Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-03-03
The bridal Mine-Cnn.


The Bridal Wine-Cup,
The following story was read at the
Hoston Lodge, 1. o. G.. T., on last
Monday night by young lady, in
such a touching, feeling manner as to
cause tear to glisten in many an eye.
Though many of our readers may
have read it before, it will bear read
ing again:
Pledge with wine, pledge with
wine" cried the young and thought
less Harvey Wood. pledge with
wine,n ran through the bridal party.
The beautiful bride grew pale the
decisive honr had come. She pressed
her white hands together. and the
leaves of she bridal wreath trembled
on her brow; her breath came quick
er, and her heart beat wilder.
" Yes, Marion, lay aside your scru.
pies Tor this once, said the judge in
low tone, going towards his daughter;
the company expect it. Do not so
seriously infringe upon the rules of ct
iquette. In your own home do as you
please but in mine, for this once,
please me-"
Pouring a trimming cup, they held
it, with tempting smiles, towards Ma
rion. She was very pale, though cons
posed and her hand shook not as,
smiling back, she gracefully accepted
the crystal tempter, and raised ii to her
lips. But scarcely had she done 50
when every hand was arrested by her
piercing exclamation OF 4" Oh how
terrible"
What is it - cried one and all,
thronging together, for she had slow
ly carried the glass at arms length,
and was fixedIy regarding it.
Wait, " she answered, whiiea light,
which seemed inspired, shOne from
her dark eyes" wait, and ! will tell
you. | see" she added slowly, point
ing one finger at the sparkling ruby
liquid, "a sight that beggars all de
scription and yet, listen will paint
it for you, if | can. 1t is a lovely spot
tall mountains crowned with verdure
rise in awful sublimity around; riv-
er runs through, and bright flowers
grow to the waters edge. But there
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
fitful fire of fever. One friend stands
before him-nay, should say, kneels !;
for see, he is pillowing that poor head
upon his breast.
=" Oh! the high, holy-lookiug brow.
| Why should death mark it, 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 hig N ion i'm nlnrin1y m,
/ be saved Oh hear him call piteOus-
| ~ his fathers name, see him Irvine his
| fingers together, as he shrieks for his
| sister--his only sister-the twin Of his
soul-weeping for him in his distant
native land.
" See ~ she exclaimed, while the
bridal party shrank back, the untasted
wine trembling in their faltering grasp,
and the judge fell overpowered upon
his seat" see his arms are lifted to
heaved-he prays-hOw wildly! for
mercy hot fever rushes through his
veins. He moves not his eyes are
set in their sockets dim are their pier
cling chances in vain his friend whis-
pers the name Of father aud sister
death is there. Death-and no soft
hand, no gentle voice, TO soothe him.
/ His head sinks back one convulsiVe
shudder he is dead!o
A grOan ran through the assembly
/ so vivid was her description, so I'M
earthly her look, 50 inspired her man-
ner, that what she described seemed
p actually to have taken place then and
there They noticed, also, that the
, bride groom hid his face i'm his hands
} and was weeping.
"DeadW she repeated again, her lips
+ quivering faster and faster, and hel
} voice more broken; land there they
/ scoop him a grave; and there, without
4 a shroud, they lay him down in thai
! damp, reeking earth, the only son of {
4 proud father, the only idOlized brother
of a fond sister. There he lies, my
: fathers son, nay own twin brother, /
victim to this deadly poison. 'Father!'
she exclaimed. turning suddenly
while the tearslTained down her beau
tiful cheeks" father, shall drink i
now? ?"
The form Of the old judge was con
vulsed with agony. He raised not hi
I head, but in a smOthered voice hi
altered No, no, my child MOI" -
She lifted the glittering goblet, and
> letting il suddenly fall to the floor, i
e. was dashed into a thousand pieces
10 Many a fearful eye watched her move
r ment, and instantaneously every win,
( glass was transferred to the marbl
: table on which it had been prepared
/ Then, as she looked at the fragment
5 of crystal, she turned to the company
? saying, =" Let no friend hereafter VIII
/ loves me tempt me to peril my soul TO
/ wine. Not firmer are the everlasting
o hills than my resolve, God helping me
s never to touch or taste the poison cup
= And he to whom I have given m.
4 hand, who watched over my brother
! dying form in that last solemn hour
, and buried the dear wanderer there b.
/ the river ~ ....v land of gold, will,
. trust, sustain me in that resolve"
/ Hi. plistening ewes, his sad, sWee