The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-07-17
Vol. Nv.

cords for home characterized by ftfu
gaity, or dreary sadness; indefinable
hopes and fears seemed striving for su
premacy in the writer's troubled little
heart. Lucy lored; but scarcely &c,
knowledged it to herself, while she
knew not that she was loved; so, for a
time, that beautiful second-birth of wo.
mans nature was like a warm sunrise
struggling with the cold morning mists.
But one day brought a letter which
could not soon be forgotten in the home
Of the absent one--a letter traced by a
hand that trembIed in sympathy with a
heart tumultuous with happiness. Lu
cy had been wooed and won, and she
but awaited her parents approval other
choice, TO become the betrothed OF
young Edwin Wa man Of excel
lent family and standing in the town
where she had been teaching. The
father and mother accorded their sane.
ton with many blessings, and Lucy's
next letter promised a speedy visit
from the lovers.
To such a nature as Lucy's what an
absorbing, and yet what a revealing Of
self is a first passion-what a prodigali-
ty ofgiving, what an incalculabIe wealth
of receiving--what a breaking up is
there of the deep waters OIL the soul,
and how heaven descends in a sudden
star-showsr upon life! If there is a
season when an angel may look with
intense and fearful interest upon her
mortal sister, It's when she beholds her
heart pass from the bud-liks innocence
and freshness Of girlho cd, and taking to
its very core the fervid light Of love,
glow and crimson into perfect woman
hood!
At last the plighted lovers came, and
welcomes and festivities awaited them.
Mr.. W gave entire satisfaction to
father, mother, and even 10 the exact
ing ~"beauty." He was a handsome
man, with some %pretensions to fashion;
but in manner, and apparently in char
acter, the opposite of his betrothed.
1t was decided that Lucy should not
again leave home till after her marriage,
which, at the request of the ardent low
or, was to be celebrated within two
months, and on the coming birthday Of
the bride. 1t was therefore arranged
that Ellen should return with Mr.. W.,
to $500, to take charge Of her sisters
schoal for the remainder Of the term.
The bridal birthday had come. 1t
had been ushered in by a May-morning
fsurpassingloveliness-the busy hours
had worn away, and now it was near
sunset, and neither the bridegroom nor
Ellen, the first BRIDES maid, had ap-
peared. Yet, in her neat chamber sat
Lucy, nothing doubling, nothing fear
ing. She was already clad in a simple
white muslin, and her few bridal adorn-
|
ments lay on the table beside her,
Maria Allen, her second BRIDES maid,
a bright-eyed, affectionate hearted girl,
her chosen friend from childhood, was
arranging to a more graceful fall, the
wreath Of light ringlsts which swept
her snowy neck. To tho anxious en-
Of her companion, respecting
the absent ones, Lucy ever smiled
and replied l .a
sob, something has happened to de-
tain them awhils--we heard from them
other day, and all was well. They
will be here by-and-by, never fear"
Evening came, the guests were all
and yet the "b~ridsgroom tar
There were whisperings, sur
misses, and wondsrings, and a shadow
Of anxiety occasionally passed over the
fair face Of Tho bride elect. At last a
carriage drove rather slowly to the
door. "They are come!" cried many
voices, and the next moment the bslat-
ed bridegroom and Ellen entered. In
reply TO the hurried and confused enqui-
ries Of all around him, Mr.. W.,
muttsrsd somsthing about aunavoidabls
delay" and stepping 10 the sideboard,
off a glass Of wine, another, and
II mi 4