Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-06-09
THE MYSTERIOUS WEDDING.
By Z. BULwER LITToN

By BCLWEh LifION.
The Island of Zealand is united on the north
west BY narrow, desolate, sandy neck of land
to peninsula, which is beautiful, fertile, and
and covered with villages forming within them
selves one parish. Beyond the only little city
of the peninsula, however, the country extends
70 the stormy Categat. 1t is region of fear
fully desolate and wild character. Quicksands
have prevented every trace of vegetation, and
moving sand heaps, the sport Of storms which
unrestrainedly blow over the land from the rude
sea, perpetully change their position, are heap
ed up, blown away, and then again collected in
another place. | spent an hour, not without
danger, in travelling through this region.which
left behind in my mind an image of the widest
desolation. Whilst was riding solidarity thro
this dreary, sandy district, there arose from the
sea, northward, tempest with lightning. The
waves heaved themselves with troubled mot on
the wild stormy clouds careeered along the
sky;-the heavens became darker and more
threatening every moment: the sand began to
move in vastcr masses under the feet of my
horse, and at length even whirled into the air.
1t was impossible to discover the path; the
horse sank deeper and deeper into the loose sand
heaven, earth, and sea were all intermingled,
every object was concealed in cloud of dust
and sand. There was not trace of life or We
getaton; the storm whstled through the air;
the raging pillows lashed the shore; the thun-
der rolled in the distance: and, scarcely able to
penetrate the cloud of dust, flashed the troubled,
dark red lightning. The danger was instanta-
neous, when all at once, sudden, violent fall
of rain brought the whirIing sand into state Of
repose, and allowed me, entirely wet through,
to find my xay to the little town.
1t had been fearful commingling of the ell
sments. AS the earthquake is deep groan
from the deep bosom of nature,so did this chaos
present an image of wildly tempested character:
all hope destroyed; every JOY shattered the ru-
ms of the past concealing cruel rage and sor-
rev; restless passions hidden beneath desola-
ton: the voice Of concience threatning thun-
Ger-like in the distance and consuming fire fash
ing darky through the troubled soul, until the
90 long scaled up fountain of tears vehemently
burst forth, and the melancholy of the lacerated
soul is buried in their waters.
In this desolate region there stood in former
time, village, called Rorwig, at about the dis
lance of mile from the sea. The qncksands,
however, undermined the village, and the in
habItants, mostly fisherman, have now settled
themselves farther from the shore. The church
alone remains upon firm ground, having been
built upon a re cky height, and new stands SOL
tary, surrounded by the mournful, moveable des-
ert. This church is the scene of the following
mysterious relation.
During the first half of the last century there
sat one night in this solitary chamber the vene-
rable old preacher of the place, sunk in deep
meditation. The hour approached midnight
The house inhabited by this good man lay at
the end Of the village, and such were the sim
pie manners of the inhabitants, and SO little
were they troubled by mutual suspicion, that
bolts and bars were unknown to them, and ev-
cry door was unsecured, excepting BY the sim
pie fastening of a latch. The night-lamp bur-
ned dmly; the solemn silence was only broken
BY the rushing of the sea, and the pale moon
miriored itself in the waves. At that moment
the door was heard to open; the old pastor
heard the sound of human footsteps upon the
stairs, and instantly imagined it to be sum-
mons for him to the death-bed of some peasant
neighbor who needed ghostly consolation at his
hands.
As he was thus thinking, two strangers enter
ed the room wrapped in light-colored cloaks;-
one of them advanced politely towards him.
"Sir," said he, "you must Immediately accom-
pany US. You must celebrate marriage; the
bridal pair are already waiting for you in the
distant church. This sum of money!" said he,
showing TO the old man purse full of gold,-
alphabetically reeompense you for your trouble
and from the terror of SO unexpected sum-
mons.'
The old man stared silently and Mortified at
the strange figures which seemed to him to
have something fearful nay, spectre-like in
their appearance. The stranger repeated his
GRAND pressingly and beseechngly.
When the old man had somewhat collected
himself, he>began mildly to demonstrate and to
represent to the stranger that his Office did not
permit him to perform such solemn rites with
out knowledge OF the parties or without those
preparatory formalities which the law required
With that the other stranger stepped forward,
"Sir," said he, in an imperative Tone .you
have your choice; follow US and receive the Of
fered reward, or remain here-but in that case
bullet will pass through your head;' and with
these words he drew forth his pistol which he
held to his forehead, and thus waited for his an
swer.
The old preacher turned pale; and without
saying word, rose up in terror, dressed him
self quietly, and then said, 81 am ready"
The two strangers had spoken in the Danish