Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-04-26
The Bridal Eve.

one summer night the blaze of many
lights streaming from the windows of an old
mansion, perched among the rocks and
woods, flashed over the dark waters of Lake
Champlain.
In a qnet and comfortable chamber of
that mansion party of British officers,
sitting around a table spread with yiands,
discussed subject of some interest, if it
was not the most important in the world,
while the tread of the dancers shook the
floor Of the adjoining room.
Yes while all is gayety anl dauce and
music in the largest hall of the old mansion,
whose hundred lights glanced far over the
waters of Champlain-he in this quiet
room, with the cool evening breeze blowing
in their faces through the opened windows,
here the party of British officers assembled
to discuss their fayorite topic.
That topic was--the comparative beauty
of the women of the world.
" As for me" said handsome young en-
sign, will match the youphouS forms
and dark eyes of Italy against all the beau
ties of the world /"
" And j." said bronzed old veteran, who
had risen to the colonelcy by his long service
and hard fighting land have pretty lass
of daughter there in England, whose blue
eyes and laxen hair would shame your tragic
beauties of Italy into very uglness."
" / have served in India, as you all must
know said the major, who sat next to the
veteran, "and | never saw painting or statue,
much less living woman, half so lovely as
some Of those Ilindoo maidens, bending down
with water lilies in their hands; bending
down by the light of torches, over the dark
waves of the Ganges.'
And thus, one after another, ensign,
colonel aud major had given their opinion
The last was a captain, who wore n hand
some scarlet coat, glttering epaulettes, lace
ruflles on his bosom and around his wrists.
"Come, captain" shouted the ensign " de
eide this great question Which are the
most beautiful red cheeks of England,
the dark eyes of Italy, or the graceful forms
of llmdoostan
The captain hesitated for moment, and
then replied
Mold your three model, OF beauty-your
English lass, your Italian queen, your Hin
doc nymph-into one, and add to their
charms a thousand eraces Of color and form
and feature, and would not compare this
perfection of loyelmess for a single moment
with the wild and artless beauty of-an
/ American girl
/ The laugh of the three officers for mo-
ment drowned the echo Of the dance in the
next room
q" Compare his American mlkmaid with
/ the woman of Italy e.
Or the lass of England |"
"Or the graceful lIindoo girl T.
This laughing scorn OF the officers stunl
the handsome captain 10 the quick.
llark yet" he cried, half rising from hi,
scat, with flushed brow, but a deep ant
deliberate voice "Tomorruw | marry
wife; an American girl Tonight at mid
night, too, that American girl will join th'
dance in the ueNt room. You shall see he
you shall Judge for yourselves whether thu
American woman is not the most heautifu
in the world !"
ave have heard something of your mar
riage captain" said the gay ensign, bu
we did not think it would occur so suddenly
Only think OF it Tomorrow you will b'
gone-settled verdict brought in-senteuc
passed--a married mau But tell me
How will your ladyloye be brought to thi
house to-night2 | thought she reside,
within the rebel lines
" She does reside there But have sen
messcnger-a friendly Indian chief, OF
whom can place the utmost dependence
TO bring her from her present home, at dea'
of night, through the forest 10 this mansion
lie is to return by twelve; it is now hall
past eleven
Friendly Indian " echoed the veteral
colonel "rather an odd guardian for
pretty woman
And you will match this lady agains
all the world for beauty Z" said the ma ior.
"Yes, and ii you do not agree with me
this hundred guneas which lay upon Ia
0 t.l.1 I. l...n fUT "A
come. But If YOU do agree with mo-a
without doubt you will-then you are To rc
place this gold with hundred guineas o
your own
Agreed It is a wager choruscd ia
colonel aud the two other officers.
And in that moment-while the do0rwa
. was throngcd 10y fair ladies and gay officer
attracted from the next room by the debat
AS the captain stood with one hand rest
ing upon the little pile of gold, his rudd
face grew suddenly pale as o shroud, his blu
eyes dilated, until they were onclrcled by
line of white enamel lac remained standing
there, as ii frozen to stone.
"Why, captain, what is the matter z
cried the colonel, starting up in alarm d
, you see a ghost, that you stand gazing ther
at the blank wall z"
The other officers also started up IN alarm
> and asked the cause of this singular dc
meanor, but still for the space of miuut
or more, the captain stood there, more lik
dead man suddenly recalled to lie than
living being.
That moment passed, he sat down with I
cold shivcr made strong effort as II Il
command his reason aud then gave nitel
ance 10 forced laugh.
LA, ha See how I've frightened you :
a I'D HI