Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-05-08
THE SILVER cUP.

THE SILVER CUP, 1
The palace of the Duke de Montr,
| was decorated for a banquet. A thou
sand wax lights burned in its stately
rooms, making them as bright as mid
day. Along the walls glowed th,
priceless tapestry Of the Gobelines, and
beneath the foo: lsy the fabrics Of Per
sia. Rare vases, filed with flowers
stood on the marble stands, and theil
breath went up like incense before ths
lifeIike pictures shining in their colder
frames above. In the great hail stood
immense tables, covered with delicacies
from all lands and clines. Upon, the
sideboard glittered massive plate, and
The rich glass Of Murano. Music. now
~ and soft, now bold and high, float
"a 10 through zhs. openszcassment. and
was answered at intervals by tones oil
magic sweetness. AL was ready
The noble and gifted poured into the
gorgeous saloons. Silks rustled, plumes
waved, and jeweled embroideries fash
ed from Genoa Yelvets. Courtly con-
gratulations fell from every lip. for the
Duke de Montre had made step in
the path to power. Wit sparkled. the
laugh went round, and bis guests
pledged him in wine that q hundred
years had mellowed. Proudly the duke
replied; but his brow dsrkened and his
cheek paled with passion, and his son
sat motionless before his untasted cup.
"Wherefore is this2" he angrily de-
manded. when did my frst-born
learn to insult his father?"
The graceful STRIPPING sprang from
his seat, and knelt meekly before his
parent. His sunny curls fell back from
his upturned face, and his youthful
countenance was radiant with brave
and generous spirit.
Father" said he, II last night
learned a lesson that sunk into my
heart. Let me repeat it, and then at
thy command will drain the cup. l
saw laborer stand at the door Of a
gay shop. He held in his hand the
earnings Of week. and his wife with a
sickly babe and two famishing little
ones, clung to his garments and be-
sought him not to enter. He tore him.
self away, for his thirst was strong.
and but for the care Of stranger, his
family wonld have perished.
1--WE went on, and father, a citizen oi
noble air and majestic form descended
the wide steps of his fine mansion
His wife put back the curtains, and
watched him eagerly as he. rode away
She wss very, very lovely, fairer thar
any lady Of this court, but the shadow
OF a sad heart was fast falling on hel
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 returned hel
husband lay helpless on a couch, and
she sat weeping beside him.
"Once more we paused. A carriage
stood before palace. 1t was rich with
FURNISHED gold. and the srmorial bear
ings of duke were visible in the
moonbeams. We waited for its owner
to alight, but be did not move, and he
gave no orders. Soon the servant:
came crowding out; sorrowfully they
lifted him in their arms, and l saw thai
some Of the jewels were torn from his
mantle, and his plumed cap was crushes
and soiIed, as if by the pressure o.
many footsteps. They bore him into
the palace, and l wondered if the
duchess wept like the beautiful wife o.
the citizen.
"As l looked on all this, my tutor
told me that it was the work of the
red wine, which leaps gayly up, ant
laughs over its victims in demon merrl
ment. | shuddered, father, and re-
solved never again to taste it, lest / toe
should fall But your word is law tC
me. Shall drain the cup?"
"No, my son, touch it not. II il
poison, as thy tutor told thees II 6re'
the brain, weakens the intellect, anC
destroys the soul Put t away from
thee, and so thou shalt grow up wise
and good. blessing to thyself and tC
thy country" -
He glanced around the circle. Sur
prise and admiration we're on every
face, and moved by the same impulse
all arose, while one Of their number
spoke.
"Thou hast done nobly, boy" h'
said, "and the rebuke shall not soon bt
forgotten. We have congratulated thy
father, upon the acquisition of bonor'
which may pass with the passing season
We now congratulate him upon tina
best of all possession, a son worthy o
France and of bimself"
The naughty courtier showed a glow
ing absent, and each clssped the hant
of the boy. But the father took hin
to bis heart, and even now, among th'
treasured relics Of the family is mum
bered that silver cup. 81
REBEL DEsPAIR.-The following i
an extract from letter found by one o
| - .oll.a.z altar the capture OF Fer