True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-03-08
gegeet Iale.
From the Salem Weekly Democrat.
THE DIAMOND VICTORY.

MAY VERNON sat alone in her room,
with her head bowed upon her clasped
hands, hnd her heart bowed to the present
outer world; all was closely locked within.
She had turned the pages of memory over,
and commenced reading far back into the
past; and, as she traced the indellible
characters, some were placed in sunshine
and wreathed with flowers Of light and
love, while others would not have been
discernable through the thick gloom that
surrounded them, were it not for the yet
darker hue in which they were written;
while from every page looks forth plead
ing, childish face, and the gaze burns into
the very soul of May, for, turn where she
will, those eyes meet hers,
At first, they were with her in her
childish sports, and they were very laugh
ing and happy then. There was sunny
brow, too, and very many smiles; but as
she turned over leaf after leaf, the smiles
grew less, the eyes fearful, and the pale,
quivering lips seem ever ready to part and
say, "Your father made mine drunkard." !"
Could not the same wild cry come up to
thousands, wrung from the drunkard's
despiscd, neglected chila; and did the
words but find aa echo in the hearts of the
manv sisters whose forms are decked with
the price of their sisters happiness, more
than one young and giddy head would bow
from the weight of the curse resting upon
it.
On the floor, by the side of May, as
though hastily thrown down, lay dia-
mmd bracelet, that would have been on-
yied by all the fashionable ones that were
that night to assemble in the splendid
rooms of Mrs. G.. but her mind was busy
with other thoughts than those of the ball,
where jewels flashed, and light forms gil
ded with the swelling music, played by
master hands She was suddenly started
from her musings by a quick heavy tread,
and rising up in haste, met the angry gaze
Of her father.
"How is this, May, that I find you sit
ting here as though you were dumb, while
the carriage has been waiting for you this
half hour?" "and," he continued, as his
restless eye caught sight of the diamond
bracelet upon the floor, on which May had
unconsciously placed her foot, "see there,
that diamond bracelet that you are now
treading upon as though it were not worth
farthing; surely you are an exemplary
daughter. Take it up and put it on i'm
mediately. 1 am not to be triAed with in
this way, and you know it too" and his
voice sunk almost to whisper, so hoarse
was it with passion.
May took up the bracelet, but instead
of putting it on, as her father had ordered
her, she laid it on the table, though it
was done with trembling hand, for she
had never before dared openly to disobey
him, but there had change came over
her, and in the strength of her own pure
resolve, she stood ready to assert her right
for the first time, and as his equal.
She approached him, and timidly laying
her band upon his arm, said, "Father, |
cannot wear that bracelet. I would rath.
4er not mingle with the gay ones tonight,
at all, but indeed | cannot wear tho brace.
Jet if I do" +..
"What do you meap?' npgrily demon-
ded Mr.. Vernon.
"I mean that I have learned the price
Of it," replied May, in q low voice; but
low as it was, it fell in heavy tones upon
her fathers car, and he for moment
shrunk before the searching glance of hel
earnest eye, but quickly rallied, and hi
lips, white with rage were ready to utter;
vindictivc reply to what she had said bu
May continued, "and that shining banC
clasped about my arm would seem to m,
the fetter that held the most guilty o
criminals Father, my thoughts hay,
been led to-day, back to our old home
and in fancy rested beneath the willow
that shades my mothers grave, He
hand again rested fondly upon my head
as she breathed her last blessing; ant
when the dull earth was thrown upon her
| was alone in the world, with no one t
love but you and little Ina--the dspres