Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-04-28
0be Dailp bireiniuu.
The Bridal Wine Gun.


hour had come. She pressed her white hands
together, and the leaves of her bridal wreatl
trcmb'ed on lier pure brow; her breath cam,
quicker, and her heart beat wilder.
Yes Marion, lay aside your scruples for
This once said the Judge in low tone, going
towards his daughter. the company expect it
Do not so seriously infringe upon The rules oi
etiquette; i'll your home act as you please, bu
in NINE, for this once. please me-
Every eye was turned towards the bridal
pair. Marion's principles were well known
Henry had been a convivialist but OF late his
friends noticed the change in his manners, the
difference in his habiis-and to nj ght they
watched him to see as they sneeringly said ii
he was tied down to woman's opinion so
| soon.
Pouring a brimming beaker,they held it with
tempting smiles toward Marion She was very
pale. though more composed, and her hand
shook not, as smiling back, she gracefully ac-
cepted the crystal tempter, and raised it to her
lips. Bat scarcely had she done so,when ev-
cry hand was arrested by her piercing excla.
nation of 'oh! how terrible!'
What is NJ cried one and all, thronging to-
gether, for she bad slowly carried the glass at
arms length, and was fxedly regarding it as
though it were some hideous object.
Watt" she answered, while an inspired
ligh, shone from her dark eyes, wait and |
will tel you. see,' she added, slowly point
ing one jeweled finger at the sparkling ruby Ii
quid-a sight that beggars all description, and
yet listen-l will paint it for you il | can. 1t
is lonely spot; tall mountains crowned with
verdure rise in awful sublimty around,a river
runs through and bright flowers grow to the
waters edge. There is thick warm mist
that the sun seeks vainly to pierce Trees,
lofty and beautiful. wave to the airy motion OF
the birds, but there-a group of Indians gath
er; they fit to and fro with something like sor'
row upon their dark brows. And in their
midst lies a manly form-bu! his cheek how
deathlv, his eye wild th the htful fire of ie
yer. One friend stands beside him-nay, |
shr uld say. knees; for see, he is pillowing that
poor head upon his breast.
Genius in ruins-ohl The high holy looking
brow! why should death mark it, and he so
young Look how he throws back the damp
curlsl see him clasp his hands hear his thrill
ing shrieks for lifei mark how he clutches at
the orm of his companion. Imploring TO be
saved. Oh! hear him call plteousy his faith
er's name-see him twine his fingers together
as he shreks for his sister-his only sister
the twin his soul-weeping for him in his
distant native land.
"See !" she exclaimed while the bridal par
ty shrank back, the untasted wine trembled IN
their falterng grasp and the Judge fell, over
powered, upon his seat-'see! his arms are
lifted TO heaven-he prays, how wildly, for
mercy hot fever rushes through his veins.
The friend beside him is weeping awestrick-
en-, the dark men move silently away. and
leave the living and the dying together.
There was hush in that prncey pa:lor,
broken only by what seemed smothered sob
from some manly bosom. The bride yet stood
upright, with qulvering lip, and tears stealing
to the outward edge Of her lashes. Herbeau
tlful arm had lost lis tension, and the glass,
With its little troubled red waves, came slowly
tow ards the range of her vision. She spoke
again every lip was mnte-Her voice was
low, faint, yet awfuly distinct; she still fixed
her ful glance upon the wine cup.
'It is evening now the great white moon
is coming up, and beams lay gently on his fore
head. He moves not his eyes are set IN their
sockets; dim are their piercing glance; IN
vain his friends whisper the name OF father
and sister death is there. Death-and no
soft hand; no gentle voice to bless and sooth
him, His head sinks back one convulsive
shudder he is dead -
A groan ran through the assembly, so vived
was her description, so unearthy her look, so
inspired her manner, that what she described
seemed actually to have taken place then and
there. They noticed also that the bridegroom
hid his face in his hands and was weeping.
Dead! she repeated again,her lips qulverlng
faster and faster, and her voice more and more
broken; and there they scoop him grave
and there, ithout shroud, they lay hlm
down in tina, damp, reeking earth. The only
son of proud father, the only idollzed brother
ola fond sister. And he sleeps to-day IN that
distant country. with no stone to marx the
spot There he les-my .father's sonny
own tuin brother "a victim to this dead
poison. Father she exclaimed, turning sud
denly, while the tears rained down her beau
titul cheeks, father, shall dril k 1T now
The form of the old Judge was convuiSet
with agony. He raised not his head but IN
smolhered voice he faltered-'No, no, my
child, in Gods name no
u She lifted the gnerng goblet and letting
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