The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-06-04
gG9l5sH5SS Stories.
ERIC AND ALMA.


The waterfall of Sarp rushes over the
steep cliffs and plunges into the depths be-
low, proclaiming in tones of thunder, its
might and majesty and challenging the ad-
miration of the world.
Many years ago there dwelt, on either
side of the falls, youth and g. maiden
both were fair and ofnoble birth, each was
an only child, and both were the idols of
their parents.
The falls was not the only barrier which
divided them bitter feud had existed
between their families for generations, and
although the time was now passed for
their hatred to break forth in open hos
tility, the fire smouIderd in their breasts,
and was continually famed by pride and
iealously. Both were wealthy and pow
erful. and each emulous of the other.
The youth and the maiden partook of
the enmity of their respective families,
bat in a milder degree, for each had a
lingering memory of having in early
childhood, played on the banks of the
Sarp Falls, gazing at each other across
the waters, throwing shells and fowels s
into the stream and mingling their laugh
ter as they saw them disappear IN the
white foam.
Fate seemed to have decreed that they
should never meet. for years rolled oR,and
they were as far apart as ever.
The name of the youth was Eric. He
was tall and strong; his hair was light, and
his eyes were blue; he was brave and har-
dy, and worthy descendant of bold
Viking. His nature was noble, and
he gave with a generous hand TO the
poor. He was beloved by all who knew
| him
The name of the maiden was Alma
| She, too, was greatly beloved. She was
merry and bright, and eyes and hair were
as black as the cliffs, which oftsn echoed
with her laughter. Her presence shed 9
brightness through the gloomy halls OF hel
fathers, and many guests came there at
tracted by her charms.
Her admirers were countless, but she
had no lover, for among her train of suit
ors, although some were of high rank anC
others OF vast estates, but no one coulC
awaken a response in her heart.
The fame of her wit and beauty reached
the ear of Eric, and he conceived an ar
dent desire to meet her, and ,notwithstand
ing the dislike with which he regarded he
family, and the danger to which hear
would be exposed, he determined to carr.
out his wish
Eric waited long and patiently for
favorable opportunity, but as none pre-
sented itself, he was about to resort t
some incautious means, when he was ask
ed to attend wedding to which most {
the honorable families of the neighborhoo
were invited,
He went with the hope of meeting Aim
and was not disappointed in seeing Ael
But alas the first glance of her black eye
was nearly fatal.
The proud youth, who had hitherto bee
almost insensible to female charms, Wa
su d emily enthralled. He did NJ
take part In the festivities, but stoo
watching the gay scene, vainlY endeavol
ing to preserve a naughty, unconcerne
air, lest his agitation should be pc
ceiyed, as he was the object of much e
tention.
/ But his cheeks would flush, and b
j lips tremble, when his eyes met those
Alma, who seemed likewise affected, f
the attraction was mutual. All that eve
ing they were in each others presence, b
neither spoke word, neither approacht
the other, and yet their eyes told vc
umes. The image of one was engrav,
l on the heart of the other, never to
erased.
The marriage festival ended, and El
. and Alma returned to their homes wi
heart and brain in commotion. Til
passed, but it had no power to stihe t
tender sentiment which had so sudden
sprung up in their hearts.
ID One day, while Eric wandered in t
forest not far from the home of Alma,
ear was arrested by the strains of mel
song. There was something in the to
of the voice that fascinated him, and
paused to listen.