Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-01-14
THE SILVER CUP.

The palace of the Duke de Montr
was decorated for a banquet. A thou
sand wax lights burned in its statel
rooms, making them bright as mid
day. Along the walls glowed the price
less tapestry of the GObelines, and be
meath the foot lay the fabrics of Persia
Rare vases, filled with flowers, stoot
on the marble stands, and their breatl
went up like incense before the life-lik
pictures shining in their golden frame
above. In the great hall stood immens,
tables covered with delicacies from al
lands and climes. Upon the side-boart
glittered massive plate, and the ricf
glass of Murano. Music, now low anC
soft, now bold and high, hoated il
through the opened easement, and wa
answered at intervals by tones of mag
ic sweetness.
All was ready, The noble and gifted
poured into the gorgeous saloons. Silk;
ruStled, plumes waved, and jeweleC
embroiderie5 flashed from Genoa vel
vets. Courtly congratulations fell from
every lip, for the Duke de Montre haC
made new step in the path to power
Wit sparkled, the laugh went round
and his guests pledged him in wint
that hundred years had mellowed
Proudly the duke replied; but his brow
darkened, and his check paled with
passion, for his son sat motiOnless be.
fore his untasted cup.
Wherefore is this p he angrily de.
manded. when did my first-born
learn to insult his father?'
f,,I
his seat, and knelt meekly before his
parent. His sunny curls fell back from
his upturned face, and his youthful
countenance was radiant with brave
and generous spirit.
Father he said, Il last night learned
a lesson that sunk into my heart, Let
me repeat it, and then, at thy COM
mand, l will drain the cup. | saw a
laborer stand at the door of gay shop.
He held in his hand the earnings of a
week, and his wife, with sickly babe
and Two famishing little ones, clung to
his garments and besought him not to
enter. He tore himself away, for his
thirst was strong, and, but for the care
OF stranger, his family would have
perished.
ou03 OI
noble air and majestic form descended
the wide steps of his fine mansion. His
wife put back the curtains, and watch
ed him eagerly and wistfully as he
rode away. She was very, very lonely,
fairer than any lady of the court, but
the shadow of a sad heart was fast fall
ing on her beauty. We, saw her gaze
around upon the desolate splendOr of
her saloon, and then clasp her hands liz
the wild agony of despair. When we
returned her husband lay helpless on
couch, and she sat weeping beside him.
= Once more we paused. A carriage
stood before palace. 1t was rich with
FURNISHED gold, and the armorial bear
lngs OF a duke were visible in the
mOOn-b beams. We waited for its owner
to alight, but he did not move, and he
gave no orders. Soon the servants
came crOwding Ort; sorrOwfully they
lifted him in their arms, and / saw that
some OF the jewels were torn from his
mantle, and his plumed cap was crushs
ed and soiled, as if by the pressure of
many footsteps. They bore him into the
palace, and | wondered il his duchess
wept like the beautiful wife of the
citizen.
AS | looked on all this, my tutor
told me it wHs the work of the red
wine, which leaps gaily up, and laughs
over its victims i'm demon merriment.
L shuddered, father, and resolved never
again to taste it, lest /. too, should fall.
But your word is law to me. Shall /
drain the cup?'
NO, my son, touch it not. 1t is pois-
on, as thy tntor told thee. 1t fires the
brain, weakens the intellect, DESTROYS
the soul. Put it away from thee, and
so thou shalt grow up wise and good, a |
to thyself and to. thy country
He glanced around the circle. Srr-
prise 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 ne said
and thy rebuke shall not be soon for
gotten. We have congratulated thy
father upon the acquisition of honors,
which may pass with the passing sea-
son. We now congratulate him upon
hat best of all possessions, a son
worthy of France and Of himself
The naughty courtiers bowed glow
ng assent, and each clasped the hand
ii the boy. But the father took him to
his heart, and even now, among
he treasured relics of the family, is
that silver cud.