Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-12-22
TEE BRIDAL WINE CUP,
A TRUE SCENE.

''Pledge with wine-plcdge with wine, :"
cried tie young and thonghtless Harvey
| Wood pledge with wine, ran through tie
brilliant crowd.
The beautiful bride grew pale--the decis-
i've hour had come. She pressed her white
hands together and The leaves of her bridal
wreath trembled Gu her pure brow and her
breath came quicker, and her heart beat
wilder.
Yes, Marion, lay aside your scruples for
this once" said the Judge, III a low tone, 60
ing towards his daughter, & the company ex-
pect it. Do not 50 seriously infringe upon
the rules Of etiquette; i'll your own house
act as you please; but in mine, for this once
please nle."
Every eye was turned toward the bridal
pair. Marion's principles were well known.
Henry had been a convivialist, but of late
his friends noticed the change in his manners,
the difference in his habits-and tonight
they watched him to see, as they sneeringly
said, if he was tied down to a woman's opin-
ion so soon.
Pouring trimming beaEer, they held it
was very pale, though more composed, and
her hand shook not. as smiling back, she
gratefully accepted the crystal temper and
raised to her lips. But scarcely had she
done so, when every hand was arrested by
her piercing exclamation Of "Oh! how ter
riblc p
"What is it," cried one and all, throng-
ing together, for she had slowly carried the
glass at arms length, and was 6xedly re-
garding it as though it were some hideous
object
Wait she answered, while an inspired
light shone from her dark eyes, :. wait, and
| viii tell You. I see," she added slowly,
pointing one jeweled finger at the sparkling
ruby liquid, ga sight that beggars all de-
scription; and yet listen I will paint it for
you if I can. 1t is a lonely spot; tall noun
tains, crowned with verdure, rise in awful
sublimity around river runs through, and
bright flowers grow to the waters edge
There is thick warm mist that the sun
seeks vainly to pierce; trees, lofty and beau
tiful, wave to the airy motion Of the birds /:
but there group Of Indians gather; they fit
to and fro with something like sorrow upon
their dark brows; and in their midst lies a
manly form, but his cheek, how deathly his
eyes wild with the fitful fire of fever. One
friend stands beside him, nay, should say
kneels; for be is piilowing that poor head
upon his breast.
Genius in ruins Oh. the high, holy
looking brow Why should death mark it,
and he SO young! Look how he throws the
damp curls !! see him clasp his hands hear
his thrilling shrieks for life ! mark how he
clutches at the form Of his companion, i'm
ploring to be saved. Oh! hear him call pit
eously his fathers name see him Irvine his
fingers together as be shrieks for his sister
his only sister-the twin of his soul-weep-
ing for him in his distant native land
Seen' she exclaimed, while the bridal
party shrank back, the untasted wine trem-
bling in their faltering grasp, and the Judge
fell, overpowered, upon his scat, see! his
arms are lifted to heaven; he prays, how
wildly, for mercy hot fever rushes through
his veins. The friend beside him is weeping:
awe-stricken, the dark men move silently
away, and leave the living and dying to-
gether.''
There was hush in that princely parlor,
broken only by what seemed smothered sob
from some manly bosom. The bride stood
yet upright, with quivering lips, and tears
stealing to the outward edge Of her lashes-
Her beautiful arm had lost it's tension, and
the glass, with it's little red waves, came
slowly towards the range Of her vision. She
spoke again every lip was mute Her
voice was low, faint, yet awful distinct she
still fixed her sorrowful glance upon the wine
cup.
It is evening now; the great white moon
is coming up, and her beams lay gently on
his forehead. He moves not; his eyes are
set in their sockets; dim are their piercing
glances; in vain his friend whispers the
name Of father and sister-death is there
Death and no soft hand; no gentle voice to
bless and soothe him. His head sinks back !!
one convulsive shudder he is dead p
A groan ran through the assembly, so viv
id was her description, SO unearthly her look,
SO inspired her manner, that what bhe de-