Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-05-05
Tie Leisure Hou1>.
THE BRED.fL uyr.NB-CUE'.


State of New York the deacon of certain
Christian church, who was noted for his
liberal qualities, who was in the habit oi
giving large wine suppers among his broth
orhood of the church, and as ageneral thing
the guests would return home rather more
than slightly inobriated or rather more
intoxicated than they would have been il
they had staid nt home and enjoyed the
pleasure of their own families, and saved
themselves the trouble of carrying the big
head upon their own shoulders on the fol-
lowing day, as was the case. The scene
which l wish TO represent was one of a
similar kind.
Upon Christmas day of '5l-it was the
marriage of the only daughter OF the dea-
cont was night of joy and glec. After
the marriage had been performed, the bot
ties of wine had been brought forth all
present filled their goblets full ofthe poison
ous nectar, except one who stood like a
marble statue. 1t was the brides while
the words were spoken from one of the
crowd, "Pledgc with wino." "Piedge with
wine," cried the young and thoughtless
harvey w bou ltuEt Win WIN, Iuil
through the crowd.
The beautiful bride grew pale the dec-
sivo hour had come. She pressed her white
hands together, and the leaves of her bridal
wreath trembled on her pure brow; her
breath came quicker, and her heart beat
wilder. "Yos, Marion, lay aside your
scruplcs for this once" said the deacon, in
low tone, going toward his daughter; ''the
company expect it do not so infringe upon
the rules of etiquette; in your own home
act as you please, but in mine for this
once, please me-"
Every eye was turned toward the bride,
for Marion's principles we're well known.
Henry had been convivialist, but of late
his friends had noticed the change in his
manners-tho difference of his habits-and
tonight they watched to see as they sneer-
ingly said, if he was tied down to wo-
mans opinion so soon.
Pouring brimming goblet, they held ii
with tempting smiles toward Marion. She
was very pale, though more composed, and
her hand shook not, as, smiling back, she
gracefully accepted the crystal tcmpter and
raised il to her lips. But scarcely had she
done so when every one was attracted by
her piercing exclamation of "Oh, how ter.
riblew
"What is it?" cried one and all, throng
ing together, for she had carried the glass
to her arms length, and was fixedly re-
garding it as though it was some hideous
object.
"What?" she answered, while an in
spired light shone from her eyes "wait
and l will toll you. I see," she added
slowly raising one of her fingers at thu
sparkling liquid, "a sight that beggars al
description; and yet, listen-I will paint il
for you, if / can; it is lovely spot; tai
mountains, crowded with verdurc, rise il
awful sublimity around; river run'
through, and bright flowers grow TO tn,
waters edge. There is thick, warm mist
that the sun seeks vainly to pierce. Trees
| lofty and beautiful, wave to the motion o
| the breeze. But there n group of Indians
| fit to and fro with something like sor
row upon their dark brows, and in thei
midst lies manly form-but his darl
check, how deathly--his eyes wild will
| the fitful fire of fever. One friend stand
beside him, should say kneels, for see, h
is pillowing that poor head upon his breast
Genius in ruins on the high, holy-looliinl
| brow-why should death mark 1t, and h
so young! Look how he throws back tn
damp curls, See him clasp his hands
hear his shrelis for life; how he clutche
at tho form of his companion, implorng t
be saved! Oh, hear him call piteously hi
fathers name; see him twino his finger
together as he shrieks for his sister-hi
only sister, the twin Of his soul-weepinl
for him in his distant native land See!
she exclaimed, while the bridal part
shrank back, the untasted wine tromblin
in their grasp, and the deacon fell oven
powered into his soat-"see, his arms ar
lifted to heaven he prays, how wildly, ic
mercy. But fever rushes through hi
veins. The friend beside him is weeping
Awe-strickon, the dark men move silent
away, and leave the living and the dyin
together"
There was q hush in that princoly parlo
broken only by what seemed smothere
sob from some manly bosom. The brld
stood yet upright, with quivering lip, an
tears streaming into the outward edge
her lashes. Her beautiful arm had lost i
extension, and the glass, with its ltt
troubled waves, came slowly toward Il
range of her vision. She spoke again
every lip was mute; her voice was loN
faint, yet awully distinct, She still fixC
her sorrowiul glance upon the wine-cup.
at is evening now; the great whi
moon is coming up, and her beams ia
gently on his forehead. He moves no
his eyes are out of their sockets dim a
the piercing glances. In vain his frien
whispers the name of father and sister;
soft hand and no gentle voice bless al
, sootho him. His head sinks back ol
: conyulsive shudder-he is dead"
A groan ran through the assembly
vivid was her description, so unoarthly h
look, so inspired her manner, that VIII
she described seemed actually to ha'
taken place then and thore, They notice
Also that tho bridegroom had hidden L
faco and was weeping,
"DcadW she repeated again, her Ii
quivoring faster, and her voice moro bro