Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-10-22
The Bridal Wine Cup.

The Bridal Wine Cup.
"Pledge With wine-pledge with wine;"
cried the young and t~houghtless Harry
Wood. "Pledge with wine," ran thro'
the crowd.
The beautiful bride grew pale-the deci-
sive 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.
eyes, Marion, lay aside your scruples for
this once" said the Judge, in a low tone,
going towards his daughter, 9 the company
expect it. Do not SO serio usly 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, Marion's principles were we'll known.
Harry had been a conyivialist but of late
his friends noticed the change in his man.
ners, the difference of his habits-and to-
night they watched to see, as they sneering-
ly said, if he was tied down to a woman's
opinion SO soon.
Pouring a trimming beaker, they held
1t with tempting smiles towards Marion.
She vas very pale, though more composed,
and her hand shook not, as smiling back,
she gracefully accepted the crystaltempter,
and raised it to her lips. But scarcely had
she done Sc, when every hand was arrested
by her piercing exclamation of Oh how
terrible
what is it? cried one and all, throng-
ing together, fer she had slowly carried the
glass at arms length, and was fxedly re-
garding it as though it was some hideous
object.
What she answered, while inspired
light shone from her dark eyes, wal and
Twill telkyau-+e~y-~La~addeA dkwlg,
pointing Ne jeweled finger at the sparkling
liquid, "a sight that beggars all description
and yet listen-I will paint it for you if
can. 1t is a lovely spot; all mountain
crowned with verdure, rise in awful sublim
ity around a river runs through, ant
bright flowers grow to the waters edge
There is a thick, warm mist that the SUI
seeks vainly to pierce. Trees lofty an
beautiful wave to the airy metion of tn
breeze. But there-a group of Indian
gather they fit to and fro with somethin
like sorrow upon their dark broEs; and i
their midst lies a manly form, but his dar
check, how deathly, his eyes wild with th
E ftful fire of fever. One friend stands b.
: side him should say kneels-for see, /
j is pillowing that poor head upon his brcas
Genius in ruins on the high, holy LOO
! ing brow, why should death mark it, and
r sc young. Look how be throws back ii
It damp curls see him clasp his hands he;
u his shrieks for life mark how he clatch
!, at the form of his companion, imploril
y to be saved. Oh hear him call piteous'
: his father name! see him Irvine his fnge
It together as he shrieks for his sister,
only sister-the twin Of his soul-weepil
for him in his distant native land.
e 'See!' she exclaimed, while the brio
party shrank back, the untasted wine ire
10 bling in their grasp, and the Judge f
overpowered in his seat, see, his arms a
Id lifted up to heaven he prays, how Wild
I'd for mercy! but fever rushes through
veius.-The friend beside him Is weepin
awe stricken, the dark men move silen'
away and leave the living and the dyi
il together.
m There was a hush in that p%rincely parl
broken only by what seemed a smother
e. sob from some manly bosom. The br
ng stood yet erect, with quivering lip, q
~ ~ tears stealing to the outward edge of
Id lashes.-Her beautiful arm had lost it's
%tention, and the glass with it's little tror
- led red waves game slowly towards
a range of her vision. She spoke aga
I'D every lip was mute. Her voice was |
faint, yet awfully distinct. She still f.
he her sorrowful glance upon the wine cul
too 1t Is evening now the great white M
nd is coming up, and her beams lay gently
he his forehead. He moves not-his eyes
sci set in their sockets-dim arc their pierc
Inc glances in vain his friend whispers
Iel name of father and sister-death-and
fbe soft hand, nogentle voice to bless and SOC
vas him. His head sinks back! one conyul'
lad shudder! he is dead
ere A groan ran through the assembly
mis- vivid was her description. so unearthly
ne look, so inspired her manner, that "
she described seemed actually to have ia
I'd place then and there. They noticed
the thatt the bridegroom hid his face in his ha
and was weeping.
pen 'DeadP she repeated again, her
she quiyering faster, and her voice brok
land there they scoop him a grave;
there, without a shroud they lay him dc
With in that damp, reeking earth. The
s of son of aproud father the idolized bro
ned of a fond sister. And he sleeps to-da,
lid. that distant countr !, with no stone to n
ed the spot-There he lies, nv fathers SC
my own twin brother IA victim to
deadly poison.-Father,' she exclail
turning suddenly, while the tears r.
, me down her beautiful cheek, father, sh
the drink it now 2
ard, The form of the old Judge was col
un- sed with agony. He raised not is |