Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-09-14
Cbuirt IitRraturf.
The Bridal Wine Cup.

I've hour had come. She pressed her whlte
hands together, aud the leaves OF the bridal
wreath trembled on her pure brow; her breath
came quicker, her heart beat wilder.
Yes, Marion, lay aside your scruples for
this once said the Judge, in low tone, go
ing towards bis daughter the company ex-
pect it. DO not so seriously infringe upon
the rules of etiquette; in your own home
act as YOU please; but in mine, for this once,
please me.
Every eye was turned towards the bridal
pair. Marion's principles were we'll known.
Henry had been convivialist but Of late his
friends noted the change in his manners, the
difference in his habits-and tonight they
watched him to see, as they sneeringly said,
il he was tied down to a woman's opinion so
soon.
Pouring trimming beaker, they held it
with tempting smiles toward Marion. She
was still very pale, though more composed,
and her hand shook not, as smiling back,
she gracefully accepted the crystal tempter
and raised it to her lips. But scarcely mad
she done so, when every hand was arrested
by her piercing exclamation Of oh, how terri
bev
WHATS itl' cried one and all, ihronging
together for she had slowly carried the glass
at arms length, and was iixedly regarding
it as though it were some hideous object.
Wait she answered, while an inspired
light shone from her dark eyes, wait, and
will tell you. see,' she added, slowly,
pointing one jeweled finger at the sparkling
ruby liquid-'a sight that beggarS all descrip-
ton; and yet listen--I will paint it for you
if l can. 1t is lonely spot; tall mountains
crowned with verdure rise in awful sublimi
ty around; river runs through, and bright
flowers grow to the waters edge. There is
thick, warm mist, that the sun seeks vainy
to pierce. Trees, lofty and beautiful, wave
TO the airy motion Of birds; but there-a
group Of Indians gather; they fit 10 and fro
with something like sorrow upon their dark
brows. And in their midst lies a manly
forIn-but his cheek how doathly, his eye
wild with the iitful fire of fever. One friend
stands beside him-nay, should say kneeIs /;
for see, he is piIowing that poor head upon
his breast
Genius in ruins-oh the high, holy-Iook-
ingbrow! why should death mark it, and he
80 youngl Look how he throws back the
damp curls. see him clasp his hands! hear his
thrilling shrieks for life! mark how he clutches
at the form Of his companion, imploring to
be saved. OH hear him call piteously his
fathers name-see him twins his fingers to,
gether as he shrieks for his sister-his only
sister-the twin of his soul-weeping for him
in his distant native land.
'Seer she exclaimed, while the bridal par.
ty shrauk back, the untasted wine trembling
in her ialtcring grasp, and the Judge fell
overpowered, 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 awe
stricken, the dark men moyo silently away
and leave the living and the dying together
There was a hush in that princely parlor
broken only by what seemed a smothered
sob from aurno ,nsuIy bosom. Tho bridS
stood yet upright, with quivering lip, anc
tears stealing to the outward edge Of hel
lashes. Her beautiful arm had lost its ten
sion, and the glIss with its little troubled
red waves, came slowly towards the rang,
of her vision. She spoke again; every liz
was mute. Her voice was low, faint, ye
awfOlly distinct; she still fixed her sorrow
ful glance upon the wine cup.
1t is evening now; the great whit,
moon is coming up, and his beams lay gent
ly on his forehead, He moves not BIZ
eyes are set in their sockets dim are thei
piercing glances in vain his friend whis
pers the narae of father and sister-death i
there. Death--and no soft hand, no geN
tie voice to bless and soothe him. Iii
head sinks back ore convulsive shudder
he is head !
A groan ran through tho assembly, S
vivid was her description, so unearthly he
look, so inspired her manner, that, what sh
described seemed actually to have take
place then and there. They noticed ais
that the bridegroom hid his face in his hand
and was weeping.
Dead 7 she repeated again, her liz
quiverng faster and faster and her voice moi
and more broken; and thore they 5000
him q grave; and there, without a shrou'
they laid him down in that damp, reel
ing earth. The only son of proud fathe
the only, the dolized brother Of fond si'
ter. And he sleeps to day in that distar
country, with no stone to mark the spot
There he es-my fathers son--lnv ow
twin brother Ia victim to this deadly po
son. Father she exclaimed, turning su,
denly, while tears rained down her beaut
ful cheeks, father, shall drink now 2
The form of the old Judge was convul
ed with agony. He raised his head, but
smothered voice he faltered-' No, no, m
child, in Gods name-ne.'
She lifted the glittering goblet, and le
ting il suddenly fall to the h1or. il was dasI
ed in thousand pieces, Many fearf
eye watched her movement and instantan
ously every wine-glass was transferred to Il
marble table on which it had been prepare
Then as she looked at the fragments Of CRY
tai, she turned to the company, saying, i
no friend hereafter who loves me tempt =
TO peril my soul for wine. Not firmer a
the everlasting hills than my resolve, G
helping me, never to touch or taste Il
terrible poison. And he to whom l ha
given my hand--who watched over !