Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-11-08


entrance, 10 hear the first boding stroke OF
the bell, or ut least to reflect on the singular
ity OF such welcome to the altar. They
therefore continued to udynnce with uudi-
mimishcd gayeiy. The gorgeous dresses of
time, the crimson velvet coats, the gold-laced
hats, the hoop-peitcoats the silk satin, bro
cade, aud embroidery, the buckles, canes,
aud swords, all displayed to the best nd'ant-
age on persons suited TO such fnery, made
The group appear more like bright colorcd
picture than anything real But by what
pcryersiiy of taste lad the artist represented
his principal figure us so wriukled and de-
cayed, while Yet lie had decked her out in
the brightest splendor of attire, ns it the love-
licsi maiden had suddenly withcred into age,
aud becunc n moral to the beautiful around
her. On they went, however, and had gilt
tered uloug about Third of the aisle, when
another stroke OF the bell seemed to fiji the
church with visible gloom, dimming aud
ohscuring the bright pageant, I'LL it shonc
forth again ms from mist.
This tine the piriy wayered, stopped aud
huddled closer together, while slight scream
was heard from some of the ladies, aud a
confused whispering among the gcntlcmen.
Thus tossing 10 aud fro, they might have been
iancilully compared 10 splendid bunch oi
flowers suddenly shaken by puff ot wind,
which threatened To scatter the leaves OF an
old, brown, withcrcd rose, on the same stalk
with two dewy buds such being the oin-
bem of the widow between her fair young
brideunds. But her hcroism was adHira-
bic. She had started with an irreprossible
sliuddrr, as if the stroke of the bell bad fall
en- directly on her heart; then, recovering
herself, Willie her attendants were yet in dis
may, she took the lead, and paced calmly mp
the aisle. The bell continued to swing,
strike, aud vibratr, with the same dulelul re-
gularity, us when n corpse is on its way 10
tho tomb.
"My young friends here have their nerves
a little shaken" said the widow with smile
10 the clergyman at the altar. "But so many
weddings have been ushered in with the
mcrriest peal of the bells, aud yet turned out
unhnppily, that shall hope for better fortune
under such different auspices"
/" Madam" answered the rector, in great
pcrpleXty, "jhis strange occurrence brings
tO my mind a marriage sermon o! the famous
bishop Taylor, wherein he mingles so many
thoughts OF mortality aud future woe, that, to
speak somewhat after his own rich style, he
seems to hang the bridal chamber in black,
and cut the wedding garment ont of coffin
phil. Aud it has been the custom of divers
natiOns TO iuiiisc something of sadness into
their marriage ceremonies; so 10 keen death
IN mind, while contracting that engagement
which is liic's cliirirst business Thus we
may draw a sad but profitable moral from
this funeral knell."
But, though the clergyman might have
given his moral even kecuer point, he did
not fail TO despatch an attendant to inquire
into the mystery, and stop those sounds, so
Illsnally appropriate 10 such marriage. A
brief space elapsed, during which the silence
was broken only 10y whispers, aud few sup
pressed tltterlngs, among the wedding party
aud the spectators, who, after the first shock,
we're disposed To draw nm ill-natured merri-
ncut from the affair. The young have less
charity for aged iollics, than the old for those
'i youth. The widows glance was ohscr
'ed TO wander, for an instant, towards win
low of the church, as If searching for the
ime-worn marble that size lad dedicated to
her first hushund; then her eyelids dropped
over their faded orbs, aud her thoughts were
drawn iFresislihly to another grave. Two
buried men, with voice at her ear and cry
ainr of, were calling her 10 lie down beside
them. Perhaps, witt: numenlury truth of
feeling, she thought how much happier had
been her fate, If, after years of bliss, the brll
were now tollng for her funeral, and she
were followed to the grave by the old ailec-
ton of her earliest lover, long her husbaud
Bat why had size returned to him when
their cold hearts shrunk from euch others
embrace.
Still the dealh-hcl tolled so mournfilly,
that the sunshine seemed 10 fade in the air
Whisper, communicated from those who
stood nearest The windows, now spread thro'
the church; hearse, with train OF several
coaches, WAS creeping along the street, con-
veying some dead man TO the church-yard
while the bride awaited living one al the
altar Immediately after, the footsteps OF
The bridegroom aud his friend, were heard
at the door. The widow looked down the
aisle, aud rlinched the arm OF one OF her
bridenunlds in her hony Iuud with such un-
conscious violence, that tho lair girl irenI-
bleh.
"You irghten me, my dear madam !" cri-
cd she. "for Heavens sake, what is the
matter"
"Nolhing, my dear, nothing" said the wild
ow; then, whispering close 10 her ear,
" There is II foolish fancy that ] cannot get
rid Of am expecting my bridegroom to
come into the church, with my two first hus-
bands for groomsmen z"
Look, lOokm screamed the bridesmaid
I" What is here? The funeral"
As she spoke, n dark procession paced
into the church. First cane un old man aud
woman, like chief uiorners at funeral, at
tired irom head to foot in the deepest black
all but their pule features and hoary hair (;
lie leaning on staff, aud supporting her de-
crepil form with his ncrvecss arm. Behind
appeared another, aud another pair, as aged
rs black, nnd nUurniul as the first. As they
drew near, The widow recognized in every
face some trait OF former friends, long for
gotten, but now returning as from their old
graves, TO warn her to prepare shroud, or,
with purpose almost us unwelcome, TO eXhi-
biz their wrinkles aud infrniiy, and claim
her as their companion by the tokens of her
own decay. Many a merry night has she
danced with them in youth. Aud now, in
Joyless age, she felt that some withercd part
ner should request her hand, and all unite in
a dance of death, 10 the music of the funeral
bell.
While these aged rnourners were passing
up the aisle, il was observed, that, from pew
to pew, the spectators shuddered Wth ire