True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-04-05
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From the Boston Olive Branch.
MAY LESLIE;
OR THE 81
FORBIDDEN MARRIAGE
By JESSIE ANTHoN.

BY JESSIE ANTHON. ss
THERE was to be bridal at Brookside,
and long before the appointed hour, the
quaint old church was filed with an impaT
tient crowd. It was not because a we'd
ding was an unusual occurrence there,
that 50 many thronged those dim aisles,
and gathered about the crumbling porch.
But few weeks had passed since Farmer
Burford's youngest daughter had dazzlcd
the oyes Of her rustic neighbors by the
Vplendor Of her bridal attire, and dashed
of to her city home, leaving her four ell
der sisters to envy her good fortune
Then followed Susie Eastman, the poor
wash -woman's only child, who knclt before
the altar in her dress of simple white, with
NO ornament save that of "a meek and
qaiet spirit, and no dowry but the
wealth Of golden curls which seemed to
hide the sunbeams in their glittering
threads. But there was mystery about
this bridal, which even the village gossips
could not solve. They could only tell
that ia the early morning, gentleman
and lady bad alighted at the village inn; /;
and having engaged the best accommoda-
tiSns ii ach it afforded, the gentleman had
visited tho clergyman, and requested him
,e psrforh tie marriage ceremony on the
<muipg afternoon. The news was soon
calculated throughout the village, and va
rious were the surmiscs concerning the
strangers, but the mystery remained un-
selved.
The old church was thrown open, and
the soft summer breeze allowed to steal in
and out at will, bringing with it clouds
Of fragrance, gathered from the blossoms
sf tho jassamine and honey-suckle, which
grew in rare profusion around the ancient
porch. 1t was strange, wild place Of
romantic beauty, where the Brookside vii
layers gathered for worship. The church
was yory ancient building, built Of rude
grey stone; but so completely covered by
ivy and wood -bine, as to sender the origi-
nal material scarcely visible. A thick
grove Of hcmlock and pine surrounded it,
aud cast 50 dense shadow, that the noon
day sun could scarcely penetrate it; save
here and there, where stray beam stole
through and slept like diamonds upon the
rioh moss The eye of the passer-by was
at once attracted to the beauty Of the
seeue, while feeling of gladness was
strangely mingled with pain as he gazed ;
for boncath the whispering pines, where
Millows dropped their fringed branches as
II TO protect the lone slcepers, were two
graves. The wife aud child of the aged
clergyman were resting there in the last,
long, dreamless sleep and as the old man
passed them BY aud entered the humble
church, he brcathed asilent prayer that
he might soon sleep beside them. Hchad
scarcely seated himself before the neat and
tastoful altar, when a low murmur among
"a go "a. ~. .
iheinlpationt assembly proclaimed the arrl'
val Of the bridal party and girlish fig
ufa stole timidly in, leaning on the arm o.
atalland handsome man.
Asthe FIRST glance upon the pair, one
felt that theirs was no common destiny
Thore was a stern and even severe expires
sion upon the lofty brow Of the bride bride
groom, which contrasted strongly with the
almost fcminine tenderness Of his clear
blue cye and delicate mouth but it wa'
upon the bride that all gazed with anab
sorbipg Interest, From the delicate lace'
which hoated over her dark curls, to the
embroidered slipper which encased hel
liuy foot, there was an airy gracefuness,
bcwildcring fascination, which causedsth,
spectators to hold their breath lest th,
fairy vision might fade away; like the gilt
sering pageant Of a dream
a dress Of white Grape, embroidered !
silver lilies, aoated in graceful folds abop
her slight form, and falling low from \. he !.
vino and sloping shoulders, revealed th
sdrvSof awan-like neck, half conceded
81 ne wealth Of cnrls which would not b
restrained from their accustomed play b
the delicate wreath Of buds and leaves