The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-09-15
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THE BRIDAL
W 6 5T - 6 % q e !.

"PIedge me with wiue-pledge me with wine, ;
cried the young and thoughtless Harvey Wood
and 'pledge me with wine, ran through the
brilliant assemblage.
The beautiful bride grew pae-tbe decisive
/ hour had come. She pressed her white hands
together, and the leaves of the bridal wreath
trembled on her pale brow; her breath came
quicker, her heart beat wilder
Yes, Marian, lay aside your scruples for this
once" said the Judge, the company expect it.
Do not so seriously infringe upon the rules OF
etiquette in your own home act as you please ;
but in mine try for this once to please me-"
Every eye was turned toward the bridal pair
-Marian's principles were we'll known.
Harvey Of late had been convivalist and his
friends noticed change in his manners the diff
ference in his habits; and to- night they watched,
as they sneeringly said to see if he was tied
down to woman'S opinions so soon. Pour
ing trimming beaker, they held it with tempt
ing smiles toward Marian. She was very pale,
though composed, and her hand shook not, as
smiling, she gracefully accepted the crystal
tempter and raised it to her lips but scarcely
had she done so, when every hand was arrested
by her piercing exclamation
cob! how terrible "
f" What is it 2" cried one and all, throngng
together, for she had slowly raised the glass at
arms length, and was fxedly regarding it as if
it contained some hideous object
Wait, (" she answered, while an inspired light
shone from her dark eyes, and added as She
slowly pointed one jewelled finger at the spark
ling liquid, (" a sight which beggars all descrip-
tion-yet listen-I will paintit for YOU It is a
lonely spot; tall mountains crowned with ver-
dure rise in awful snbmity around river runs
through and bright flowers grow upon the wa
ter's edge There is thick warm mist that the
sun seeks to pierce in vain Trees lofty and
beautiful, wave with airy motions to the winds
But there is a group of Indians together; they
fit to and fro with something like sorrow on
their brows in their midst lies o manly form,
but his cheeks are deadly, his eyes are wild with
the fierce fire of fever. One friend stands be-
side him; nay, | should say, kneels; for see
he is pillowing his poor head upon his breast.
Genius in ruins 0 that high and holy
looking brow Why should Death mark it
and he SO young Look, how he throws back
the damp curls! See him clasp his hands i
Hear his thrilling shrek for life Mark how he
clutches at the form Of his companion imporing
to be saved ! o. hear him call piteously his
fathers name See him Irvine his fingers to-
gether as he shriekS for his sster-his only sis
distant native land
See!" she exclaimed, while the bridal party
shrank back, the untasted wine trembling Ia
their grasp and the judge fell overpowered upon
his seat see his arms are lifted to heaven
be prays, oh how wildly for mercy Hot fe-
yer rushes through his veins The friend be-
side him sweeping and awe stricken The dark
men move silently away and leave the dying and
living together ~
There was hush in the princely party, bro
ken only by a smothered sob from some manly
bosom. The bride stood upright, with the tears
stealing to the outward edge of her lashes. Her
beautiful arm had lost its tension, and the glass,
with its little red waves, came slowly towards
the range of her vision. She spoke again; her
voice was low and faint, yet awfully distinct,
She still fixed her sorrowing glance upon the
sparkling wine cup
. 1t is evening now," continued the BRIDE
I" The great white moon is coming up and her
beams lay gently on his forehead He moves
not; his eyes are set in their sockets The
friend whispers the name of father and sister
death is there Death-and no soft hand, no
gentle voice to soothe and bless him. See his
head sinks back-ope convulsiye shudder-he is
dead y
A groan ran through the 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
ering faster and faster, and her voice more bro
ken, and there they scoop him grave; and
there, without shroud they lay him down in
that damp, reeking earth The only son Of a
proud father, and the idolized brother Of a fond
sister, sleeps to-day in that distant country with
no stone to mark the spot There he lies my
fathers own sonny own twin brother, victim
to this deadly poison Father" she exclaimed,
turning suddenly, while the tears rained down
her beautiful cheeks, " Father, shall | drink it
now ~
The form Of the Judge was convulsed with.
agony; he raised his head and in a snothered
voice, faltered:
No, my child, in Gods name, no ~
She lifted the glittering goblet, and letting it
fall lit was dashed into thousand pieces. Many