The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-12-06
tiptoe suspended merriment, and only sup
pressed murmurs we're heard IN intervals.

the last echo Of the changing clock died away
in silence, when every cheek paled and eve-
~ pulsation of the heart suspended. A
heavy sound as Of a falling human body,
sunken with fearful su,ldenness to the floor,
and accompanied by wild shreks of terror.
resou"ded from an adjoining room. A rush
as OF hurrying feet, and mingled echo Of
fearful exclamations, terrified every heart a
IN oment before joyous. There was an in.
s:inctive rush forward; the flimsey barrier
intcrcepting the progress of the Fastening
throng gave way, and spectacle was pre-
sented beSsarins description.
frightened group of beautiful women,
pale as the snowy robes of the bride, covered
in dsm,y. over the fallen form OF stricken
man, dressed as for nuptlal night, deathly pal
lid, and lying apparently liiclcss in the CEN
tire OF the floor. Several gentlemen were
chatting the temples of the fallen man, while
fair woman, agtate'l but set:posscssed,
kneeliny at his side, with his head i'm her Ian.
administered powerful rrstu-ativrs. The
bride, arraved in all her transcenlant love-
Illness, stood one side. the lu>tre of her bril-
liant 'oun,enance alternately deepening to
carnatlon, and raIng to il,ecy whitcnrss
while in all other respects she seemed calm
and unmovcd as An iIie spcctatrcsS of dra-
matte scene
Opposite her stood gentleman dressed
like the fallen man. trrinblin. and ftartullv
aG'tated, alternately scanning the beautiful
tut pas>Ion'c>S vision before hn, and the
iiiclr>s form at Ter feet Outside the circle
and halt hidden from view, sunkrn into the
deep embrace OF an arm rh 4ir, with her face
curlri in the folds Of her garment. retlincd
the half partl.zri mothrr o. the bride. speech
less and lnnovahlc as a statue Near and
trying 10 Sooth her. stood The dismayed faith
rr. a>tounird and overcome by the appsrrnt
calamity that had hct.lrn his house. ~ he
momew oiIoi"fe1 for tie n"p'iui>. hro Lli,ie-
gro0ms cIniDtd NE hnnd ot Me triie Each
WAS unconscious of the Others claims, and
the effect, " hen thr dread :.rt hsr>t upon
them. was tremendous. Ii was 700 overw helm
in! for the yonnC minister. With heart
rendin" gasp he struggled FOR moment and
fell heai!ons and heart stricken to the floor
1t was that appalling sound, mingled with the
,hrirks OF the brides maids, which so startled
the quests in the mi!>t of their JOYOUS antici
prionS and h';aritv
Tn" spectacle presented to the rushing and
terrified lhr,nC Of hcaui.ul women and CAV
gentlemen. was terrifying. The ,ah,aux Of
the fallen groom: the calm and unmoved
bride: the agitstcd groom searching her with
g'arins eyes and livd f,stures; the paraly zed
mother the astoni>hrd aud humhed father
the knrcing forms Of lovely and sympathetic
women /; and ominous silence of their attend
ant groom>Inen, WAS one perhaps never be-
fore witnessed on nuptial night.
After . while the mins,ra,ions of kind
nurses began to produce reaction in the pros
tra'rd system Of the fallen groom. Signs of
returning animation hrramc visible. The
actors and witnesses of the tragic scene re-.
gained compo>ure. The fathers self posses
son returned Advancing to this beautiful
and hear'less author Of the painful drama.
II l. I L..
tween the COZ tending suitors. The mother,
still true 10 her partialities. advocated her IA
vorite. The father maintained neutrality.
hut reiterated his commsnis The daughter
standing in awe Of her father. plead for mo-
ing messenger was Immediately dispatched
for the officiating minister. who, it was now
discovered, had escaped in the confusion, m
perc. ived, and had repaired. thoughtful and
sorrowfnl, to his home After much persua-
sion he returned, and the company, whose
early gaycty now gave place to sadness and
silence, again repaired to the parlors to a.
wal, the final development of the closing
act The broad doors we're now flung open.
4 stream Of brillian, light succeeded by a
flood of beauty irradatc,l the scene. The
bridal train swept in. The nuptia! ccrcmo-
ny binds indis>oIubIy the heartless but mag
mifcent bride to the devoted but suffering
younS minister, whom at the last moment she
had chosen.
Reader, you will imagine the feelings of
the mothers favorits. Ills agony, if he loved
her truly. must have been intense. vet withaI
Irat,fication in the consciousness of having
e>caped the misfortune of marriage with a
pa,,lonless and marble. hearted fl,rt. You
will likewise Judge if the deep affection of
the Young minister received its Just deserts
We will not decide for YOU Our sketch is a
true narrative, aud its moral is profound
PART OF THE SMITH" FAMILY At THE
Sr. NICHOLAs.-A few weeks ago part OF
the respectable and select family Of Smiths
from Spec detown, State OF Connecticut. came
TO the city and put up at the ST. Nicholas.
They arrived by the evening tram, and
entered the hotel just as the guests were CON
ing from the dinner table, aud were promen-
AIDING the elegant and brilliant saloons The
family consisted OF good old Mrs. Smith "a
nice, good natured," clever" old soul OF fifty
five her only son, Harvey, a big, overgrown
honest faced country lad OF twenty; aud two
gals" or daughters. OF sixteen or eighteen.
Ate, the first furry and excitement of
arrival had passed Oft. the entire Smith party