Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-01-31
The silver Cup.

| 1he palace OF Duke de montre was dec
GRATED for banquet. A thousand wax
lights burned in its stately rooms, making
them bright as midday. Along the walls
glowed the priceless tapestry of Gobelines,
and beneath the foot lay the fabrics of a
Persia. Rare vases, filled with flowers,
stood on the marble stands, and their
breath went up like incense before the life
like pictures sLiningsln their golden frames
above. In the great hall stood immense
tables covered with delicacies from all
lands and climes. Upon the sideboard
glittered massive plate and the rich glass
of Mulano. Music, now low and soft, now
bold and high, foated in through the open
easement, and was answered by magic sweet
ness.
All was ready. The noble and gifted
poured into the gorgeous saloons. Silks
rustled plumes waved, and jeweled en-
broideries flashed from Genoa velvets.-
Courtly congratulations fell from every lip,
for the Duke de Montre bad made new
steps in the path to power. Wit sparkled,
the laugh went round, and his guests pledg-
ed him in wine that hundred years had
mellowed' Proudly the Duke replied; but
his brow darkened, and his cheek paled
with passion, for his son sat motionless be-
fore his untasted cup.
Wherefore is this!' he angriy deman-
ded. "When did my first born learn to in
suit his father?"
The graceful STRIPPING sprarg from bis
seat, and knelt meekly before his parent.
His sunny curls fell back from his upturD-
ed face, and his youthful countenance was
radiant with brave and generous spirit.
"Fatber," he said, 81 last night learned
lesson that sunk deep into my heart.
Let me repeat it, and then at thy command
| will drain the cup. saw a laborer
stand at the door of gay shop. He held
in his hand the earnings of a week, and
his wife, with sicily babe and two famish-
ing little ones, clung to his garments, and
besought him not to enter. He tore him
self away, for his thirst was strong, and
but for the care of stranger, his family
would have perished.
II went Oh, and, father, citizen of no.
Bile air and majestic form descended the
wide steps of his fine mansion. His wife
put back the curtain, and watched him ca
gerly as he rode away. She was very
very lovely, fairer than any lady in the
court, but the shadow of sad heart was
fast falling on her. beauty. We saw her
gaze around upon the desolate splendor Of
her saloon, and then clasp her hands in
the wild agony of despair. When we re-
turned, her husband lay helpless on couch,
and she sat weeping beside him.
"Once more We paused. A carriage
stood before palace. II was rich with
Furnished gold, and the armorials bearings
of Duke were visible in the moonbeams.
We waited for its owner to alight, but he
did not move, and he gave no orders
Soon the servants came crowding out; sor-
rowfully they lifted him in their arms, and
l saw that some of the jewels were torn
from his mantle, and his plumed cap was
crushed and soiled, as if by the pressure
of many footsteps. They bore him into
the palace, and wondered if his Duchess
wept like the beautiful wife of the citizen
As looked on all this, my tutor told
me it was the work of the red wine, which
leaps gaily up, and laughs over its victims,
in demon merriment. / shuddered, faith
er, and resolved never again to taste it,
lest l, too, should, fall. But your word is
law to me. Shall drain the cup?'
"No, my son, touch it not. 1t is poison,
as thy tutor told thee. 1t fires the brain,
weakens the intellect, destroys the soul.
Put it away from thee and thou shalt
grow up wise and good, blessing to thy
self and to thy country"
He glanced around the circle. Surprise
and admiration were on every face, and,
moved by the same impulse, all arose, while
one of their number spoke:
"Thou hast done nobly, boy, he said,
and thy rebuke shall not be soon forgotten.
We have congratulated thy father upon
the acquisition of honors, which may pass
with passing season. We now congratu-
late him upon that best of all possessions,
a son worth of France and of himself"
The naughty courtiers bowed a glowing
assent and each clasped the hand of the
boy. But the father took him to his heart,
and even now, among the treasured relics
of the family is numbered that silver cup.