Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-02-22
rHE HUNTERS BRIDE.
BY LUCIUS C. WEST.

Bell Gretchen far, Bell Gretchen rare,
And she u miners daughter,
With winsome ways and guilelsss air,
Spurned lovers all that sought her:
Cooked well her fathers meager fare,
And treasured all lie taught her.
Her Unborn tact, devoid OF art,
Though reared in crude rusticity,
Had given TO her that matchless grace,
30 charming In simplicity,
Which truth and worth doth s'er impart.
Once o'er a mountains wooded slope,
In search Of flowers Of rarer grace,
This Wild rose strayed, till, bending low,
The heavens all radiant like her face,
To kiss the earth ut sunset glow,
Proclaimed too great her rambling scope.
As lower sank the setting sun,
Grew pale each ermine-tinted cheek,
Grew pale and eorpse-Iike as 4 nun,
And. like chess piece brouA hit to check, I
She halted meath ar trees shade.
Sweet bird. sweet bird" she weeping said.
With hsnds pressed 'gainst her painting breast
AS: meath the tree, her liquid eyes
She raised toward songstsr's nest,
Suspended meath the ermIne skies
Which tinged earth's Q mantle green with red
Oh, change your song, my pretty bird,
And sing to me, sweet-where's my homer
You're up SO high. pray look and see
Beyond yon mountains Rlistening domeo
Clear notes like water dropping free
Soon wearied sank she to the ground,
Where slumber robbed all chance for fear;
And, when earth donned her morning dress,
Upon the scene thers did appear
And gaze upon her lOvelness
hunter bold with gun and hound.
Wild flowers noddlng, bending low,
In wanton winds her form oaresscd;
No signs Of life We're seen save this
The startled heavIng Of her breast.
he, StOOplnX. gently Snatched kiss.
And murmured, "She will never know"
"Know what. j ohm Stark?'' she blushinR said
Up springing like a startled deer,
Aow dare you take by stealth from me,
When In my sight you'd have fearS
'ris theft, bold sir, and decree
Just retribution on your head.H
''I'll stand . suie-and offer this
AS Offset to your charge. fair Bell;
Since Pm thief by subtle art,
And you will cease not to rebel,
In innocence you've stole my heart
aence owe 1t least another kiss.
SoT' Ds since a. you've lost yoar way. my sweet.
Fray let me lead you through all life
WIN nrss. ns, why turn turn why pout? why ehides
10 I'LL my heart, sis meet. it's meet.
'So rich reward can ever reap
Ihe doubling, never-trustng heart!
Come, be my mate, and here swear
My truth to thee. All, sweet! why start?
fair WoInanhood's charmed grace you II wear,
All, sweet! my sweet! why do you weep?
Your fathers willing, and the points
Of rites and forms you oft have raised
Neeu have no weight See. pure and free,
fon crystal stream. No scefs are raised
Because beyond it weds the sea,
And consummates what God appoints.
'Ah. Bell! dear Bell! you yield. you bow
Your head IN maiden shame. Why weepq
With me kneel on this wer-decked mound.
Yell " ran,
Swear loyalty and love profound,
And God will bless our wedding VOW"
He raised those charms with willing arms,
All. wildwood 8 fairest daugnter!
And bore her. with new sweet alarms
Across the gurglng water,
And vowed to 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 swcar
He'd do the same # he swung for T."