The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-02-15
THE HUNTERS BRIDE.
by LUCIUs c. WEST.

by LUcIUs C. WEST,
Hcll Gretchen fair, Bell Gretchen rare,
And she q miners daughter
With winsome ways and guileless air
Spurned lovers all that sought her;
Cooked we'll her fathers meager fare,
And treasured all he taught her.
Her Unborn tact, devoid of art
Tbouvh reared i'm crude rusticity,
Had given to her that matches grace
SO charming in simplicity,
or mind, and heart, and form, and face
Which truth and worth doth e'er impart
Once DER mountains wooded slope,
Tn search OF flowers Of rarer grace,
This wild rose strayed, till, bending low,
The heavens all radiant like her face,
To kiss the earth at sunset glow,
Proclaimed too great her rambling scope.
When shadows spanncd the oycrSlade,
As lower sank the setting sun,
Grew pale each ermine-tinted check,
Grew pale and corpse-like as nun,
And, like a chess piece brought to check,
She halted meath fir trees shade.
"Sveet bird, sweet bird" she weeping said,
With hands pressed 'gainst her panting brea'
As, meath the tree her liquid eyes
She raised toward a songster's nest,
Suspended meath the cr!ninc skies
Which tinged esrth's mantle green with red
"Oh, change your song, my pretty bird,
And sing TO me, sweet-wheres my home!
You're up so high, pray look and see
Beyond yon mountains glistcnnc dome
Clear notes like water dropping free
Was all the sound Bell Gretchen heard.
Soon wearicd sank she to the ground,
.l.l,. all Ea.T
And, when earth donned her morning dress,
Upon the scene there did appear
And gaze upon her loveliness
A hunter bold with gun and hound.
Wild flowers nodding bending low
In wanton winds her form caresscd;
No signs of life we're seen save this
The startled heaving Of her breast.
He. STOPPING gently snatchcd kiss,
And murm,red "She will never know"
"Know what John Stark" she blushing said
Up springing like n startled deer.
allow dare you take by stealth from me,
When in my sight you'd have fear?
IT'S theft, bold sir, and decree
Just rctrbution on your head
"Ill stand q suit--and offer this
As offset to your charge, fair Bell:
Since I'm thief by subtle art,
And you will cease not to rebel,
I'm Innocence you've stole my heart
Hence owe at least another kiss
"NOw since you've lost your way, my sweet,
And came here your steps to guide
Pray let me lead you through nil life
Al, Bell, why turn? why pout? why chldc
Why press your heart to qucll its strife?
Come, Ill my heart, Ills meet, It's meet
.aNO rich reward can ever rcaD
The doubling, nevcr-trusting heart
Come, he my mate, and here swear
My truth to thee. Ah sweet! why start?
Fair womAnhOOd's charmed grace you'll wear
All, sweet, my sweet! why do you weep?
'Your fathers willing, and the points
or rites and forms you Oft have raised
Need have no weight. See, pure and free,
Yon crystal stream. No SCOTS are raised
Because beyond il weds the sca,
And consummates what God appoints.
"Ah, Bell! dear Bell, you yield you bow
Your head in maiden shame. Why weep?
With me kncel on this lower -deckcd mound.
Now mark: AS sowcth we We reap
Swear loyalty and love profound,
And God will bless our wedding VOW"
he raised those charms with willing arms.
All, widwoOd's faircst daughter!
And bore her, with new sweet alarms.
Across the gurglng water,
And vowed 10 shield her from all harms
As meath his roof he brought her.
For years, out there, this happy pair,
BY Rocky Peak" near Crumbs Fort"
Have lived; Of children reared their share
Drank deep of bliss and comfort.
Life lived again, I've heard him swear
He'd do the same T he swung for IT,"