Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-04-03
THE BRIDAL EV Z.

the war, IN lao, during Nrnald corlmind
near Fort + Iward, o. the Hudson river.
Oir sumner night the blaze of many lights
streaming from the windows of an Old man
sion, prrciird wonder among the rocks and
woods. flashed f,r over the dark waters OF
Like Chlmpliin.
Inaaric, and comfortable chamber Of that
mansion, party Of Brll''h Off 'rrs sitting
around table spread with wines and vlanis,
discussing topic of some interest II 1t was
not the most important IN the world, Hhi'r
the tread of the dancers shook the floor OF the
adjoining room +
e Yes, while all was gaycty and dance ana
music in the largest hall 10 III" old mansion,
whose hunlrci lights glanced far over the
waters Of Chimpl,in--hcr in this quiet room
with the cool evening breeze blowing in their
faces through the opened windows, here this
party Of British oliircfS had assembled to dis
cuss their wines anl their tavnrilr topic.
That topic wls--thc comparative beauty
of the women Of tho world.
AS for me, sijl hnnlsome Young En-
siCn, Il will match the volup,ncnS forms and
d ,rk ewes Of italy against the be tutrs of all
the worlln
.Aad I,'s,il 4 bro1znl old veteran, who
h,l ri,en To the C,l)5olcy by his long ser
vice nnl bard i!htins 'an1 have pretty
lass of dlnrhjnr there in England, who's"
blnc eyes and nlx,n hair wonld shlmn your
tragic beauties Of ll,lv into very nglincss.'
Il have served in lnll, as You all must
know said the Major, who sat next to the
veteran, 'anl will confess, that never saw
printing or static, much less living women,
half so lovely rs some of those lIinlno maid
ems, bending down with water lilies in their
hands henlng down, by the light Of torch
cs, over the dark waves of the GInrps.'
And thus, one after another, Ensign, Col
oncl. and MAJOR, had given i,nir opinions.
until tina, young American Refugee yonder
n, the foot of the table, is left to decide the
argument. Tia, Am'rican-tor blush to
saw it-hanlsomr Young fellow as IL, is, with
face full Of manly beauty, deep blnc eyes,
rudy checks, and glossy brown hair, tina,
American is Refugee, and IA Captain in the
British Army. He wore the handsome scar
let coat, the gliuering epaulrlIc, lace ruillss
on his bosom. and aron ID his wrists.
Come, Captain, pass the wine this way!
shouted the Ensign; 'plsS the wine and de-
eide this great question w hich are the
most beautiful: the red cheeks of Merry Eng
land, the dark eyes of Italy, or the graceful
forms Of ilindosan"
The Captain hcsitated for a moment, and
then tossing of bumper Of old Madeira,
somewhat fl Ishcd as he was with wine, re-
piled
sMonlI Your three models Of beauty, your
English lass, Your Italian queen, your Hin
doc nvmph, into ono, and adj to their charms
thousand grlccS of color and form and ira-
lures, and wonlJ not compare this periec-
ton of l0veincss for a single moment. with
the wild artlass beauty of-an american
GIRL"
The laugh Of the three officers for mo-
ment drowned the echo Of the dance in tn
next room.
Compare his American milk maid viii
the women of Italy!
'Or the lass of Englan1T
.Or the graceful lIndoo girl =
This laughing scorn Of the British officers
stnng the handsome Refugee to the quick
.Hark ye!' he cried, h,lf rising from hi,
seat. with flushed brow, but deep ana
deliberate voice: 'To-morrow, marry n
wife; an american girl Tonight at mid
night too, that American girl will join the
dancers in the next room. Ion shall see he,
YOU shall Judge for yourselves! Wh"ihr
the American woman is no, the most bcaut
ful in the world y
There was something in the manner Of th
Young Refugee, more than in the nature o
his information, that arrested The attention Q
his brother officers. For a moment the,
were silent
I'VE have heard something of your mnr
A.. L. hat
did not hink /, world occur 50 suddenly :
Ony think of II tomorrow YOU will be eon
settled - verdict brough, IN - srnienc
passed married man. But tell NE! tlo'
will Your ladv.lovc be brought to this hous
tonight! | thought she resided within III
rebel line 2
She does reside there! But have ser
messcngcr-a friendly Indian chief, o
whom can place the uimoS, drpcnlrnce-
TO bring her from her present home, at dea
of niuht, ihro' the forest, 10 this mlnSinn.-
lie i, to return by twelve; it is now hali-pa
eleven!'
Friendly Indi,nn echoed the velcra
Colonel Rather an old gn1rliAn for
pretty woman g lite an original idea OF
Ducnna, WOW y
And von wIll match this lady against I
the world for beaniy 7! said the Major.
Yes, AMI If YOU d. not agree with m
this hundred gulneas which lay npol Il
table. shall serve 'orr mess for wines, for
month to come! But if yon d, agree wi
meas without doubt YOU will-then yr
are to replace this gold with hundred gnI
cas- of your own
agreed II is wager ! choruscd Il
Colonel and the two other officers.
And in that momcnt--whle the door-w
was throngcd by fair ladies and gay Off 'eI
attracted from the next room by the deba
AS that Young Refugee stood with one ha
resting upon the iiltc pile of gold, his rud
face grew suddenly as pale as a shrond,
blue eyes diltted until they were each enc
cled bv a line Of white enamel. he remain
standing there, as if frozen TO stone.
'Why Captain what is the matter 2 cr
the Colonel, starting MP in alarm, do you
ghost, that you stand gazing there, a,
blank wall
The other officers also started mp in ALA
and asked the cause of this singular drme
or. but still for the space ola minute or me
the Refugee Captain stood there, more
dead man, suddenly recalled to life, tia
living being.
That moment passed, he sat down wit