Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-10-18
The Bridal Wine Cup.
A THRILLING SKETCH.

! Pledge with wlne---pledge with wine, "
cried the young and thoughtless Harvey
Wood; "pledge with wine" ran through the
crowd
The beautiful bride grew pale--the decisive
hour had come. She pressed her white hands
together, and the leaves of her bridal wreath
trembled on her pure brow; her breath came
quicker, and her heart beat wilder
Yes Marian, lay aside your scruples for
this once" said the Judge in low tone, go
ing toward his daughter, 1.-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 Marian's principles were well known.
Harvey had been conviyialist, but of late
his friends had noticed a change in his man
ners, and tonight they watched to see, as
they sneeringly said, if he were tied down to
a woman's opinion so soon.
Pouring a brimming beaker, they held it
with tempting smiles toward Marian. She
was very pale, though more composed, and
her head shook not, as smiling back she
gracefully accepted tie chrystal tempter, and
raised it to her lips. But scarcely had she
done So when every hand was arrested by
her piercing exclamation of "Oh! how ter
rible y
"What is it ?" cried one and all, thronging
| together, for she had slowly carried the glass
at arms length, and was fixedly regarding it
as though it was some hdeouS object.
wait" she answered, while an inspired
light shone from her dark eyes, wait, and |
will tell you. ! sec" she added, slowly point
ing one jeweled finger at the sparkling liquid
"a sight that beggers all description, and
yet listen; | will paint it to you, if | CAN
1t is lonely spot; tall mountains, crowned
with verdure, rise in awful subilmity around !;
river runs through, and bright flowers grow
to tue waters's edge. There IS thick, warm
mist, that the sun seeks vainly to pierce
Trees, lofty and beautiful, wave to the airy
motions of the birds; but there-a group
of Indians gathers; they fit to and fro with
something like sorrow upon their dark brows.
And in their midst lies manly form but his
dark cheek, how deathlyI his eyes wild with
the litful fire of fever. One friend stands
beside him-nay, | should say kneels; for
see, he is pillowing that poor head on his
breast.
Genius in ruin-oh the high, holy look
ing brow, why should death mark it, and he
so young! Look how he throws back the
damp curls! See him clasp his hands, Hear
his thrilling shrieks of life! Mark how he
clutches at the form of his companion, im-
plorng to be saved Oh! hear him call pit
eously his fathers name! see him twine his
fingers together as he shrieks for his sister
his only sister--the twin of his soul-weep-
ing for him in his distant native land
See !" she exclaimed, while the bridal
party shrank back, the untasted wine trem-
bling in their grasp, and the Judge fell over
powered upon his seat see, his arms are
lifted to Heaven; he prays, how wildly, for
mercy but fever rusheS through his veins.
The friend beside him is weeping; awe-striek-
en-, the dark men move silently away. and
leave the dying and the living together"
There was hush in that princely parlor
broken only by what seemed a smothered sob
from some manly bosom The bride stood
stealing to the edge of her lashes. Her
beautiful arm had lost its extenton, and the
glass, with its little red troubled waves, came
slowly toward the range of vision. She
spoke again; every lip was mute Her voice
was low, faint, yet awfully distinct: she fixed
her sorrowful glance upon the wine cup.
at is evening now; the great white moon
is coming up and its beams lie gently on his
forhead. lie moves not; his eyes are set in
their sockets; dim are their piercing glances;
in vain his friends whisper the name of father
and sister-death-an no soft hand. no gen
tie voice to bless aud soothe him. His head
sinks back one conyulsive shudder he is
dead !"
A groan ran through the assembly, so viv-
id was her description, so unearthly her look,
so inspired her manner, that what she dscri-
bed seemed actually to have taken place then
and there. They noticed also that the bride
groom hid his face in his hands and was weep
ing