The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-05-16
The Silver Cup.


decorated for banquet. A thousand
wax lights burned in its stately rooms.
making them as bright as midday
Along the walls glowed the priceless
tapestry Of the Gobelines. and beneath the
feet Law the fabrics 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 delcacies from all lands and
climes. Upon the sldeboard glitlered
massive plates, and the rich glass OF Mu.
rano. Music, now low and soft, now
bold and high, hoated 10 through the
open easement, and was answered at in.
tervals by tones Of magic sweetness. All
was ready. The noble and gifted poured
into the gorgeous saloons. Silks rustled,
plumes waved, and jeweled embroideries
flashed from Genoa velvets. CourtIy
congratulations fell from every lip, for
the Duke de Montre had made a step in
the path to power. Wit sparkled. the
laugh went round aud his guests pledged
him in wine that a hundred years had
melowed. Proudly the duke replied
but his brow darkened and his cheek
paled with passion, for his son sat mo-
lionless before his untasted cup.
Wherefore is this ?" he sngrily de-
msnded. "When did my first born learn
to insult his father 2"
The graceful tripling sprang from his
seat, and knelt meekly before his parent.
His sunny curls fell back from his up.
turned face, and his youthful countenance
was radiant with brave and generous
spirit.
"Falher," he said, 81 last night learned
lesson that sunk into my heart. Let
me repeat it. and then at thy command I
will drain The cup. saw laboret stand
at the door Of a gay shop. He held in
his hand the earnings Of week, and his
wife, with sickly babe and two furnishing
little ones, clung TO his garments and be-
sought him not to enter. He tore himself
away, for his thirst was strong, and, but
for the care OF stranger, his family would
have pershed.
1--WE went on, and, father, citizen Of
noble air and majestic form, descended the
wide steps OF his fine mansion. His vile
put back the curtains, and watched him
eagerly as he rode away. She was very,
very lovely, iairer than any lady Of the
court, but the shadow OF sad heart was
fast falling on her beauty. We saw her
gaze around upon the desolate spendor
Of her saloon, and then clasp her hands
in the agony Of despair. When we re-
turned her husband lay helpless on a
/. couch, and she sat weeping beside him
70 "Once more we paused. A carriage
Q stood before palace. 1t was rich with
y FURNISHED gold, and the armorial bearings
:, of duke we're visible 10 the moonbeams
We waited for its owner to alght. but h'
did not move, and he gave no orders.--
=. Soon the servants came crowding out
a sorrow(ully they lifted him in their arms
). and saw that some OF the jewels wer'
@ torn from his mantle, ard his plumed cal
# was crushed and soied, as il by the pres
t. sure of many footsteps. They bore hin
/ into the palace, and wondered il th'
o. duchess wept like the beautiful wife Q
"a the citizen. ... ..r-
,e "As looked on all this, my tutor tol
a me that it was the work Of the red wine
Is, which leaps galy up, and laughs over i,
pe victims in demon merriment. l shud
~ ~ dered, father, and resolved never sgai
m 90 to taste it, lest too should fall. b
ar your word is law to me. Shall l dra
a the cup ?" ... ...
Iy "No. my son, touch it not. II is poiso
", as thy tutor told thee. 1t fires :hs brail
en oa weakens the intellect, destroys the SOUL
a. a. Put it away from thee. and so thou sha
ir. grow up wise and good, blessing to thy
cd self and to thy country"
he He glanced around the circle. Su
prise and admiration were ON every fsc
e eu and, moved by the same impulse. ,
ii, arose, while one OF their number spoke.
ly "Thou hast done nobly, boy," he sal
* "and the rebuke shall not soon be forge
is ten. We have congratulated thy faith
3D. upon the acquisition OF honors which M
pass with the passing season. We nc
congratulate thy father upon the acqu
IKE ilion Of honors which may pass with t
io' passing season. We now congratul,
Is him upon that best Of ell possessions
ant son worthy Of France and OF himself"
49, The naughty courtiers bowed glo
'v' ing assent, aud each clasped the hand
zen the boy. But the father took him to
I'VE heart. and even now. among the tre'
ian urej relics Of the family,is numbered Il
s'h silver cup. ...... ........