The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-09-01
THE BETRAYED,s CURSE.
A Legend of RushtOn Hall.

Of Rushton, with its quaint church and
picturesque graveyard. For many years
it was in possession Of the Tresham fam
lily, who lived at the Hall, situated in a
large and richly wooded park adjoining
the village.
The principal part of Rushton Hall
was built by Sir Thomas Tresham, the
father of Sir Francis Tresham, whose
narae was SO prominently mixed up with
the details Of the Gunpowder Plot.
! From the Treshams the estate passed
to the ancestors of the Cullen family ,aud
thus it was that Bryan, second Viscount
cullen, found himself tho Lord of Rush
ton Hall. He travelled much abroad,
spending considerable portion of his
time in Italy, where he had become en-
amored of beautiful and highly accom-.
jplished Italian lady. Charles II then
occupied the English throne, and Lord
Cullen had unfortunately imbibed some
of the licentiousness which characterized
j the court of the "Merry Monarch"
The attachment formed between him
and the fair Italian was soon broken, and
despite her tears and earnest supplica-
tiops, he left her for the purpose of re-
turning to England, where he was engag-
ed to be married to Elizabeth Trentham,
to whom he had been betrothed at the
age Of sixteen, Not word of this en-
gagement had he mentioned to the italian
lady, who deluded herself with the BE-
lief that she was Lord Cullen's first and
only love.
Arrived in England, Lord Cullen soon
forgot the passion which had occupied
his heart while in Italy, and if he did
retain lurking thought in favor of the
woman he had SO cruelty deceived, it was
speedily dissipated in the company Of
Elizabeth Trentham, whose beauty and
wit led him willing captive.
Days, weeks and months passed on. and
at last the time arrived when the nup-
tials of Lord Cullen and Elizabeth Tren-
than were to take place. Great were
the preparations, for the Viscount was no
niggard with his money, and determined
that the rejoicing should be almost on a
princely scale. From far and wide the
villagers and country folks came pour
ing hn; equipage after equipage drove
up from the seats of the neigbboring
nobility and gentry; while the village inn
was crowded with serving men and others
for whom there was no accommodation at
the Hall.
Very beautiful was the bride. Her
eyes sparkled more brilliantly than the
Diamonds which hung around her neck,
while the color of her lips eclipsed that
\ Of the rubies which adorned her zone.-
As she marched through the Hall, escor-
ted by the Vjscount-who, in his bridal
dress, looked the very beau ideal Of q
gallant aud chivalrous nobleman-a loud
buzz Of admiration arose from the as
sembly. Lord Cullen was indeed hap
py man, SO they thought.
A merry time the guests had of it.
Song followed song, and toast followed
toast, when suddenly there drove up to
the Hall dark colored carriage drawn
by black horses. The servants gazed in
astonishment at the strange equipage, nor
was their wonder lesscned when from the
carriage there issued the form of an Ital-
ian lady, dressed entirely in black, who,
without speaking word, marched toward
the room wherein sat the bridegroom and
bride in the midst of their friends.
i At the sight Of the stern, pale features
of the injured woman, Lady Cullen shrank
bank in fear and terror, while her hus-
band. with livid countenance and trem.
ling form, strove to avoid the searching
gaze which ne felt directed toward him
Not word did the strange apparition ut.
ter until she had reached the table where.
at sat Lord Cullen and his bride. Then
seizing the goblet from which they had
been drinking, she drank to their earthly
ruin and misery:
"I drink to your pledge, Lord Bryan, she said,
/ TO your bride so bonny and fair;
May destruction light on your perjured head,
May misery circle her death-bed,
And no kind friend be there"
| Back shrank the affrighted spectators,
as after casting bitter, withering look
at her betrayer, the strange lady passed
from the Hall, and, entering her carriage
drove off, never to be seen or heard of
again.
| There was no more merry making. A
deep and gloomy silence crept over the
place, and the frightened guests crept
stealthily away from the scene of the ter
rible curse, leaving the conscience -strick-
en- nobleman and his fainting bride alone
in the ancient Hall.
The news spread through the village,
and many we're the tales related oc the
almost supernatural appearance of the in
|jured Italian lady, at tho very moment
when Lord Cullen had forgotten her, and
the VOWS to which she had so trustfully
listened in her native land.
The curse was in great measure full
filled.
The marriage proved an unhappy one,
and the extravaganza of both led Lady
lCullen, Notwithstanding her enormous
fortune, to die in comparative penury at
Kettering.'
| In later times, Rushton Hall, with its
romantio park aud curious legend, passed
away from the possession of the Cullen
family into that Of Mr.. Hope the cele-
bratod banker. On the death of that
gentleman it sas purchased by the guar.
dian Of Miss Clara Thornhill, wealthy
Yorkshire heiress, who has since suc-
ceeded to the estate, and married Captain
IC. Clark Thornhill.
"Certainly, certainly" were the Hon.
ThaGdeus Stevens last words.