The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-29
THE SILVER CUP.

The palace Of the Duke de Montre was
decorated for banquet. A thousand
wax lights burned in its stately rooms,
making them bright as midday. Along
the walls glowed the priceless tapestry
of the Gobelines, and beneath the foot
lay the fabrics Of Persia. Rare vases,
filed with flowers, stood on the marble
stands, and their breath went up like in
cense before the life-like pictures shin
ing in their golden frames above. In the
great hall stood immense tables covered
with delicacies from alllands and climes.
Upon the side-board glittered massive
plate, and the rich glass Of Murano.
Music, now low and soft, now bold and
high, iloated in through the opened case
ment, and was answered at intervals by
tones of magic sweetness.
All was ready. The noble and gifted
poured into the gorgeous saloons. Silks
rustled, plumes waved, and ieweled en-
broiderles flashed from Genoa, velvets.
Courtly congratulations fell from every
lip, for the Duke de Montre had made a
new step in the path of power. Wit
sparkled. the laugh went round, and his
guests pledged him in wine that hum
I'dred years had mellowed. Proudly the
Duke replied; but his brow darkened,
and his cheek paled with passion, for his
cup,
.'Wherefore is this?" he angrily de-
manded. Wien did my tirst-born learn
to insult his fatherY'
The graceful STRIPPING sprang from his
seat, and knelt meekly before his parent.
His sunny curls tell back from his up
turned face, and his youthful counten-
ance was radiant with brave and gen.
erous spirit.
"Father," he said, 81 lastnight learned
a lesson that sunk into my heart. Let
/ will drain the cup. l saw laborer
stand at the door of gay shop. He held
in his hand the earnings of week, and
his wife, with a sickly babe ana two
| famishing little ones, clung to his gar
ments and besought him not TO enter.
| lie tore himself away, for his thirst was
strong, and, but for the care of u stran-
ger. his family would have perished.
II went on, and, father, citizen of
noble air aud majestic form descended
the wide steps of his fine mansion. His
wife put back the curtains, and watched
him eagerly and wisttuliy as he rode
away. She was very, very lovely, fairer
than any lady OF the court, but the shad-
ow of q sad heart was fast falling ON her
beauty, We saw her gaze around upon
the desolate splendor OF her saloon, and
then clasp her hands in the wild agony
of despair. When we returned her hus'
band lay helpless on couch, and she
sat weeping beside him.
"Once more we paused. A carriage
lstood before a palace. 1t was rich witt
FURNISHED gold, and the armorial bear
! ings of duke were visible in the moon
beams. We waited ior its owner tt
flight, but lie did not move, and he gave
l mr.
crowding out; sorro afully they lifted
MIN in their arms, and l saw that some
of the jewels were torn from his mantle
anu his plumed cap was crushed ant
soiled, as if by the pressure OF many foot
J steps. They bore him into the palace
and wondered if his duchess wept ik
the beautiful wife of the citizen.
"As looked on all this, my tutor toll
me it was the work OF the red wine
f which leaps gaily ur, and laughs owe
. its victims in demoniac merriment.
shuddered, father, and resolved neve
again to taste, lest l, too, should fall
drain the cup?'
"No, my son, touch it not. 1t is po
son, as thy tutor told thee. 1t fires tn
D brain, weakens the intellect, destroy
r the soul. Put it away IRON thee, and s
, thou shalt grow up wise and good,
i blessing to myself and to thy country"
t He glanced around the circle. Sui
E prise and admiration were on ever
' lace, and, moved by The same impulse
all arose, while one OF their humble
/ spoke.
i ssand thy rebuke shall not be soon fol
O gotten. We have congratulated thy f;
: ther upon the acquisition Of honor'
n which may pass with the passing Sc;
i son. We now congratulate him upo
: that best of all possessions, son wo
thy of France and OF himself"
;. The naughty courtiers bowed GLOW
ing assent, and each clasped the hand
/. the boy. But the father took him to b
J. heart, and even now, among the trea
}, ured relics of the family, is numbere
O that silver cup.