Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-22

which enable him to celebrate mass his relations
his friend=, and the whole parish assemble They
choose a beautiful girl, above twelve ycars old
whom they crown with flowers. A show of bridal
ponp Is displayed for the happy couple They nre
| led 10 the church, where they married, and the
whole finishes with n gay entertainment immediate
y after whichthe church RECEIVERS forever her rights
-M.S.1
1t was in the spring of the year 1916,
that the two young sons Of the Count at
Altenberg were proceeding on their way
mounted and attended in all the feudal
states Of those times, from theiriather's cas-
tie, Zcll, in Saltzbourg, o that Of their
nearest and most friendly ;neighbor, the
Baron ofElsenheim. The object Of their
visit was for the younger brother to take
his leave, previous to his departure on the
following day for one ofthe Great German
universities, where he was TO complete his
education for the church.
The church, indeed, seemed to have
''rriarked him for her own" Augustus Of
| Altenbcrg was not more than sixteen; yet,
even at this carly age, the observer was un-
consciously impressed with the grave com
posure his air, the keen and somewhat
haughty glance ofhis eye, the rare and
melancholy smile, which seemed only to
soften, not cxhilarate, the expression Of lis
countcnance: he was tall, his features We're
regular, and very handsome; but his slight
figure, and complexion of sallow palcness,
indicated the struggle that had taken place
during childhood with the delcacy Of his
constitution. lie lad been tcnderly reared
by his mother, and with her, lie thought,
had died the only being who loved him
His father had fixed his affections upon his
lirst-born, Claudlus, three years older than
Augustus who, buoyant III the full spirits,
health and strength Of youth, had carly
shared with his faiher the tolls Of the chase,
and had lately encountered with him the
perus ofwar The Count considered the
second son as a timid, studious, delicate
boy, fit for nothing but priest.
The brothers arrived at Elsenheim and
were most warmly received by the baron
and baroness, and by their numerous pro
geny. After all was said that could be
said about hopes and regrets on the subject
of the departure Of Augustus, the family
crowded round their favorte and far more
constant visitcr Claudius; his brother, who
seemed more than usually oppressed,
withdrew to windowed recess, and look
ed insilencc on the distant towers of Alien
berg, now cleaning in the setting sun. The
merry laughter of the party grated on lis
cars and heart: "No one cares about me"
was his bitter thought. AT that moment
he felt two little hands press lis; it was the
Elsenhcim's youngest child, a girl seven
years ofagc
Are you really going away to morrow,
Augustusl"
"Ies, child, " lie answered, pcttishly.
fl am very sorry-and for such a
long time, too--fve whole years.
"Who told You to say you were sorry,
Emelincl"
The child looked at him and tears rush
cd TO her eyes; ''You do not believe me,
then, Augbstusl and yet am very sorry.
Who saved my little Pompey, when Ed
ward tied his legs and threw him into the
watcrl Who staid behind with me aud
holpcd me along at our last walking party,
when everybody left me because could
not walk so fast asthcy didl Who
"Well, Emeiinc, l believe YOU arc sor-
ry: and he stopped and kissed the tears
from her eyes. "And how long will you
recollcct mel'
Until you come back," she said eager
ly. Then standing on tiptoe and taking
from lis vest the gold pin with which it
was fastened "Givc me this" she said,
coaxIngly. "and you will see if | either
lose or give it away before you come back
aganl'
And Augustus Of Altcnberg departed,
and the five years passed away,
| 1t was impossible but that the count, bis
latheI', could be otherwise than gratilicd
at the high honors gained by his sonat the
university; and at the extraordinary rcpu-
taIion which, for one so young. he had cs-
tablised, both for ability and tanctity 1t
was lorctold by all, tllat he would prove
one ofthe strongest pillars Of the church,
now trembling to her foundation from the
attacks of Luther.-Hc took holy orders,
and returned home, where he was recciv-
ed with open armsby his father and broth
or.
He prepared himself for the celebration
of his first mass, by strict sechsion and
selfexammation; signilying his intention
that, until it had taken place, he would not
renew his acquaintance with any Of the
| families around--not even with those with
whom he had been most intimate
Theonly occasion on which he could
not avoid meeting them, was thar of the f'c-
titiouS marriage, which, according to the
lmmemorial custom of Saltzbourg, must
procede his officiating as priest. This he
regarded as part Of his preparation; as a
solemn religious ceremony, by which he
would abiure forever those lesser butdear-
or ties, which bind mankind together,
which strengthen our affection to the few
and weaken il to the many: for HIM no
such ties must exist The arrangement for
this peculiar and impressive ceremony
were left TO his family and clerical friends.
"Emehnci" exclaimed hersisters, crowd
ing round her, "we have news for voul
lou are selected as the bride Of ceremony
for Augustus Of Altenbergi We wish you
lJoy!" and they laughed as poor Emehnc's
color came and went at the unexpected IN
| tSHits sSuNS' ou are 50 ioiiu oi nun, ou
know-it win be quite romantic and at.
fecting-be sure you wear the gold pin as
conspicuously as possible-such BRIDE
groom: | would not marry him, even in
jest. would as soon go over the ceremo-
ny with deaths head But his broth
cray, his brother is quite different
person. But come, Emehne, YOU look
stupehed, and our mother is waiting for
you"
TWAS only the day before the ccremo-
ny, that Augustus was informed Of the
choice that had been made Of Emelne Of
Elsenheim, as his BRIDE in form Her age,
twelve years.l her rank. and the friendship