The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1874-04-17
@ cnperapre Readinp.
THE BRIDAL WINE CUP.

'iItu lilF NOlll-- lilt lIIOt8lllltSS IldTNtN
Wood; pledge with wine-' ran through
the bridal party.
The beautiful bride grew pale-the de
cisive hour had come. She pressed hel
white hands together. and the leaves oi
the bridal wreath trembled on her brow
her breath became quicker, and her heart
beat wilder.
Yes, Marian, lay aside your scruples
for this once" said the Judge. in a low
tone, going towards his daughter; 1.-THE
company expect it. Do not so seriously
infringe upon the rules of etiquette: in
your own home, do as you please: but
in mine, for this once, please me-
Every eye was turned towards the bri-
dal pair. Marian's principles were well
known. Henry had been a conviviaIist.
but of late his friends had Noticed the
change in his manners, the difference in
his habits-and tonight they watched
him to see, as they sneeringly said, if he
was tied down to Il wOman's opinion so
soon
Pouring brinming cup, they held it,
with tempting smiles towards Marian.
She was very pale, though more com
posed; and her hand shook not. as smi-
ling back, she gracefully accepted the
crystal teInpter, and raised it to her lips
But scarcely had she done so when every
hand was arrested by her piercing SYcIa-
nation of ''Oh, how terrible"
What is it, cried one and all, thrOng-
ing together. for she had slowly carried
the glass at arm : length. and was fiXedly
regarding it as though it were some hid
eous object
wait" she answered. while light,
which seemed inspired. shone from her
dark eyes; wait. and | will tell yOu |
see, " she added slowly, pointing at the
sparkling, ruby liquid-''a sight that
beggars all description: and yet listen, -
| will paint it for you if can. 1t is a
lovely spot; tall allmountains crowned with
verdure rise in awful sublilnity around ::
a river runs through. and bright flower 8
grow to the waters edge There is a
thick, warm mist that the sun seeks
vlinly to pierce. Trees. lofty and beau
tiful, wave to the airy motion of birds;
but there-a group of Indians gather;
they fit to and fro. with something like
sorrow upon their dark brows And in
their midst lies a manly form-but his
cheek how deathly, his eyes wild with
the titfUl fire of fever. One friend stands
beside him-nay. | should say kneels,
for see, he is pillOwing that poor head
upon his breast
Genius in ruins-oh. the high, holy
looking brow; why should death make
it, and he so young! Look, how he
throws back the damp curls! see him
clasp his hands. hear his thrilling shrieks
for Iifel mark how he clutches at the
form Of his companion, imploring TO be
saved. OH hear him call piteOusly his
fathers name; see him Irvine his fingers
together. as he shrieks for his sister-his
only sister-the twin of his soul-weep-
ing for him in IDS distant, native land.
''Seen shesexclaimed, while the bridal
party shranls back. the untasted wine
tremsiingin their faltering grasp. And
the Judge fell, everpowered, upon his
seat-''seei his arms are lifted to heaven
he prays, how wildly. Cor mercy! hot
fever rushes through his veins The
friend beside him is weeping; awe-strick
en-, the dark men mcve silently away,
and leave the living and the dying to-
gether"
There was a hush in that princely par
lor, broken only by what seemed a smoth-
cred sob from some manly bosom. The
bride stood yet upright, with quivering
lip, and tears stealing TO the outward
edge of her lashes Her beautiful arm
had lost its tension. and the glass, with
its 1.-THE troubled red wave, came slowly
towards the range of her vision. She
spoke again; every lip was mute. Her
voice was low, faint, yet awfu!Iy distinct;
she still fixed her sorrowful glance upon
the wine cup.
1T is evening now; the great white
moon is coming up, AMI her beams lay
gently on his forehead. He moves not;
his eyes are set in their sockets; dim are
their piercing glances; in vain his friend
whispers the name Of father and sister
death is there. Death-and no soft hand.
no gentle voice 10 bless and soothe him.
His head sinks back, one convulSive
shudder, he is dead"
4 groan ran through the assembly. so
vivid was her description, so unearthly
her look, so inspired her manner. that
what she described seemed actually 10
have taken place then and there. They
noticed also. that the bridegroom hid
his face in his hands, and was weeping.
Dead" she repeated. her lips quiv-
ering faster and faster, and her voice
more broken: and there they scoop
him a grave; and there. without a
Shroud, they lay him down in that damp.
reeking earth-the only son of proud
father, the only idolized brother of a
imd sister. And there he sleeps to-day
in that distant country. with no stone to
mark the spot There he lies--my Jdth-
er's son-my own thrjH Jr3ther'-a vic
tim to this deadly poison. Father" she
exclaimed. turning suddenly. while the
tears raihed down her beautiful cheeks,
father, shall drink it now.'
The form of the old judge was con-
vuised with agony. He raised not his
head, but in a smothered voice he fall
tered-''No, no, my child-no!"
She lifted the glittering goblet. and
letting it suddenly fall 10 the floor. it
was dashed in a Thousand pieces. Many a
fearful eye watched her movements. and
instantaneously every wine-glaSs was
transferred to the marble table on which
it had been prepared. Then. a. she
looked at the fragments of crystal, she
turned TO the company. saying Let no
friend hereafter. who loves me. tempt
lie TO peril my soul for wine. Not firm
er are the everlasting hills, than my re-
solve, God helping NE, never TO touch
or taste the poison cup. and he TO whom
| have given my hand-who watched
over my. brothers diving form. in that
last solemn hour. and buried the dear
wanderer there by the river, in that land
of gold. will | trust. sustain me in that
resolve VIII you not, my husband:'
His glistening eye. his sad. sweet smile,
was his answer The Judge left the
room. and when. an hour later, he re-
turned. and with a more subdued man
ner took part in the entertainment of
the bridal guests. no one could fail TO
read that he. too. had determined to
Danish the enemy at once and forever
from his princely home.
Those who We're present at that we'd
ding can never forget the impression so
snleInnly made. Many. from that hour,
renounced forever the social glass.