The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-08-19

red up my horse, and ere long the grey
towers and turrets of my fathers rose
before me, gloriously sprinkled by the
fervid beams of an unclouded July SUM-
| recognized friend in every stone, an
old acquaintance in every tree. even
thought that l knew the crows nests
which had so often despoiled; and l
could swear to the initials of my name,
which, with Helen's assistance, l had
feloniously carved out of the smooth
bark of huge chestnut tree.
But other thoughts now occupied my
mind, for l heard the joyous shouts of
many light-heartcd boy and maiden !;
and presently turning a corner of the
way, saw indeed bridal procession,
advancing in all its glittering circum-
stance and panoply. My heart b at
high. C. l will meet them on foot" |
said, Gas an unknown individual, and
their JOY and surprise will be greater"
So turned my horse into an adjoining
field, and, mantling my face in my ca
pacious cloak, l pursued my way with
feeling, which can neither analyze nor
describe.
On came the procession My father
according to usage-rode first, on an
ancient steed, which had faithfully serv-
ed him for more than twenty years
The old man was feeble, and more bent
than when parted with him yet still
1 was rejoiced to see that time had laid
his hand but gently on his honored head |
His eye was waxed dim, however, and
he rode past me without stop or recog-
milton. Then came my relations-dis
tant connections, whom l had never
seen, or, having seen them merely as
children, did not know. The ignorance
was mutual. Twas merely regarded as
spectator of the solemnity of the day.
At last the bridegroom appeared, on a
gallant piebald steed, which pranced be-
meath his joyful burthen, as if he gloried
in the weight. l could not be mistaken;
it was indeed my brother, my only dar-
ling brother, who, from laughing lad,
had grown up into a noble mana man
whom in crowded street you would
turn back and gaze upon, as perfect
model of his race. Grace and power
we're in every motion and look; the light
ease of the Apollo was admirably blend
ed with the nerve and muscle of the
Hercules.
He rode up, and, as usual, the bride
sat behind him, tall, slender, and nobly
fashioned, and bashfully retiring as the
graceful gazelle. 1 was about to speak
when passing gust of wind blew aside
her veil, and there beheld Helen! ayI
Helen We're, my first, my only love, and
my all but pledged bride. What mis-
cry, and despair, and rage, were concen-
trated in that little moment All my
hopes, all the wandering, and tolls, and
privations, became but as empty wind
by that look. l seemed in that moment
70 live over fifteen years of my life. My
irst feelings of love-my parting kiss ;
ny dreams of her when far away, danced ,
wildly in my brain. She was another's
bride The sudden shock was too much :
Ior feeble frail reason to sustain. l ;
forgot where / was. What was l doing.
[ rushed forward l threw out my arms
ike one battling with some tempest
vexed sea. l screamed, l laughed, l
shouted ha, ha, ha till the rocks echoed
rs with the bowling of thousand wolves. s
My blood felt like liquid fire my eyes 0
seemed starting from their burning c
sockets my veins were swollen in agony, a
md my heart seemed glowing and crack r
ing, as if the internal fire of whole
eternity were concentrated in its narrow f
limits. Welcome my love welcome n
ny lady bride !" shouted, "you have a
,ept your troth bravely-we shall have b
merry brdal--ha, ha, ha! But who d
aughs :" L exclaimed, startled at the e
ideous sound of my own maniac voice /
who dares laugh at us-ha she rides c
7ith demon-'tis death, death himself d
see you not the feshless limbs through d
he bravery of his crimson robes-down f'
a Gods name or the devils, to your
ative hell I" And, possessed with the p
lid fantasy which my whirling brain i,
ad conjured up, | rushed at my brother n
0 pull him from his seat. l had the Il
erve of giant-I was. blinded with the u
ury of raging madness the horse with k
Is riders were near the edge of the rock f,
L sprung forward at the imaginary ot
nemy, and oh, horror /! horror horror al
ver they went, horse and riders, over IN
he naked. crappy precipice. All i n