Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-09-29
ono GOD.n

This day year. said Frank Alley,
i shall be happy man.
As the wind lifted his brown curls from
perfec. brow of moulding. | thought
never looked upon prouder. brighter,
more teaming face. a ..... ..... ....
1--we seen Paris and my future wife
he added, laughingly, 'swo eras from
which one may fairly date his existence.
One year from to night promise to show
YOU AS fine a house and as beautiful q
bride as any other man in shis lair coun
try .~@- a s. .-@a
God willingr .. Ee. s..
Frank Alley turned with toss of h,s
head, and bent his flashing eye upon the
pale speaker. ~ l..es....# a, ..ar
'MyssT tciHiag,' he exclaimed, with
angry emphasis.-.I kaotO no Gad' a
There was look of almost mortal
anguish in that white face a. the young
brother turned from the hl.le group
He beard Franks impious wager with
his gay fieni, that # he failed to appear
on the very night esignaIed, IN health.
and with his young Partisan wife. he was
10 forfeit fifty thousand dollars!
Alas poor Alley. the model of every
thing; in man generous. and princely,
had returned from his European tour
an atheist.
Il knotc no God .... a.& ..
Night after night | woke up with thai,
frightful sentence ringing in my ears
The sneer that darkeneG Alleys hand.
some face with the stormy hate of a
fiend, seemed to float palpabIy before me
in the darkness. ........ ....... 49,.
A note of invitation to Frank Alleys
bridal, shall go! ..-... ..... w..
Vari colorei lights blazed along the
avenue fronting the princely mansion,
and through The old trees whose branch
es the south wind stirred not. rang rich
strains of inspired melody. ~
The bride was more lovely than Frank
had painted her. Her robes were al
most royal in their shining and costly
beauty. A rich veil fell half way from
her tresses of gold. The orange wreath.
braided with jewels. gave beautiful
luslre To her white. happy brow. But
when she looked up with such childish
confidence in those deep loving eyes
trusting SD wholly in the man who,
.kaew 40 Cod horror thrilled all my
veins.
WON my wager exclaimed Frank.
exultingly, when the guests were depar,
ing. You nigh. as well transfix light.
nlng, as to try to Tie my mina down TO
those old orthodox notions. Here, you
see. am in my own house-yonder rs
my wife. My UiH would have It so,
and tell you there is no God Jut will,
Come over and help me drink my hrsi
bottle in social way. Bring Mary and
we'll compete brides. French and En-.
ghsh beauties are quite dlssimilar. you
know Bidding his friend good bye
| Frank vanished. s-
Iheard his merry laugh. as left, min.
Cling with the thrilling strains of Vor
Weper's last Waltz.
|
Twas about retiring when the startling
cry of fire! broke the stiffness of ths
night.
I | sprang to The window. The Who'll,
heavens were kindieC into flame. On
on, rolled the red ligh', till every objec
seemed dyed in blood. For while j
hung with qu,vering glow, and its hs :. :,
ed wings were tired-then fas aa
sunk, with titful flashes, into '" o"oo
more. -
r.' ~ l"e @ mo.n'"' |. - al intelligence lha.
- -, -, .e1 mansion was heap
FRANK A"ey nEfs-and, more horrible
oi burning c'@ife had perished in The
qua" ai' HE himself was raving ma
mao consolation for the bereaved hus-
oand--no peniience for his awful boast
no altar had he; no star Of mercy to lead
him ou, OF the cloud.
Oh! j, is fearful thing TO know no
God