The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-03-27

to his first production, and go far to substantial
self prose he sacrificed very serious claims OF To
Muses.. Though we cannot claim with George
Prentice the possessions Of the divine afdatu
but we confess to share the tender feeling held
that lamented and gifted journalist for the gent
fraternity of bards and their tuneful lays -[Ricl
mond Standard. erll
Upon the bright and verdant banks Of Rhine,
Where sloping hills and fow'ry dale combine
To clothe fair Nature in her gayest sheen,
And throw enchantment DER each lovely scene,
An ancient castle reared in ages past,
But now with marks of time around hercast,
Proud Woustein, once a Baron's lordly seat.
Deserted stands-for bats a lone retreat.
One autumn eve, a brewing storm on high
With direful aspect filled the lowering sky;
The startling thunders DER the valley broke,
! And sleeping Nature to the storm awoke; -
The vivid lightning flashed with meteor blaze,
Illumed the darkness with its dazzling rays
Hurl'd the proud oak IN fragments 'er the groun
And scattered wreck and ruin all around.
A gallant knight returning from the war,
Saw Wousteins lofty turrets from afar,
And turning from the road as quick as thought,
With rapid pace the sheltering castle sought.
And soon approached the Anticipated fort,
And passed the drawbridge to the inner court,
A perfectfo the Wondering mansion showed,
And in the centre of that old abode
Was once garden fair that far excelled nd
Whate err the muse hath sung or eye beheld.
But now, how changed now flowers with artles
grace
Adorn'd the paths to cheer this gloomy place.
His horses feet produced hollow sound.
That echoed through the empty chambers round
Ha cd oh 70 bor nd ohony
But echo only answered to his calls, '-.'--
Until at last, by WEAKNESS opprest,
To an inviting place he turned to rest. .
T. y
A moment lost in thought he soon deserted
A glim'ring light for which he quickly hied; .
Through many long and gloomy halls he went
Upon his bold and eager search intent; 20" '--''
But soon the light he lost and saw no more
Until he came before an open door,
And stopp'd COMPOUNDED as the lustre bright
OF angel beauty flashed upon his sight; ...
Then moved with nearer gaze those eyes to view
Which on the floor the bashful virgin threw.
With head reclining on her taper hand,
Surprised she sat, though keeping self command
Till he in gentle tones the silence broke,
And to the maid in words OF greeting spoke.
She quickly raised her brightly beaming eyes,
But to his converse only bowed replies.
your pardon, lady, do not think me rude,
If on your gentle presence intrude.
And from the storm kindly shelter seek"
Again she bowed her head, but did not speak.
He deemed her mute reception icy cold,
And firm reslov'd the mystery to enfold;
And while the storm in fury ragged without
He fondly hoped to solve the mystic doubt.
DIV nO1d nd hun narh a W. q ~ nnnrnQsnQ
And frankly to the maid his wants confessed.
With graceful bow the lady rose in haste, ....
And tempting viands on the table placed;
But from her ashy lips no sound was heard;
She spoke by signs. and uttered not word.
Her strange demeanor caused his blood to chill,
While yet her pallor was more womb GUS still;
And as he ate, and drank his sparkling wine,
He gazed intent upon her form divine.
At length. elated by the tempting wine,
And quaffing still the nectar OF the vine, .-
He grew embolden ned, and at once essay'd
The truth to learn-addressing thus the maid:
"The daughter of what valiant knight art thou ?"
To which she answered only with bow;
Then cast her eyes across the ancient hall,
And pointed to a portrait on the wall.
1t was knight OF bold and lofty mein.
OF stately air and dignity serene.
Whose costume spoke of ages long gone by.
The damsel then the dreadful silence broke,
And sadly to the knightly soldier spoke.
II am,'' said she, 'of my proud race the last
line of some renown in ages past;
This broad domain is mine, you're welcome here.
This broad domain is nine rang in his ear.
The youth was poor, and with another view
He thought her lovely, though Of pallid hue;
Aud now he felt that Loves unerring dart
Had caused pang within his throbbing heart.
Oh sacred Love thou art tender flower,
And grosser passions oft usurp thy power;
Accused gold lights up a 6ercer flame
That reigns supreme in every age the same
Ger fallen man, and holds unbounded sway
To drive each nobler impulse far away.
Advancing to the maid with manner bland,
He quickly took her not unwilling hand.
Twas icy cold; and as it touched his own
A deadly chill pierced to the very bone;
And deeming that his lips would warmth impart,
He kissed her hand, and pressed her to his heart
A fervor that the sparkling hook awoke
Had made him wondrous bold, and thus he spoke
'.Art thou, fair dame, in thy affections free?
And may hope thy cherished friend to be?
modest blush suffused her lovelyface; -
She bowed assent with dignity and grace;
thousand new born charms to him appeared,
And stifed hopes within his bosom reared,
With rising fears and anxious doubts inspired,
And still with Loves most ardent passion fired,
The stricken knight now ventured to declare,
His deep devotion to the lady fair.
Well now he played the armorous lover part,
And fondly pledged to her his hand and heart.
With solemn oath to honor and defend
His only love-this last and dearest friend.
A happy smile was on her lips displayed,
While in her look fond rapture was portrayed.
And DER her face, before OF wanlike hue,
The bloom OF roses burst upon the view.
She rose, and took from Of q table there
Two massive rings adorned with brilliants rare.
Soon on his hand shone one with lustre bright,
The other decked her own off lilly white;
And then in haste the mystic wreath she twined
OF cypress twiggs and rosemary combined
And placed the fatal emblem on her head
fearful omen, fraught with horrid dread.
With flashing eyes and bearing OF command
She babe him follow withher waving hand,
And quickly to an open door she went
Upon some vague, mysterious mission bent;
While through his heart unearthly terrors shot.
All! fain would he have vanished from the spot.
TWO molly priests, arrayed in black, appeared,
With snowy hair and amply flowing beard
And took between them quick the bridal pair,
With CHASTITY smiles and strangely hideous stare
And now he saw that to retreat were vain,
For countless knights made up the nuptial train
With solemn tread they march in silent gloom,
Mid sculptured forms upon each honored tomb
That seemed to mock them with exulting smile
While dirge-like music sounded through tn
aisles,
Until they stood before the affairs face,
And silence reigned within that sacred place.
With hollow voice pious father cried
wilt thou, Won Stein, take Bertha for thy BRIDE?
While these dread words broke on his startled ca
And filed his soul with m ore than mortal fear
As aspen leaves so shook the fainting knight
He gasp'd and nature faded from his sight.
n
The harbinger of morn, bright chanticleer,
Proclaimed the Reign of Terror" ended here
And while the vision melted into air
The knight awoke. and with bewildered stare
Beheld his charger grazing in the court,
Himself the only tenant of the fort;
While bright Aurora blushed with roseate CLEAN
To cheer the hero of this mystic dream.
~ JOHN LEWIS PEYToN.
At Red Rock, Pa, Saturday, an unknown
man, evidently intoxicated, staggered
through the streets with bag on his shout
ders containing nine quarts of nitro-glycer
inc. a few minutes later the town wa
Shakpn and tho iuha hitsnfs tprrihV friohf