Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-11-21

musical hum of pleasant voices agrceably
confused the serses, till the minute hand OF
the parlor clock pointed the hour. Expecta-
ton now commanded silence. Curiosity
tip.toc suspended merriment, and only sup
pressed murmurs were heard in intervals.
The sonorous bell sounded the hour, and
expectation became intense. Scarcely had
the last echo Of the changing clock died away
in silence, when every cheek paled and every
pulsation of the heart suspended. heavy
sound. as of n falling human body, sunkcn
with fearful suddenness to the floor, and ac-
companicd lv wild shrieks of terror, re-
sounded from an adjoining room. A rush as
of hurrving feet and mingled echo of fear
ful exclamations, terrified every heart II mo-
mcnt hciotc so Joyous. There was an in
stinctivc rush forward the nimsey barrier
intcrccpting the progress of the Fastening
throng gave way, and spectacle was pre-
scnted bcggaring description.
frighted group of beautiful women, pale
as the snowy rohcs of the bride, lowered in
dismav over the fallen form of a stricken man,
dressed as for nuptal night, deathly pallid,
and lying apparently lfelcss in the centre of
the floor. Several gentleman were chafing
the temples Of the fallen man, while fair
woman, agitated but self possessed, kneeing
at his side, with his head in her lap, admins.
tered powerful restOratives. The b. ide array
cd in all her transcendant loyeliness, stood on
one side, the lustre Of her brilliant counten-
ancc alternately deepening to carnation and
paling to fcccy whiteness, while in all other
respects she seemed calm and unmoved as an
idle spectatress of dramatic scene.
Opposite her stood gentleman dressed like
the fallen man, trembling and fearfully agit-
ated. alternately scanning the beautiful but
rassonless vision before him. and the lifeless
form at her feet. Outside the circle and half
hidden from view, sunken into the deep ems
brace of an armchair with her face buried in
the folds of her garment, reclined the half
par lyzed mother of the bride, sreechess and
immovahe a statue. Near and trying to
soothe her, stood the dsmayed father, as
founded and overcome by the apparent calam-
ty that had befallen his house. Al The mo-
mem appointed for the nuptidiS, tUo bride
grooms claimed the hand Of the bride' Each
had come with glowing anticipations of hap
riness, mutually congratulating themselves
upon the moment that would find them united
to the object Of their alteration Each was
Unconscious of the others claims, and the
effect when the dread fact burst upon them
| was tremendous. Ii was too overwhelming
| for the young minister. With heart-rend-
| ing gasp he struggled for a moment and fell
headlong and heart-stricken to the floor. 1t
was that appalling sound, mingled with the
| shrieks of the bridesmaids, which so startled
the guests in the midst of their joyous antici-
pations and hilarity.
The spectacle presented to the rushing and
terrified throng of beautiful women and gay
gentlemen, was terrifying The tableaux OF
the fallen groom; the calm and unmoved
bride; the agitated groom searching her with
glaring eyes and lvid features the paralyz-
| 81 tba nd hum m fu h.
er, the kneeling forms of lovely and sympath-
etic women; and ominous silence of their
attendant grooms-men, was one perhaps
never before witnessed on a nuptial night
After a while the ministrations of kind
nurses began to produce reaction in the pros
grated system of the fallen groom. Signs o
returning animation became visible. The
actors and witnesses of the tragic scene re-
gained composure. The fathers set-posses
sion returned Advancing to this beautiful
and heartless author of the painful drama
he sternly commanded her instant choice
between the contcnding suitors. The mother
still true to her partia!ities, advocated he
| G,vorite. rho fat thor maintained neutrality
but reiterated his commands. The ughte
standing IN awe of her father, plead for 6
moments reflection. 1t was granted, but &
flying messenger was Immediately dispatched
for the officiating minister, who it was nov
discovered, had escaped in the confusion, un
perceived, and had repaired -thoughtful an,
s)rrowiul, toward his home. After muc
persuasion he returned, and the company
whose carly gaiety now gave place to sadnes
and silence, again repaired to the parlors t
await the final development Of the closin
act. The broad doors were now fun
open. \ stream of brilliant light succcede
by food Of beauty irradiated the the scene
The bridal train swept in. The nuptial Gel
cmony bound indissolubly the henrtlcss bu
magnificent bride to the devoted but suilcrin
young minister, whom at the last moment sh
had chosen.
Reader you will imagine the feelings {
the mothers iayoritc. His agony, if /
loved hcl truly, must have been intense, "
withal it must have been mingled with cm
tions Of qualification in the consciousness
having escaped the misfortune of marrial
with passionlcss and marble-hearted fir
You will likewise judge if the deep ailectiC
Of the young minister received its Just desert
We will not decide for you, Our sketch
a true narrative, and its moral is protoun