Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-09-08
The Bridal Wine-Cup.

iNlLNiN" actNh
Pledge with wine-pledge with wine"
cried the young and thoughtless Harvey
Wood. Pledge with wine" ran through
the bridal party.
g Yes, Marion, lay aside your scruples for
this once" said the Judge, in a low tone,
going towards his daughter: the company
expect It, Do not SO seriously infringe 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 bridal
pair Marion's principles were well known.
Henry had been a eonvivialist, but of late his
friends noticed the change in his manners,
the difference in his habits-and tonight
they watched him TO see, as they sneeiingly
said, If he was tied down to woman's opin-
ion so soon.
Pouring brimming cup, they held it with
tempting smiles toward Marion. She was
very pale, though more composed; and her
hand shook not as, smiling back, she grace
iully accepted the crystal tempter and raised
it 20 her lips. But scarcely had she done so.
when every hand was arrested by her pierc
ing exclamation of: "Oh how terribler'
"What is ?" cried one and all, thropgine
together, for she had slowly carried the glass
at arms length, aud was fxedly regarding it
as though it were some hideous object.
Wait" she answered while light which
seemed inspired shonc from her dark eyes
wait, and | will tell you. | see." she
added slowly, pointing one ieweled finger at
the sparkling, ruby liquid-"a sight that
beggars all description; aud yet lsten-I
viii paint it for you If | can. 1t is a lovely
spot tall mountains crowned with verdure
rise in awful sublimity around river runs
through, aud bright flowers grow to the
waters edge. There is thick warm mist,
which the sun seeks vainly TO pierce. Trees,
lofty and beautiful, wave to the airy motion
OF the 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 eye wild with the fitful fire
Of fever One friend stands beside him
nay, | should say kneels, for see, he is pill
lowing that poor head upon his breast
Genius in ruins. Oh, the high, holy
looking brow why should death mark 1t,
and he so young? Look how he throws
back the damp curls see him clasp his
hands hear his thrilling shrieks for life
mark how he clutches at the form of his
companion, imploring to be saved Oh
hear him call piteously his fathers name
see him twine his fingers together as he
shrieks for his sister-his only sister-the
twin of his soul-weepng for him in his dis
tant native land.
See she exclaimed, while the bridal
party shrank back, the untasted wine trem-
bling in their faltering grasp, and the Judge
fell, overpowered, upon his seat" see his
arms are lifted to heaven-he prays, how
wildly, for mercy Hot fever rushes through
ha fri Ia. l.
ing awe-stricken, the dark men move silently
away and leave the living and the dying to-
gether."
There was a hush in that princely parlor,
broken only by what seemed smothered
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 ten
sion, and the glass, with its little troubled
red wave, came slowly towards the range of
her vision She spoke again-every lip was
mute.
1t is evening now the great white moon
is coming up, and her beams lay gently on
his forehead. lie 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 TO bless
and soothe him. His head sinks backbone
convulsive shudder--he is dead |"
A groan ran through the assembly. So
vivid was her description, so unearthly her
look, so inspired her manner, that what she
described seemed actually to have taken
place then and there. They noticed also
that the bridegroom hid his face in his
hands and was weeping.
Dead she repeated again, her lips
quivering faster and faster, and her voice
more and more broken; "and there they
scoop him 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 fond
sister, And he sleeps to-day in that distant
country, with no stone to mark the spot
loved brother-a victim 10 his deadly poi
sou. Father-oh, my father turning
suddenly, while the tears ran down her beau
tiful checks" father, shall drink it now 2"
The form of the old Judge was convulsed
with agony; he raised not his head, but in
a smothered voice he faltered-" No, no, my
child-noi"
She lifted the glittering goblet, and letting
it suddenly fall TO the floor, it was dashed in
a thousand pieces. Many fearful eye
watched her movement, and instantaneously
every wine-glass was transferred to the
marble table ON which it had been prepared.
Then, as she looked at the fragments of
crystal, she turned to the company, saying:
Let no friend hereafter, who loves me,
tempt me TO peril my soul for wine. Not
firmer are the everlasting hills than my re-
solve, God helping me, never to touch or
taste the poison cup. And he to whom |
have given my hand-who watched over my
brothers dying form in that last solemn
hour, and buried the dear wanderer there by
the river, in that land OF goodwill, | trust,
sustain me in that resolve. Win you not,
my husband Z"
Ills glstenng eye, his sad, sweet smile,
was her answer. The Judge left the room,
and when, an hour after, he returned, and in
a more subdued manner took part in the en-
tertainment 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 were present at that wedding
can never forget the impressions SO solemHy
made Many from that hour renounced fdi-
ever the social glass