St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-02-07
Tsnlptrantt.
THE SILVER CUP.

was decorated for banquet A thou
sand wax lights burned in its stately
rooms, making them bright as mid
day. Along the walls glowcd the
priceless tapestry of the Gobclines,
and beneath the foot lay the tapestry
of Persia. Rare vases, filed with
flowers, stood on the marble stands,
and their breath went up like incense
before the life-like pictures shining
in their golden frames above. In the
great hall stood immense tables, COW
cred with delicacies from all lands
and climcs. Upon the sideboard gilt
tered massive plate, and the rich glass
Of Murano. Music, now low and soft,
now bold and high, foatcd in through
the opened easement, and was an
swered at intervals by tones Of magic
sweetness
All was ready. The noble and gift
ed poured into the gorgeous saloons
Silks rustled, plumcs waved, and jew
clcd cmbroidcries flashed from Genoa
veivets. Courtly congratulations fell
from every lip, for the Duke de Montrc
had made a new step in the path to
power. Wit sparklcd, the laugh went
round, and his guests pledged him in
wine that hundred years had mel
lowed. Proudly the Duke replied /:
but his brow darkcned, and his cheek
palcd with passion, for his son sat
motionless before his untastcd cup.
Wherefore is this ?" he angrilv
demanded. "Whcn did my first born
learn TO insult his fathcr?"
The graceful STRIPPING sprang from
his seat, and knclt mcckly before his
parent. His sunny curles fell back
from his upturned face, and his youth
full countcnancc was radiant with a
brave aud generous spirit
Father said he, Il last light
learned lesson that sunk into my
heart Let me repeat it, and then at
thy command, | will drain the cup.
saw laborer stand at the door of a
gay shop. He held in his hand the
earnings of a week, and his wife, with
sickly babe and two furnishing lit
tic ones, clung to his garments, and
! bcsought him not to enter. He tore
himself away, for his passion was
strong, and. but for the care of q
stranger, his family would have per.
/ ishcd
I'VE went on, and, father, citizcr
of noble air and majestic form descend
cd the wide steps OF his fine mansion
His wife put back the curtains, ant
watched him eagerly and wishfully
as he rode away She was very, yer,
lovely, faircr than any lady of tn,
court, but the shadow of q sad hear
was fast falling on her beauty. W,
saw her gaze around and then clas,
her hands in the wild agony of des
pair. When We returned, her hus
band lay helpless on couch, and sh'
sat weeping beside him.
Once more we paused. A car
riagc stood before palace. 1t wa
rich with FURNISHED gold, and the al
mortal bearings of Duke were visi
BILE in the mooubcams We waite,
for its owner to alight, but he did no
move, and he gave no orders; soon tn
servants came crowding out sorrow
fully they lifted him in their arms, an
| saw that some Of the jewels wer
torn from his mantle, and his plume
cap was crushed and soiled, as if b
the pressure Of many footsteps. The
bore him into the palace, and | wo,
dered if his duchess wept like til
beautiful wife of the citizen.
"As looked on all this, my tuto
told me that it was the work Of tn
, red wine, which leaps gayly up, an
/ laughs over its victims in demon me
, riment. shuddered, father. and IT
solved never again to taste it, lest
too, should fall. But your word
: law to me. Shall drain the cup?"
NO, my son, touch it not 1t
poison, as thy tutor told thee. 1t fire
; the brain, wcakens the intellect, dc
troys the soul. Put it away fro
0 thee, and so thou shalt grow up wi:
+ and good, blessing to thyself and
i thy country"
He glanced around the circle. Su
prise and admiration were on ever
face, and, moved by the same impul:
e all arose, while one of their numb'
j. spoke !:
G Thou hast done nobly, boy" !
= said. and thy rebuke shall not SOC
' be forgotten. We have congratul
p ted thy father upon the acquisition
II honors which may pass with the pa
g sing season. We now congratula
!. him upon that best Of all possession
. son worthy Of France, aud of hii
y self"
II The naughty courtiers bowed
}. glowing assent, and each claspcd Il