The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-01-21
THE BRIDAL EVE.
BY GEORGE LIpPARD


ter- Of lake Champlain.
In quiet and comfortable chamber of
that mansion, party of British officers,
sitting around table spread with wines
and viands, discussed topic Of some in
terest. if it was not the the most impor-
tant in the world, while the tread of the
dancers shook the floor of the adjoining
room.
Yes, while all was gaiety and dance
and music in the largest hall of the old
mansion, whose hundred lights glanced
over the waters Of Champlain-here in
the quiet room, with the cool evening
breeze blowing in their faces through the
open windows, here the party of British
officers had assembled to discuss their
wines and their favorite torie
The topic was-thc comparative beau
ty OF the women of the world
"As for NE, said handsome young
Ensign, L will match the voluptuous
forms aud dark eyes of italy, against
the beauties of all the world -
And l." said hronzed old v,teran,
who had risen to the Coonelcy by his
long service and hard fighting; 'and l
have pretty las of daughter there in
England, whose blue eyes and Haxen
hair would shame Jour tragic beauties Of
italy into very u-line>s,
Il have served in India, as you all
must know, Who sat next to the veteran,
and | never saw painting or statute,
much les, living WON an half so lovely as
some of those Hindoo msidens, bending
down by the light Of torches over the
dark xaters OF the Ganges."
And thus, one after another, Ensign
Colonel and Major, bad given their opin-
ions, until the young American Refuge,
yonaer at the foot OF the table, is left to
decide the argument. That American
for blush to say it-haDd>oue young
fello~ as he l., with face full of N auty
beauty blue deep eyes, ruddy cheeks and
GLOSSY brown hair. that American Is a
Refu- e, and Captain in the Briti-h ar
my. He vo,e the haudsoae scarlet coat
the ALTERING sppsulette, lace ruffles on
biz DO ON and arouud his wrists.
Gone, Captain, pass the wine this
way, shouted the ensign; pass the wine
ADD decide this great question! Which
arc the mo,t beautiful, the red checks OF
Merry Eng land, the dark eyes of italy,
or the graceful forms of Hindoo>
The Captain besitsted for moment,
aud the tossing of bumper of old ma
deria, somewhat flushed rs be was with
wine replied
Mould your three models of beauty,
your Italian Queen, your Hipdoo nymph
aud the English maiden into one, an
to their charms thousand graces of col
or and feature, and would not compare
this perfection of lovelibess, for single
with the wild artlcss beauty of-an A
merican beauty.
The lauA b of the three officers, for a
moment, drowned the echo of tue dance
in the next room.
Compare hi, American milk IL aid with
the women of Italy
'Or the lass of England y
Or the graceful Hindoo grill
The laug ghi0g scorn of the British Of.
fcers stuDg the hadsone Refuge to the
quick.
'Hark ye, he cried, half rising from
bis seat with flushed brow, but deeI
and deliberate voice to- III orrow | marry
a wife; an Aaerican girl To night al
midnight, too, that au Americdn girl vii
join the dance in the next room. Yor
shall See her-you shall Judge for your
selves Whether the American woman
is not the most beautiful in the world Z
There was something in the manner o'
the young Refugee more than in the ma
ture Of his Inform alton, that arrested the
attention of HE brother officers. For 4
momeLt they we're silent.
Owe have heard something of your
marriage" said the young Ensign, 'bu
We did not think it would occur so sud
denly. Only think of ito morrow yol
will be -settled-verdict broag b
in-seutence pas.cd-a man! But tel
me !! How will your lady love be brougb
to this house! | thong ht she resided
within the rebel lines Z
kOilS COtS ISStFC tutiC I1ub nav
sent friendly Indian chief--on whom
can place the utmost dependencies
bring her from ber present home at deaC
Of night through the forest, to this man
sion. He is to return by twelve; it is nov
balf-past eleven
Friendly Indian, echoed the old vete
ran Colonel, 'rath, r an old guardian fol
o pretty woman. Quite sn original ide;
of Duenna, vow!
And you will match this lady against
all the world, for beauty'
Yes, and if you do not agree with me
this hundred guineas which lay upor
the table, shall serve our mess, for wines
for a month to come! But if you do a
gree with meas without a doubt yot
will--theD you are to replace this goie
with hundred guineas of jour owD:
Agreed 1t Is wager chorusset
the Colonel and the other two officers.
ADd in that momeDt--while the door
way was tbronged with fair ladies an1
gay officers attracted from the next room
by the debate-as as the Refugee stood
~ L.