The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-11-27

] know thou art innocent
, Her mother and the sePSants were called
to her reliei, and with much difficulty re.
stored her 10 herself She lifted up hel
eyes, raised deep sigh. closed them
again. and said, "Unhuppy Berilla, thou
art now dishonored! Thou vert the com
tort of thy parents, who loved thee in their
hearts, and as the reward of their tender
ness. thou art become the cause OF their
disiress!" On uttering these words she
burst into tears Her father, oppressed
with sofrow, strove 10 calm her tortured
mind by every endearing expression, Civ
ing her repeated assurances that he was
convinced of her innocence.
10 my father, am still worthy OF thee?'
"That thou art so. thy sorrow indicates.
which at once is thy justification, and the
triumph of thy sensibiity! Compose thy
spirits | know thy innocence.
The brothers stood speechless at this
mourniui scene; they altern nately cast OIL
each other looks Of distrust, anger, and
compassion.
In the mean time the amiable lady COM
pletely revived, so far as to be able to an
swer some questions which were submitted
to her. She declared that the first by whom
she had been led to the altar was the
first who made an impression on her heart;
that presently after she accepted, she be-
lieved from him. the first token of his in
clination. and at length consented to be.
come his; that thereon she wore the full
blown flower, but she was totally ignorant
by which Of the two it had been given her.
She concluded with declaring that she was
ready to abide by the judgment of the el-
ders. and TO submit TO any punishment
which they should think fit to infict.
As the marriage engagement is among
the weightiest concerns Of the empire. and
as there was no law provided respecting
so peculiar case, it was left to the decis
ion OF the POPLAR, or prince. The case
was fairly stated in the presence OF HIN
and the elders; and the likeness of the
two brothers was in reality so great that
they were scarcely to be distinguished
asuuder. The prince asked which OF the
two it was that led her to the altar! The
eldest replied that it was he. Berilla con.
fessed tnat indeed he PLEASED her at first.
but the impression he made on her was
only slight. On this it was asked who
gave her the first flower, and it proved to
be the youngest. Berilla said she lost
that. but shortly after her lover returned it
to her; though at this moment he appeared
less amiable to her than before. Howev.
er. she had constantly thought it had been
the same.
The point that most perplexed the Judge
was. that the maiden had received the iull
blown rose from both the lovers. They
looked steadfastly on each other without
daring to utter a word. The poplar in.
terrogated the young lady whether at the
time she gave her consent she did not be-
lieve she was giving it to him Who had led
her to the altar! She affirmed that she
did, but likewise declared that her great
es. inclination had fallen on him from
whom she had received the first flower.
Both the brothers were now set before
her, and the question put to her which Of
the two she would choose, if the election |
were now freely left to herself! She
blushed. and after few moments replied,
1.-The youngest seems to have the greatest
inclination for mel" At the same time
darling him look which betrayed the Sc.
cret wishes of her soul.
All now waited with impatience for the |
decree of the prince. and eagerly strove to |
read in his eyes the judgmen, he was 60
ing to pronounce-but particularly the
two lovers who seemed to be expecting
the sentence OF life and death. At length
the prince addressed himself to Berilla,
with stern and gloomy countenance-l
"Fhy misfortune. or rather thy impru-
dence. prevents thee forever from possess.
ing either of the brothers Thou hast Civ
en- 10 each of them the right to thy person.
One hope alone remains for thee-and
that is. if one Of them will consent TO
forego his pretensions. Sand now, my
sons" continued he, "what have you to
say? Which Of you is disposed to sacri
fee his own satisfaction to the happiness
of bis brother!'' They both made an,
swer that they would sooner lose their
lives. The prince turned again TO the
,lanscl. who seemed on the point Of sink
ing TO the earth, and said-"Thy case
excites my compassion--but. as neither
Of the two will yield. am obliged to con-
denim thee to single state until one of thy |
lovers shall change his opinion or die"
The lot was cruel, Tor, in Mezzorian,
the state Of celibacy is heavy disgrace. /
The whole assembly were about to separ-
ate. when the younger brother threw him
self on his knees before the judge-"I i'm
plore your patience for moment" said
he, 81 will rather sacrifice my right than
see Berilla so severely doomed, Take
her. @ my brother, and may ye live long
and happily together! And thou, the de-
light Of my life, forgive the trouble my in
nocent love has occasioned thee. This
is the sole request ll,ave to make pfthee.