Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-01-21
CHAPTER FIRST.

and the clear cerulean OF tho heavens
cave place near the setting sun, to a glow
me saffron Color over which was hung
a most. magnificent drapery Of crimson
clouds. Farther towards both the north
aud south, was suspended here and there
= sable curtain fringed with gold, folded
rs bu, one hand could fold them. They
seemed fitting drapery To ahroud the feet
Of Him who "rIdotb upon the wings of
The wind"
Such was the evening on which Ed
ward Cunningham conducted bis fair
bride into the mansion prepared for her
reception. Bat had both earth and hea-
ven been decked with ten field sp!endor,
their beauty and magnificence would have
heon lost Oh him; for his thoughts, his
Elections. his whole being we're centered
in he graceful creature that leaned on
his arm, aud whom he again wslcombed
70 his now abode-her future bone
He forgot that he still moved in world
that was grooming under the pressure OF
unnumbered evils; forgot that earthly
ioy is oft times but dream, q fantasy,
that ranishes ike the shadow of sum-
mer cloud that fits across the landscape,
Or. as The morning yapor before the RI
suc sun; forgot that all on this side
heaven is fleeing, and changeab'e, and
false. In his bride, the object OF his
tonde8t love, he felt that he possessed a
treasure whose smile would be uDclouded
sunshine to his soul; whose society wo'd
make another Eden bloom for him. 1t
was but SIX short months since he first
saw her who was now his wife; and for
ueaalY that entire period he had been in
q delirium of love-" intent only on Sc
curing her as his own. lie bad attain
ed his object, and life seemed spread be-
taro him, a paradise of delight, bloom
ing with roses, unaccompanied by thorus.
Joy and sorrow, in CHS world, dwell
SIDE by side. In n stately mansion, two
doors only from the one that had just
received the joyful bridegroom and hap
Nv bride, dwelt one who had been four
weeks a wife. On the same bright eve
ming she was sitting in the solitude OF
her richly furnished chamber, her elbows
resting on q table, her hands supporting
her head, while a letter lay spread be-
fore her, on which her eyes, blinded BY
tears, were riyeted. The letter was from
her husband. He had been from home
ncary three weeks, in which time she
bad heard from lin but once, and then
only verbal message. The letter that
lay before her had just arrived; it was
the first she had ever received from heI
husband, and ran thus
Mrs Westbu"y. Thinking YOU might
possibly expect to see me ut home Til,
week, wiite to inform You that bust
ness VIII detain me in New York SON,
time Icnger. Yours, dc,
FRED'K WEsTBURY.
For long time The gentle, the feeling
Julia, INDUCED her tears and her grie
without restraint. Again aud again she
read the laconic epistle before her, to as.
certain what more might be mado Of il
than at first met the eve. But nothing
could be clothed i'll palmer language oil
more easily understood 1t was as briet
and as much to the point as those inter.
estu@ letters which debtors sometimes
receive from their creditors through the
=. eLcv ot an suorney. Lid eyci
1uuthiul bride" thought she, receive
from her husband such lette. rs this
lie strives 10 show n,e the complete in
difference and cuiInesS of t. heart TO-
ward nc. @, Why ID / accept hi.
hand, which was rather bis fathers uiltr
ing than his own Why did not lis
tcn to my reason, rather tLaa n fout and
foolish heart, and resis; the old man:
reasoning an.i pleading : Why did
believe him when he told me | should
win his sons affections Did | not
know that his heart was gwen to anoth-
or +; Dear Old man, he fondIy believed
his Frcierick's affections could not long
be withheld from one whom lie himself
loved SO tendery-and how eagerly
drank in his assurances Amid all the
sorrow that felt, while kneeing on his
dying bed, how did my heart swell with
undctinable pleasure, as he laid his hand
already chilled by death upon nv head,
gave me a parting Blessing, and said that
his son would love me.
Mistaken assurance all, why liI |
fondlY trust it We're | now free
would then have The knot united tina,
makes ne his for liz. Not for a world
ike this. Now be is mine and am his
by the laws of God and man, we arc one.
lie pust sometime be at home. and an
occasional hour in his society will be a
.deaper bliss than aught this world can
bestow beside. Hi fathers blessing is
still warm at my heart. | still feel bis
hand upon my head. Let me net as he
trusted l should act. and all may vet be
well. Duties are mine-and thine, hea-
venly Father, arc results: Overlook nv
intirmities, forgive MI that needs forgive.
ness, sustain my weakness, and guide me
by thins unerring wisdom" She fell on
her knees to continue her supplica tons.
and pour out her full soul before her
Father in heaven; and when she rose,
her heart, if not happy was calm; her
brow, if not cheerful, was serene.
Frederick Wostbury was an only child.
lie never enjoyed the advantages of ma
ternal instruction, impressed on tho heart