The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1858-08-20
9listELLaMn
THE BRTDAb EVE.

WtlS t(llaWD
THE BRIDAL EVE,
One summer night, the blaze Of many
lights streaming from the windows of an
old mansion, pe,chod yondor among the
rocks and woods, flashed Car over tho dark
waters Of Champlaiu.
In quiet aud comfortable chamber Of
that mansion, a party Of Pridsh officers.
sitting around o table spread with wines
aud yiands, discussed a topic OF some I'M
terest, il il was not the most important
in the world, while the tread Of the dane.
ers shook the floor Of the adjoining room,
Yes, while all gaioty and dance aud mu-
sic ia the largest hall Of the old mansion,
whose hundred lights glanced far over the
waters Of Champaign -here ia the quiet
room, with the cool evening breeze blow.
ing in their faces through the opened win
dows, here tho party Of British officers
had assembled TO discuss their wines and
their favorte topic
That topic was--tho comparative beau
~ Of the women Of the world.
CAS- for me. said handsome young
Ensign, al will match tho yoluptuous
forms aud dark eyes of Italy. against the
beauties Of the worldl"
"And l." said bronzed old veteran,
who had risen TO the Coloneloy by his
long service and hard fighting, "and L
have a pretty lass Of a daughter there in
England, whose blue eyes and faxen hair
would shame your tragic beauties OF Italy
into very ugliness"
al have served in India, as you all hiust
know" answered tho one who sat next to
tine veteran, "aud never saw painting or
statute, much less living women half SO
lovely as some of these Hindoo maidens,
bending down by the light Of toIphes. over
| the dark waters ol tne Ganges."
And thus, ono after another, Ensign.
Colonel and Major, had given their opiu-
ions. until the young American Refugee,
lyouder at the foot Of the table, Is left to
daoide tho argument. That American
for blush to say it-handsome young
fellow as he is, with a face fu'l Of manly
beauty, blue deep eyes, ruddy cheeks aud
! glossy brown hair, that American is a
Refugee, and a Captain in the British ar
my. He wore the handsome scarlet coat
the glittering epaulette, lace rufiies on Iii
bosom aud around his wrists.
"Comc, Captain, pass the wine thi
wayl" shouted tho Ensign; "pass th
wine and decide this great question
Which are the most beautiful the rec
cheeks Of Merry England, the dark eye
of Italy, or the graceful forms Of Hin
doostan?"
The Captain hesitated Tor moment
and then tossing off a bumper Of old Mad
eria, somewhat flushed as he was Will
wine, replied;
"Mould your three models Of beauty
your Italian queen, your Hindoo nym ih
into one, and add to their charms a thous
and graoes Of color and form and feature
and / would not compare this perfection
Of lovoliness Tor single moment, with th,
wild ar!less beauty of-dn Amsrican beau
v"
The laugh Of the three officers, for
moment, drowned the echo Of the dane,
in the next room.
"Compre his American milk mait
with the women Of lhlyW
cor the lass Of Englandw
cor the graceful Hindoo grill"
The laughing scorn Of the British off
GERS stung the handsome Refugee to tn
quick.
"Hark yel" he cried, half rising from
his seat, with a flushed brow, but deeI
and deliberate voice; "To morrow mar
ry a wife, an american grill Tonight a
mid night, too, that American girl vii
join the dance in the next room. Yol
shall see her-you shall Judge for your
selves whether the American woman i
not the most beautiful in the world.
I, There was something in the manner o
the young Refugee, more than in the ma
ture Of his information, that arrested N
attention of his brother officers. For
moment they were silent.
"We have heard something Of you
marriage, captain" said the gay Ensign
"but we did not think that it would occu
50 suddenly? Only think ofitl-To-mol
row you will be gone --settled-verdio
} brought n--sentence passed--a marris
, mani But toll mel How will your lady
! love be brought to this house? though
I she resided within the rebel lnesg''
Z ''She does reside ,therel But have ser
friendly Indian chief, on whom ca
D place the utmost Dependence brin
her from her present home, at the dead {
night, through the forest, TO this man
; sion He is 10 return by twelve; il
9 now half-past eleven"
''Frendly Indianl" ECHOED the yetera
. Colonel; "rather an old guardian for
0 pretty woman Quite 40 original idea {
0 a DaeHno, vonl"
! "And you win match this lady again
3 all the world for beauty?"
q eyes, aud ii you do not agree with M
G this hundred guineas which , lay upo
! tho table. shall 5sfve our mess. for vine
Z for a month TO comel But i you doagrl
3 with. meas without q doubt you will
9 then you 9ro to replace this gold with
. hundred guineas Of your avn"
/. "Agreodl II Is a wagerl" ohoruase
4 the Colonel and the other tWo officers.