Middletown transcript., 1874-07-18
The Silver Cup.

The palace Of the Duke de Montre was
decorated for banquet. A thousand wax
lights burned in his stately rooms, making
them bright as midday. Along the
walls glowed the priceless tapestry of the
Globe-lines, and beneath the foot lay the
fabrics of Persia. Rare vases, filled with
flowers, stood on the marble stands, and
their breath went up like incense before
the lifc-like pictures shining in their gol-
den frames above. In the great hall
stood immense tables covered with delica-
cies from all lands and cimes. Upon the
side board glittered massive plate, and the
rich glass of Murano Music, now low
and soft, now bold and high, foated in
through the open easement, and was
answered at intervals by tones of magic
sweetness.
All was ready. The noble and gifted
poured into the gorgeous saloons, Silks
rustled, plumes waved, and jeweled en-
broideries flashed from Genoa velvets.-
Courtly congratulations fell from every
lip, for the Duke dc Montre had made a
new step in the path to power, Wit
sparklcd, the laugh went round, and his
guests pledged him in wine that hun
dred years had melowed. Proudly the
duke replied ; but his brow darkcned, and
his cheek paled with passion, for his son
sat motionless before his untasted cup.
I" Wherefore is this 2" he augrily de-
manded. " When did my frst-bort learn
to insult his father :? "
The graceful STRIPPING sprang from his
| l., L.fa
His sunny ours fell back from his up
turned face, and his youthful countenance
was radiant with a brave and generous
spirit.
-" Father" he said, :" last nj ght learn
ed lesson that sunk into my heart. Let
me repeat it and then at thy command, !
will drain the cup, l saw laborer stand
at tho door of a gay shop. He held in
his hands the earnings of weok, and his
wife, with sickly babe and two famished
little ones, clung to his garments and be-
sought him not to enter. He tore him
self away, for his thirst was strong, and i,
but for the care of a stranger, his family
would have persisted.
:" / went on, and, father, citizen of
noble air and majestic form descended the
wide steps of his fine mansion. His wife
put back the curtains, and watched him
eagerly and wistfully as he rode away. =
She was very, very lovely, fairer than any
lady of the court, but the shadow of a sad
heart was fast falling on her beauty.
saw her gaze around upon the desolate
splendor of her saloon, and then clash her
hands in the wild agony of despair =
When | returned her husband lay help
less on couch, and she sat weeping be-
side him
Once more l paused. A carriage
stood before palace. 1t was rich with
FURNISHED gold, and the armorial bearings
of a duke were visible in the moon-beams
t [ waited for its owner to alght, but he
did not move, and he gave no orders
Soon the servants came crowdng out
sorrowfully they lifted him in their arms,
and | saw that some of the jewels were
torn from his mantle, and his plumed CAP
was crushed and soled, as if by the pres
t sure of many footsteps. They bore hin
into the palace, and | wondered if hi.
t duchess wept like the beautiful wife @
: the citizen
GAS | looked on all this, my tutor tolf
| me it was the work of the red wine, whicl
S leaps gaily UP. and laughs over its victim.
in demon merriment. | shuddered, father
D and | resol,ed never again to taste it, les
G I, too, should fall. But your word is Law
t to me. Shall drain the cup?'
"No, lpy son, touch it not Itis poison
as thy tutor told thee. 1t fires the brain
wcakous the intellect, destroys the soul
q Put it away from thee, and so thou shal
y grow up wise and good, blessing to thy
a self and to thy country
n He glanced around the circle. Surpris
f and admiration were on every face, and
moved by the same impulse, all arose
: while one Of their number spoke.
Thou hast done nobly, boy" he said
land thy rebuke shall not soon be forgot
t ten We have congratulated thy fathe
# upon the acquisition of honors, which ma
a pass with the passing season. We no'
congratulate him upon that best of a
!, possessions, son worthy of France an
:. of himself"
r. The naughty courtiers bowed a CLOWN
n assent and each clasped the hand of tn
d boy. But the father took him to his heart
n and even now among the treasured relic
Of the family, is numbered that silver cur
is GREErINGs,-Therei is painful monol