The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1868-05-07
THE BLACKSMITH OF ANTWERP.
Or the Reward of Genius.

| They we're seated in rich and shad,
arbor, over which the creeping vines wan
dered in every variety of curve suspendins
large clusters of precious fruits, while the
atmosphere was laden with the mellow
fragrance of the gorgeous plants which
grew In wild untutored luxurance abou,
the shadowy retreat. The fading light oi
day yet fingered and gave rosy hue tc
the face Of the maid who sat therein, as
she regarded with mournful tenderness
the youth seated at her side.
Nay, Quintin," said she, " say not so
it is feeling which actuates met is feel
ing which prompts me to say-it must not
be. Had [ not feeling for my father, do
you believe l would act contrary to my
twn dcsires-wculd cause you unhap-
piness ?"
Is this your love?" said ine other,
with a tone of fretfulness. Methinks it
cannot be very ardent fame when it is SO
easily extinguished by the pervorse and
obstinate tyranny of "a"
"Stay your words" interrupted she, as
she laid her delicate hand tenderly on his
lips. "You will respect the father if you
esteem the child"
The noble mind of the youth was struck
with the reproof, and although it was averse
to his desires, his flial obedience told of
so much pure and holy excellence, that he
instantly made reparation.
Forgive me dearest" he entreated !;
" l spoke hastily and unworthy of myself.
But your words have crazed my soul, which
builds its happiness on the possession of
you. If it may not be that | shall not be
your husband, oh promise me that no h
er shall ?"
q would fain do So" sighed the af1lict-
ed virgin. but if my father commands
can l disobey? / have had no mothers
care since childhood, but l have scarce
felt the loss; he has thrown by the cold
ness of man and been very woman in
affection for me. Shall l repay his kind
ness with ingratitude Alas +! Quintin. if
he tells me to love another, l cannot do
so; but if he bids me wed-Quintin, you
will not censure me ?"
The expiring rays Of the setting sun fell
on her features as she earnestly glanced
upon her lover.
"Ah," cried the youth with a sudden
start, as he struck his hand upon his brow,
"why that blush, that agitation De-
coive me not, Nellie, you are not supposing
case. This has already happened. see it
all. He has selected u bridegroom"
The maid sank her head upon his bo-
som, and through her struggling tears she
sobbed--
"Quintin, thou hast said it,"
Desperate was the conflict in the bosom
OF the youth as he sat like one in trance,
his eyes fixed on hers, which, like the sun
breaking through the clouds of the passing
storm, cleaned from under their dripping
lashes, and soon he saw the rainbow Of
hope.
"Who is ny rivaI?" he asked with a
voice scarce audible.
"Van Deg" she answered sorrowfully.
"Do you love him, Ncllie?"
"How can you ask 2"
"Will you marry him ?"
"My fathers happiness is dearer to he
than my own. Think you l would wan
tonly sacrifice it ?"
but why Van Deg?"
"Because he excels in my fathers ar" :"
"Alas !" cried the despairing lover,
'why had I not been painter !"
The bed of Quintu was one of thorns as
he threw himself on it and yielded to his
agony of thought.
How rain, yet how ardently had he
loved how industriously had he laborcd
to procure her attachment, and just when
he had achieved the victory over her con-
liding heart, ali that he had struggled for
was lost--no not lost--he could bear the
thoughts of her death, he could weep
over her grave, he could nurse the vege-
tation above it-but to think that the
prize must be torn from him to be givel
to another's embrace, there was madness
in it.
And then Van Deg, that rough, haugty,
distant man, how unworthy he to posstss
Jewel of such value, how unfit to nurture
such a tender plant, how unsuitable his
unsociaI spirit for the angel who needed
some congenial soul to insure her felici.
ty.
viii she not droop, wither, die in the
cold atmosphere about him ?" he asked
himself, when at length exhausted ma
ture yielded to WEAKNESS, and he iel
asleep.
The mind though yielded not to fatigue
of the body on the contrary, it seemed
more filled with lifei He imagined him
self in the street. The bells rang, the
people shouted, and gay equipage passed
by. 1t was day of public rejoicing, for
Nellie, the daughter of Algini, was to wee
Van Deg, the nations favorite, the cele
brated painter. People recounted the
scenes he had delineated, and lauded the
artist to the skies. All this grated on tn,
mi nd Of the dreamer, but he trembled, and
the cold perspiration gathered on his fore
head as the nuptial cavalcade approached
they halted at the chapel and the groom
conducted the bride, all pale and trembling
to the altar; he looked up the aisle, when
as the father was about giving his love
away, he rushed up and seized her; sh,
shrieke6 and fell dead in his embrace hel
relations and the priest all gazed in hor
..