Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-03-26

long as Eliza received any information con
cerning him his fortune was still precarious.
yet was not the ardor of his passion in the
least abated, or his hopes in ought extingushed
Therefore Eliza remained callous to the ad
dresses of her many admirers, and deaf to the
earnest entreates Of her father. But now three
years had rolled round since she had received
any intelligence from him, and it was a cur.
; rent report through the neighborhood that he
had fell at the battle of -; his own sister
| persuaded Eliza such must have been his fate
At last this unfortunate girl, overcome by the
continual solicitations of her friends, yielded at
last to satisfy the desires of her parent, and
was now going to be married to rich land
holder of the first connexions, though at the
same time, she declared her heart was with her
unfortunate Edmund.
This little interesting history made me some
what anxious to see this beautiful, young and
unfortunate lady-I therefore yielded to the
impulse OF the dandy's arm, and entered the
domicile Of Mr.. Stanmore. A large company
had convened in the expet tation Of the ap.
preaching ceremony the eyes of all resting
on the bride and bridegroom who were seated
on sofa, in the audience hall. | was struck
with the enchanting appearance of the unfor.
tunate Eliza, as soon as cast my eyes on her,
the impression then felt, even at this late day
remains bright in my memory. She appeared
to be about in her sixteenth year, she was az
rayed in the finest costume, but the natural
regularity and symmetry of her countenance
and the charming lustre Of her snowy neck
partially covered with floating ringlets OF hair
of the finest chesnut brown, were sufficient to
render her too charming" without the frail
assistance of dress. All that is beautiful, love.
ly and fascinating was there; indeed may
say it, without exaggeraton, | never beheld,
before nor since, SO interesting being. From
the detected cast of her countenance, and Ian.
guild eye, it was easily perceived that her feel
ings partook not of the gay festivities, mirth
and glee that regaled the happy inmates of the
house.
A few moments elapsed after had gained
a seat, when the priest announced that all was
ready. slight paleness flashed over the coun-
tenance of the unfortunate Eliza and cold
trepidation shook her gentle frame; yet with
as much composure as the case would admit Of
she approached the Threshold, where her des.
tiny was to be confirmed forever. Never can
forget the feelings that pervaded my breast
at that dread moment nt-Worlds would have
sacrificed, could | have produced the unfortu.
nate Edmund The ceremony was about com.
mencing, when considerable tumult was crea.
ted at the door, Mr.. Stanmore called to know
what was the matter-a waiter entered and
told him stranger was contending with the
porter for admittauce, sw earring he would speak
to the gentleman Of the honse that instant
I or him onfor - nheorvoI Ar St,np,oro TN,o
waiter retired, and in few moments returned,
conducting in Il middle aged man of ordinary
size and appearance his garb was sufficient
to tell he was minstrel. "What is thy busi-
ness friend" observed Mr.. Slanmore, that
you are so importuna ?" "The loon ask
is SMALL" replied The stranger, with becoming
modesty, "and Heaven itself, will bless thee
for granting it." "Name ii" replies Mr.. Stan.
more, somewhat impatiently.-" 1t is" replies
the stranger, " that may play an epithalami-
urn previous to the solemnization of your
daughters marriage; pray you deny me not
this small request" You shall, undoubtedly,
have liberty" said Mr. Stanmore, "and we
will thank thee for thy performance, good sir"
A triumphant smile played upon the lips of the
minstrel he nodded a respectful obeisance,
and rivettng his eyes on the bride, sung (ac-
companyng his voice with his harp,) the follow
ing pathetic verses, in the most paintive man.
ner:
l. 90 know you not my lady bright,
Who now the bridal wreaths are wearing,
An absent youth gallant knight,
OF high renown and noble bearing.
2" Where is that youth! Oh. lady fair,
bo J,,;o
His aching head was on my breast;
My blessings bear to her, he said,
Whispered thy name then sunk to rest,
Too true to thee, thou faithless maid"
From the commencement Of this song, had
observed sudden paleness, as Of death, to
seize the unfortunate Eliza, and an immense
trembling to agitate her whole frame; but
scarce had the minstrel concluded the last line
when utterng a faint scream, she swooned,
and would have fell, had not she been support.
ed by the bridegroom. "What is the matter,
my love p exclaimed he most affectionately
"speak, beseech you;" but she returned him
no answer. Her countenance assumed the as
pect of maniac, her eyes rolling in irighful
wildness-at last by wonderful effort, she
gathered degree of composure, and in the
most plaintive manner, thus addressed the min.
strel -" No, good minstrel, have not yet
breashed the nuptial VOW, nor will IL am yet
true and faithful to the object of my first pre-.
dil.cfion" Then turninp To her father sha