Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-05-20
0blo Statesnan,
THE BLACKSMITH OF ANTWERP
THE REWARD OF GENIUS.

They were seated in rich and shady
arhor, over which the creeping vines
wandered in every variety of curve,
suspending large clusters of precious
fruits, while the atmosphere was laden
with the mellow fragrance of the gor-
geous plants which grew in wild, un-
tutored luxuriance about the shadowy
retreat. The fading light of day yet
fingered, and gave rosy hue to the face
of the maid who sat therein, as she re-
garded with mournful tenderness the
youth seated at her side.
"Nay, Quintin," said she, "say not so;
it is feeling which actuates met is
feeling which prompts me to say-itmust
not be- Had not feeling for my faith
er, do you believe 1 would act contrary
to my own desires-would cause you
unhappiness 2"
.'Is this your love?" said the other,
with tone of fretfulness. "Methinks
it cannot be very ardent fame when it
is so easily extinguished by the perverse
and obstinate tyranny of "a"
"Stay your Words" interrupted she,
as she laid her delicate hands tenderly
on his lips. "iYou will respect the faith
er if you esteem his child"
The noble mind of the youth was
struck with the reproof, and although it
was averse to his desires, her filial obe-
dience told of so much pure and holy
excellence, that he instantly made repair
alton.
"Forgive me, dearest" he entreated
al spoke hastily and unworthy of my
SELF But your words have crazed my
soul, which builds its happiness on the
possession of you. 1t may not be that
shall be your husband, oh promise me
that no other shallF'
81 would fain do so," sighed the afflict
ed virgin, "but if my father commands
can l disobey? 1 have had no mothers
care since childhood, but / have scarce
felt the loss; he has thrown by the cold
in his affection for me. Shall l repay
his kindness with ingratitudel Alas!
Quintin, if he tells me to love another
l cannot do so; but if he bids me we'd
Quintin, you would 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 sudden
start, as he struck his hand upon his
brow, "why that blush, that agitation
Deceive me not, Eliza, you are not sup
posing case This has already hap.
pened. see it all. He has selected a
bridegroom
The maid sank her head upon his
bosom, and through her struggling tears
she sobbed-
"Quintin, thou hast said it."
Desperate was the conflict in the bosom
of the youth as he satlike one in trance
his eyes fixed on hers, which, like the
sun breaking through the clouds of the
passing storm, cleaned from under theiI
dripping lashes, and soon he saw the
rainbow of hope.
"Who is my rival?" he asked with a
voice scarcely audible.
"Van Deg she anwered sorrowfully
"Do you love him, Eliza2"
"How can you askF'
"Will you marry him?"
"My fathers happiness is dearer tc
me than my own. Think you 1 would
wantonly sacrifice it?'
"But why Van Deg2"
because he excels in my fathers
art"
"Alas!'' cried the despairing lover
"why had I not been a painter"
The bed of Quintin was one ofthorns
as he threw himself on it and yielded tt
his agony of thought.
How vain, yet how ardently had h
loved; how industriously mad he laboret
TO procure her attachment land just whel
he had achieved the victory over he
confding heart all that he had struggled
for was lost-no, not lost-he coult
bear the thoughts of her death, he coult
weep over her grave, he could nurse tn
vegetation above it-he could-but t.
think that the prize must be torn from
him to be given to another's embrace
there was madness in it.
And then Van Deg. that rough
naughty, distant man, how unworthy h,
to posses jewel of such value, how un
fit to nurture such tender plant, how un
suitable his unsocial spirit for the an
gel who needed some congenial soul t
insure her felicity.
"Will she not droop, wither, die in tn
cold atmosphere about him?" he aske
himself, when at length tired natur
yielded to WEAKNESS and he fell asleer
The mind, though, yielded not to tn
fatigue of the body; on the contrary
seemed more filled with life. He imag
ined himself in the street. The bell
rang, the people shouted, and gay equip
ages passed by. 1t was day of publ
! rejoicing, for Eliza the daughter of A
gini, was to wed Van Deg, the nation
favorite, the celebrated painter. Peopl
recounted the scenes he had de.ineateG
i and lauded the artist to the skies. ALT thi
: grated on the mind of the dreamer, bu
! he trembled, and the cold perspiratio
/ gathered on his forehead as the nuptis
cavalcade approached; they halted a
the chapel, and the groom conducted tn
bride all pale and trembling. to the al
ter he looked up the aisle, when, a
the father was about giving his lov
away, he rushed up and seized her; sh
/ sbrieked and fell dead in his embrace
| her relations and the priest all gazed i
I, horror; he raised his eyes, and saw tn
/ misery in their countenances, and as hi
! face fell upon the bosom of his Lowell
| burden, he expired, and at that momer
/ awoke. Still the forms were before hi
/, eyes fresh in his recollection as if he ha
beheld the awful scene by the noonda
! sun. Impelled by an unaccountable in
f; pulse, he arose and lighted his lamp, an
] taking coal from the extinguished en-
bers in his chimney he commenced til
I nortraiture of the oroun unon tho 1yoJl