pretty wu-
man! Quite an original idea of Dueuna, |
vowp
And yon will match this lady against all the
world for beauty (? said the Major
Yes, and it you do not agree with me this
hundred goiDeas which lay upon the table shall
serve our mess for wines Tor month To come
But If you do agree with meas without a doubt
you will-then you are 10 replace the gold with
a hundred gnness of your own
Agreed 1t is a wager = cborussed the Col
ODel and the other two officers.
And in that momsnt--whlIe the door way was
ihrOnged by fair ladies' and gay officers attracted
from ibe next room by the debate---as the Refn-
gee stood with one hand resting upon the little
pile Of gold, his rnddy face grew suddenly pale
as a shroud. his blue eyes diluted until they
were enciJcled by a line Of white enamel, he
remained standing there, as if frozen TO stone
Why. captain, what is the matter q cried
the Colonel. starting up IN alarm, { DO you see
ghost that you stand gaming there, at the blank
wall r
The other officers also started up in alarm
also asked the cause Of this singular demeanor
bot sill for the space Of a minute or more, the
RefUgee Captain stood there, more like dead
mar. suddenly recalled 20 life, than living be
ing.
That moment passed, he sat down with a eold
shiysr; made strong effort az il to command his
Epssl,O and then gave utferanee IN C,,eoI