The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-06-28
The Miners Bride.
/ THRILLING STORY.

composed eHtIIeiy Ol ulueIS, uFet
Peter and Margaret.
Peter was the son of an overseer O
the mines. AS soon as he could walk
he ran to the mines, he descended into
them, and by his cheerfulness and play
solaced the cares of his father After
wards, when his good childish qualities
gave place to youth, Peter became a
good workman and, after his father, he
was most capable of directing the work
He knew how to select the place
where the miner could strike with the
best assurance of success. He used tc
pass through the long subterranean gal.
Ieries, without wandering from his
course and incapable of fearing the
darkness, he playfully, and yet by rea-
sons entirely natural, explained the
mysteries which were the cause of SC
much terror to his companions.
He was perhaps the only man that did
not tremble when the fire-damp, the
pest to miners, was mentioned.
One evening, las Peters father was re-
turning from the neighboring village,
he heard, as he thought, groaning. He
stopped, searched in the underwood,
which bordered both sides of the road
which he was travelling, and what was
his astonishment to find child covered
with rags, struggling in the grsss, and
lifting Its little hands, as if to implore
aid. Its little cheeks were wet with
tears, and the hoarseness of its voice in
dicated that for long time ii had been
left there, either by accident or from
malice, to the pity of the paSsers-by
The old miner, at the unexpected
sight felt his heart moved. He thought
of his son, of his dear Peter, and then
stopped down by the side of the poor
child, and spoke to it, as if his words
could afford consolation. He promised
it his aid, folded its tattered rags around
it, wrapped it in his leather apron; and
carried it home with him.
Wife," said he, opening the door Of
his cabin, " guess what present | bring
you. Providence has chosen US, of all
the inhabitants of the village. to afford
aid to an unfortunate child. | am cer-
tain of it, for know your heart"
The wife stretched out her hands
to her husband in reply. Considering
by what chance the little girl came to
them, she looked upon her as her own
child. 1t was in this manner that Mar
garet's life was saved, and she found
family, after having been abandon, and
left prey to the carnivorous animals
which pTowl through the woods and
glades.
These two children grew up, and as
they were always together, as their only
object was to please each other, they
soon loved each other tenderly-to the
titles of brother and sister, sweet ones
Their hearts understood
each other; they thought of a future
they had not yet experienced,
and Peter asked his father to give him
Margaret for companion.
II was the wish of the good parent.
How the hearts of the young people
beat. when Peters father said to them,
q Fix for yourselves the day of your hap
piness.o
This soon arrived, and they were so
beloved, that the day of their marriage
was a general holyday. All left their
labor, the mines were deserted, the
girls put bouquets in their bosoms,
aud the boys stuck them in their button
holes. Every where shouts of JOY were
10 be heard, and the sounds of instru-
ments of music, TO which the rustics
danced on the grass.
But in the midst of the rejoicing
Peter went to his lovely bride and en-
Draced her. After that he said myste-
-iousIy to his companions-sDon't let
ler come, this is the moment to surprise
1er. Now is the time to give her my
PRESENTS
So saying he left them, smiling and
putting his finger on his mouth, so as
o enjoin silence. He walked slowly
'ound the house, appeared to take by
Dad which led to the ancient mines,
md then was lost sight of.
He did not return that evening, nor
lid he come back the next day. They
searched for him. Three days, four
lays, eight days, month, and year
yea, many years rolled away, and Peter
lid not return.
On the day of his marriage, as soon
IS his long absence was known, all the
nerriment was suspended. The bride
Tept and tore her hair. The miners, led
~ Perer's father, went through all the
passages Of the mines, left no spot un-
examined, but nothing appeared to af-
ord them any hope Of finding their COM
,anion and son. -
Margaret almost died She returned
o life but to consecrate her days to the
ather and mother of Peter. They
much deserved pity, and SO did she,
,ut gratitude inspired her with super
latural courage. She took off her bou-
Iuet and her marriage garland, and lay
ng them away with care, said, =" will
vait for his return.
y 4 y " 4
Sixty years after this adventure, so ter
ible, and at the same time so singular,
many things had passed in the village.
Margaret had closed the eyes of her
Almost all those who had
,een at the intended marriage, had
.one to their last rest. A new generb
ion had sprung mp and the remem-
,ranop of pofor;e advanfure of his and.