True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-01-07
u RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.


trigue into the crisis Of consummation.
Suffice it, that at HE announcement, the
parent were the most completely confoun-
ded Of all. e 'i{ egg
The mptial eve roledround. Guests
assembled in gliuering concourse, exu.
bereut in joyous anticipation, and splen-
didly decorated. The most brilliant vi
vacily and gayest confusion prevailed
The officiating minister appeared, and
there bright indications of9the fullest re.
alizatioh Of the happy an,icipations.
Moments were lntrefed ip pleasant in
terchange Of compliments Beautiful
women vivaciously responded to the happy
devoirs rand gay gentlemen, and the pnz
and musical hum ol pleasantgOices agree
ably confused the senses, Ill the minute
hand ofilhe parIor clock pointed the lfmr.
Expectation now commanded silence.
Curiosity at Zip toe suspected the merri-
ment, and only suppressed murmurs
were heard in intervals Of anticipa-
ton. o. H if '2s
The sonorons bell sounded the hour,
and dexpectation became intense. Scarce
ly had The elasl echo oflh Changing clock
died away III silence. when every cheek
paled, aud every pulsalion Of the hear
suspended A heavy sound as Of q fail
ing human body, sunken with sudden
ness to the floor, and accompanied with
the wild sIIrieks ofterror resounded from
The adjoining ruom.r Arush as Of hurry
ing feet, and a mingled echo Of learfuFex
clamatians, terrified every heart a mo
ment belore so joyous There was an
instructive rush forward the amsy bar.
riet iuterceptiug the PROGRESS Of the has
tening throng gave way, and a spec
tacle was presented 'beggaling 'dcscrip
lion.g ef tle a1's
"A lrighfnl group ofbeautiful woman.
pale as the snowy robes of The bride
nbwered ia dismay over the fallen form oI
a stricken man, dressed as for nuptia
night, deathly paid, and lying apparent
ly lIfeless in the center of the room.
Several gentlemen we're cha6ng The tenn
pies Of the fallen man, while a fair wo
man, agitated but self possessed, kneelinl
at his side, with bis head in her lap, ad
ministering powerful restoratives. Tht
bride, airayed in all her transcendant love
illness, stood on one side, the luslre o
her brillian countenanse alternately deep,
ening to carnation, and paing to feecy
whi,eness, while ia all other respecl,
she seemed calm and uumoved a,
an idle spectalress of a dramatic scene
Opposite her stood gentleman dress
ed like The fallen man, trembling ant
fearfully agiIated, alternately, scanning
the beautiful but passlonless vision before
him and the lIleless form at bis feet.
Outside The circle, and half hidden from
view, sunken in The deep embrace Of al
arm chair, with her face buried in the
fold Of her garment, reclined the hall
paralys sed mother Of the bride, speeches!
and lmmovable as statute. Near, trying
10 sooth her, stood the dismayed father
astounded and overcome by the appaten
calamity that befell his house. Al tIit
moment appointed for the huplials, lwt
bridegrooms claimed the hand Of The bride
Each had come with glowing anticipation
Of happiness, mulually congralulating
themselves upon the moment that wuid
find them united to the object Of lhei
operation. Each was unconscious Of the
others claims, and the effect when III,
dread full fact burst upon them, was ire
mendous twas too overwhelming fol
Tile young minister. With a heart reud
ing gasp he struggled for momsn
and fell head long and heart stricken t
the floor. Il was that appalling sound
mingled will the shrieks Of the brides
maids, which so startled the guests inth,
mldsls oflheir joy ous anticipalious an,
hilarilv. Az t.S'ti
rfhe spectacle presented to the rushing
and .terrIlied lnrong Of beautiful women
and gay gentleman was terrifying. III,
lableaux OF the fallen groom tile cain
and u0moyed bride the agialed groom
searching her with glariug eyes and liyis
features the paralyzed mother the as
tonished-and humble father the kneelinl
Iurns of the lovely and sympathetic wO
men. and the omnlous silence Of thei
attendant groomsmen, was one never be
/ fire witnessad I'm a nunlial ni0ht q