The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-02-17
The Bridal Wine-Cup.
A THRILLING SKETCH.

Pledge with wine-pledge" cried the
Young and tkoughtless Harvey Wood
pledge with wine," ran through the
crowd.
The beautiful bride grew pale-tbe de-
| cisive hour had come. She pressed her
white hands together, and the leaves Of the
bridal wreath trembled on her brow; her
breath became quicker, and her hear. beat
wilder
Yes, Marion, lay aside your scruples
for this once" said the judge, in low tone,
going towards his daughter; " the COM
panv expect it; do not seriously infringe
upon the rules of etiquette in your home,
act as YOU please, but in mine, for this
once, please me" Every eve was turned
upon the bridal pair. Marion's principles
were well known Henry had been con
siviaist, but of late his friends noticed the
change in his manners, tie difference in
his habits, and that night rhev watched to
see, as they sneelingly said. if he was tied
down by womsn's opinion so soon -
Pouring out brimming beaker, they held
it, with tempting smiles, toward Marion.
She was very pale, though more compo-
sei, and her hand shook not. as she
gracefully accepted the crystal tempter
and raised it to her lips. But scarcely
had she done SO, when every hand was ar
rested by her piercing exclamation Of
"Oh how horrible ~
"What is it' cried one and all, ,throng
ing together, for she slowly carried the
glass at arms length, and was fxedIv re
garding it as though it were some hideous
object.
"Wait," she answered. while an inspi
ring light shone from her dark eyes !;
wait, and | will tell you. see" she
slowly added. pointing one jeweed finger
at the sparkling liquid, "a sight that beg
ars all description, and yet, listen, | will
paint it for you if [ can. 1t is lonely
spot tall mountains, crowned with yer
dure, rise in awful sublimity around: a
river runs through. and bright flowers
grow to the waters edge. There is a
thick. warm mist, that the sun seeks in
vain to pierce. Trees. lofty and beauti
! fll wave to the airy motion of the birds ::
but there-a group of Indians gather :;
they fit to and fro with something like
sorrow on their dark brows: and in the
midst lies a manly form-but bis dark
cheeks grow deathIy, his eyes wild with
the fatal fire of fever One friend stands
beside hiln-nav, | should say kneeI>-
for see. he is pilowing that pool head on
his breast
Genius in ruins-oh the high, holy
/ looking brow, wnv should death mark 1t
And he is young Look, how he throws
back the curl> See him clasp his hands
Hear his thrilling shrieks for i;&2 Mark
how he clutches at the form of his com
panion, imploring to be saved. Oh hear
him call piteously his fathers name-see
him twine his fingers together as he
shrieks for his si-ter-his only sister. the
twin of his soui-weeping for him in his
distant naiue land.
"Seew she exclaimed, while the bridal
party shrank back the untas.ed wine
/ trembling in their grasp, and the Judge
| fell, overpowered, npon his seat; " see. his
arms are lifted to Heaven-he prays, how
wildly, for mercy but fever rushes through
his veins. The friend beside him is weep
ing; awe-stricken, the dark men move ST.
lentIy away, leaving the dea and dying
| together"
There was hush in that princeIy par
lor, broken only by what seemed sob
from some manly bosom. The bride stood
vet upright, with quiverng lip, and tears
stealing to the outward edge of her Iashes
Her beautiful arm had lost its extension,
and the glass, with its little troubled red
waves, came slowly toward the range Of
her vision. She spoke again; every lip
was mute. Her voice was faint and low,
vet awfully distinct She still fixed her
sorrowful glance upon the wine cup
at is evening now; the great white
moon is coming mp, and its beams lay
gently upon his forehead He moves not
his eyes are set IN their sockets-dim
are their piercing eiance-in vain his
friend whispers the name offather and SIS
ter-death and no soft hand, no gentle
voice to soothe him His head sinks
back! One convulsive -hudder--he is
dead -
A groan ran through the assembly; 50
/ NlNIu was HeF esCIIpLIpH, 80 uUedTIHlN
was 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 had hid
his face in his hands, and was weeping.
dead" she repeated again, her lips
auivering faster, and her voice more bro
ken land they scoop him a grave, and
there, without shroud. they lay him down
in the reekinf earth. TIE only son Of a
proud father, idolized brother of fond
sister and he sleeps to day in that distaut
country, with no stone to max the spot.
There he les-my fathers SONNY own
twin brother "a victim to this deadly
poison. "Fa her ~ she exclaimed, turn
ing suddenly, while the tears ran dos her
beautiful cheeks, father, shall drink
now 2"
The form Of the old Judge was convulsed
with agony. He raised not his head
but in smothered voice fal;ered "No
no. my child, in Gods name--now
She lifted the goblet and letting it fal
! uudd IL tr, Sba do>r (, va. 5sobaj -,