Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-11-28
men. tbe parents were the most completes

Tie nuptial eve rolled round. Guests
assembled in glittering concourse, exube-
rant in joyous anticipations. and splendid
8ly decorated. The most brilliant vivaci-
.ty and gayest confusion prevailed. The
officiating minister appeared, and there
were bright indications Of the fullest real-
izations. Moments were FILTERED in plea.
SAINT interchange of compliments. Beau
.tiful women vivaeiously responded to
happy deyoirs Of gallant gentlemen, and
the buzz and musical hum Of pleasant
voices agreeably confused the senses, till
the minute hand of the parlor clock point.
ed the hour. Expectation now command
ed silence. Curiosity on tip toe suspend
ed merriment, only suppressed murmurs
were heard in intervals Of anticipations.
The sonorous bell tolled the hour, and
expectation became intense. Scarcely
had the last echo of the changing clock
died away in silence, VIXEN every cheek
paled, every pulsations OF hearts suspen>'
dad. A heavy sound. as of falling hu>
nSu body. sunken with fearful sudden
ness 20 the floor. and accompanied by
wild shrieks Of terror from an adjoining
room. A rush. as of hurryiug feet. and
mingled echo Of fearful ordinations,
terrified every heart, moment before so
joyous. There was an instructive rush
forward; the fimsy barrier intercepting
the progress Of the Fastening through
gave way, and spectacle was presented
beggaring description.
A frightened group of beautiful women
pale as the snowy robes Of the bride. cow
cred in dismay over the fallen form Of
stricken man, dressed as for nuptial
night. deathly pallid, and lying apparent
ly lifeless in the centre of the floor. Se>
veral gentlemen were chafing the temples
Of the fallen man, while q fair woman,
agitated, but self.possessed, kneeiing at
his side, with his head in her lap, admins
istered powerful restoratives. Tie bride
arrayed in all her transcendent loveIiness
stood on one side. the lustre OF her beau
tiful countenance alIernatively deepening
to carnarion. and paling to feecy whites
ness, while in all other respects she seem.
ed calm and unmoved as an idle specta-
tress of a dramatic scene.
Opposite her stood gentleman dressed
like the fallen man, trembling and fear
fully agitated, alternatively scanning the
him. aud the lifeless form at her feet
Outside the circle. and half hidden from
view, sunken into the deep embrace of an
arm chair, with her face buried in the
folds of her garments. reclined the half
paralyzed mother Of the bride, speechless
and immovable as statue. Near, and
trying to soothe her, stood the dismayed
father, astounded and overcome by the
apparent calamity that had befalen his
house. At the moment appointed for the
nupti0lS, t,0o brtdegroORaS claimed tie hand
ofthe bride Each had come with the
gfNwing anticipations of happiness, mutu>
ally<congratulating themselves upon the
approach of the moment that would find
them united to the object of their adora-
ton. Each WAS unconscious of the others
claims. and the, effect, when the dread
fact burst upon Them was tremendous
It was too over% helming for the young
minister. With aNheart rending gasp, he
struggled for a moment aud fell headlong
and heart stricken to the floor. It was
that appalling sound, Mingled with the
shrieks of the bridesmaids which so star.
tied the guests in the midst Of their joy
Gus snticipations and hilarityA
The spectacle presented to be rushing
and terrified throng of beautiful women
aud gay gentlemen was terrifying. Phe
tableaux Of the fallen groom; the calm
and unmoved bride; the sgitated groom,
searching her with glazing eyes and lifid
features; the Paralyzed mother; the astoh.
ished and humbled father; the kneeling
forms OF lovely and sympathetic women;
and the grave and ominous silence of
their attendant groomsmen, was one per-
haps never before Witnessed on nuptial
night.
After while the ministrations Of kind
nurses began to produce Reaction in the
prostrated system OF the fallen groom
Signs of returning animation became Wis
ible. The actors and witnesses Of the
tragic scene regained composure. The
fathers self-possession returned. Advan'
cling TO the beautiful but heartless author
Of the painful drama, he sternly comman-
ded her instant choice between the con-
testing suitors. The mother, still true to
her partial ties. advocated her fa"orite.-
The father maintained neutrality, but re-
peated his commands. The daughter,
Astandiug in awe Of her father, pleaded a
moments reflection! It was granted,
bS i. a flying messenger was Immediately
desN matched for the officiating minister,
wbay yIt was now discovered. had escaped
in tbe Aeonfusion. unpereeived, and had
reuaire% thoughtful and sorrowful 70 bis
home.
After mNch persuasion he returned
and the compSpy, whose early gaiety now
gave place to Aadness and silence again
repaired to the Narlors to swsi1 'he hnsl
deyelopement ofSss closing, Tue 1 broad e,
doors were now flung open. a Stream o. t
brilliant light. succeeds oy me hood Sd:,o1 Of
beauty. irradiated the scs Inc oae.maa1 OssSSi
j ...,NA OeIomO1l l