The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-05-05
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wedding was a grand affair. Silks
rustled, ribbons nuttercd, exquisite
lace vcilcd iairy-like forms. Dia-
monds gIittered, bright eyes sparkIed.
soft curls noated over lily shoulders,
and dimplcd cheeks glowed with
health and happiness. Rich music
praled through the vast saloons, and
light lc't kept time TO its enchanting
measures; there was gay laughter,
sweet smiles, low spoken vows, soft
womanly bushes, and manly tones.
Oh yes; it was Il brilliant wedding;
and from lip to lip was echoed" she
married wcll!'
"Did she1" The bridegroom was .
handsome man, dark lustrous eyes,
and a prolusion of raven locks; his
air was dignifed and commanding,
his manners polished and refined.
Mammas ever so intriguing, papas
ever so scheming. daughters enveigh-
ing and plotting, young men and old,
all declared earnestly" she married
we'll"
A gorgeous mansion was the house.
of the young bride; attentive servants
obeyed every wish, all that wealth or
station could bestow was hers. She
rode in her elegant carriage, she
dressed in the costliest fabrics. Her
jewels were of the richest lustre, and
gold to her was but as so much dross.
Oh yes, she married well.
Pale, still and cold as the moon
beams that steal through her curtain
folds, it meets the young and beauti-
full bride Of a year; the diamonds are
taken from her brow, and her long,
dishevcled hair falls in dark tresses
over her white shoulders; her jewell
ed hands are clasped, her white face
upraised, the dark eyes full of tears,
bitter, heart burning tears such as a
many woman never sheds. 1t is
strange that such a proud, naughty.
worldly woman should pray, and yet
M cdoes, and the midnight moon looks
down as if in silent pity. What is
wealth and station to her who knows
no sympathy, no love, and has lost her
faith in man? What to her the admi.
ration ofthc multitude, when he who
! promised to love aud cherish her law
shes his smiles upon wanton, spends
the hours he should be at her side at
the gambling table, and the drinking
saloon. he comes to her with no words
OF cndearmcnt, no smile of affection,
"A curse upon his lip. and lrowns upon
his brow. And yet the world whis-
pers " she married well! Her husband
is handsome and accomplished, and,
more than all, n millionaire; who
should dare soy Otherwisel What is
drinking, gambling, iniidelity and lib
ertineism in the one scale. while uealM
overbalances it in the otherl What is
it, we ask, and large portion OF tho
Christian world would say-"noth-
mg."
Yes. she married ueW She wed a
marble mansion, broad lands, and
surfeit of that yellow dust called gold,
before the world. and she married in
the sight of Heaven and her own
heart, monster, a base libertine, a
drunkard and gambler. Did shel an
swer oh ye lovers Of wealth and sta.
ton, did she marry well!
And all this for lifetime; that
welded wealth may pass into other
hands, what will be left her ,henl No
true-hearted husband TO shield her
with his strong arm, to labor for her
support, or to die for her honor: moth.
ing but that incubus, that leadcn
weight upon her heart, that VAMPIRE
which death alone can separate 6sr
from. Heaven pity God be nsrei'HH
il this is to marry welF 80