The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-09-24

clamaton Of
Oh, how terrible
What is ita cried one and all, thronrino
together, for she had slowly carried the
glass at arms length, and was fixedly re-.
garding 1t as though it was some hdeous
object. -
Wait, she answered, while an inspired
light shone from her dark eyes, md added,
slowly pointing one jeweled finger at the
sparkling ruby liquid, sight that beg.
gars all description; and vet listen-I will
paint it for you, if can. 1t is lonely
spot; tal! mountains, crowded with verdure
rise in awful sublimity around; a river runs
through, and bright flowers grow to the
waters edge. There is thick warm mist
that the sun seeks vainly to peirce Trees,
lofty and beautiful, wave TO the airy motion
of the winds. But there are a group of In.
dalns together; they fit to and fro. with
something like sorrow on their brows, and
in the midst lies manly form, but his
cheeks. how deathIy-his eyes wild with
the fierce fire of fever One friend stands
beside him-nay, | should say, kneels for
see he is pilowing that poor head upon
his breast
Genius in ruins Oh, the high. holy.
looking brow! Why should death mark i,
and he so youngl Look how he throws
back the damp curls y see him clasp his
hands and hear his thrilling shrieks for life
mark how he clutches at the form Of his com
panion, imploring 10 be saved Oh, hear
him call piteously his fathers name see
HIM twine his fingers together rs he shrieks
Tor his sister-his only sister, the twin sister
OF his soul weeping for him in his far dis
tant native land
See! she exclaimed, while the bridal par.
ty shrank back, the untnsted wine trem-
bling in their grasp, and the Judge fell over
powered upon his seat see! his arms are
lifted to heaven he prays, o, how wildly,
for mercy! Hot fever rushes through his
veins The friend beside him is weepinp
and awe-stricken; the dark men move ST
!ently away, and leave the dying and living
together!
There was hush in that princely party,
broken only by what seemed a srnothered
sob from some manly bosom. The bride
stood yet upright, with tears stealing to
the outward edge Of her eyelashes. Her
exquisite arm had lost tension, and the glass,
with its little troubled red waves, came
slowly towards the range Of her vision.
She spake again every lip was mute. Her
voice was low, faint, yet awfully distinct.
She still fixed her sorrowing glance upon
the sparkling wire cup.
1t is evening now, continued the bride.
The great white moon is coming up, and
her beams lie gently on his forehead. lie
moves not his eyes are set in their sockets
dim are his piercing glanc>s; ia vain his
friend whispers the name of his father and
sister death is there! Dcath-and no soft
hand, no gentle voice TO bless and sCothe
him. His head sinks backbone convul
sive shudder-he is dead
A groan ran through tho assembly-so
vivid was her description, so unearthly her
look, so inspired her manner, that what she
described seemed actually to have taken
place then and there. They noticed, also,
that the bridegroom hid his face in his
hands, and was weeping.
Dead she repeated again, her lips quiv-
cred faster, and her voice more broken {; and
there they scoop him Il grave; and there,
without shroud, they lay him down in
that cold reeking earth. The only son of a
proud father, and the only idolized brother
Of fond sister; and he sleeps to-day in
that distant country, with no stone to mark
the spot There he lies-mv fathers son
my own twin.brother a victim to this dead
ly poison. Father she exclaimed, turning
suddenly, while the tears ran down her
beautiful cheeks, father, shall I drink it
Dow2
The form Of the old Judge was convulsed
with agony. He raised his head, but, in a
smothered voice, he faltered-
No, my child, in Gods name, no!
She lifted the glttering goblet, and let
ting it fall, was dashed>into n thousand pie
ces Many fearful eve watched her move.
ment, and instantaneously the wine glass
was transferred to the marble on which it
had been prepared. Then, as she looked at
the fragments Of crystal, she turned to the
company, saying:
Let no friend hereafter, who loves me,
tempt me to peril my soul for wine. Not
lirmer are The everlasting hills than my re-
solve, God helping me. never to touch or
taste that poison. And he, too, to whom |
have given my hand-who watched over my
brothers. dying form in that solemn hour,
and buried the dear wanderer there by the
river, in that land Of gold, will, l trust. sus-
tain me in that resolve. Will you not, my
husband
He o,l;stanino eyes-his sad awe ct smile