The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-12-16
THE LOST BRIDEGROOM.


of Walesis situated a mining village, not
ed for this little story which the miners
tell to their children.
Years ago in the little village of -
there was an humble but neatly kept cot
tage. where an old miner dwelt with his
wife and only child-a son. And Alick
was but young boy when he first des-
cended into the mines with his father.
One evening, as the old miner was re-
turning home from aneighboring village,
his attention was attracted by little
girl. She was weeping bitterly. A few
broken, almost inarticulate words told
that she had been d, serted by her moth
er. The child, weary and hungry, had
cried itself to sleep, and while she was
sleeping, the unnatural parent had for
saken her. 90
The old man was touched by the in
cident. Raising her tenderly in his
arms, he wenaed his way homeward.
Entering the cottage he placed the light
burden in his wi e's lap, saying:
Good in his wisdom has seen fit to
choose our home from all the other
homes IN the village to shelter this de-
serted child. Knowing your kind heart,
wife, | did not fear to bring the little
one to YOU"
The dame pressed the good mans
hand affectionately in reply, and Amy
for so the child was called-was soon
seated before simple repost.
Alick, on his return from the parish
school, welcomed the little girl with
every expression of pleasure,
Years passed away and Amy's child
hood days were spent.
Without great claims to beauty, there
was, nevertheless, a charm about her
which all recognized.
The miner and his wife were not sur
prised when Alick one day asked them
for their consent to make Amy his wife,
and to this request they accorded their
heartfelt blessing.
The day for the rustic nuptials was
namsd, and was looked forward 20 as an
occasion of general rejoicing. The hap.
py day arrived, work was suspended thai
all might join in the merry-making.
Taking the hand OF the trembling CIR
within his own, Alick, according to the
long established custom of the village
led the way to the little vine-coveret
church, where the parish priest blessed
their love, Children strewed flowers by
the way-side and sang gay songs. Eacl
guest had made modest offering, but Il
mono would Alick confde the nature o
his gift, wishing, as he did, to excit'
an agreeable surprise.
When they had returned to the cottag,
Alick kissed his wife, telling her he wou't
leave her but for o short season. He
left the house, and, with one last, lin
gering look at the doorway where Amy
stood waving a merry adieu, he hurrie,
off in the direction of the old mines, AL,
a curve in the road soon hid him iron
view. AS his 1.-the figure disappeare
Amy uttered faint sigh, suggestive of
dull foreboding evil or the fullness of he
mlrthful joy.
Days passed, and search had been mad
everywhere. Weeks passed; then months
But the bridegroom did not return. No
could his absence and strange disappear
anee be accounted for. No clew wa
gained by those who searched untiunl
ly. At length hope was abandoned. Th
widowed bride clung tenaciously to on
idea, which seemed almost like folly, i
life or death, she would see her husban
again before she was called away froI
earth. This belief afforded her eomfor
and the neighbors, while they did nc
share the conviction, humored her in th
thought, aud spoke regretfully of the sa
changes that sorrow had wrought in ht
fresh young face.
Forty years were gone, and but for th
sad, wistful face Of old Amy, and IL
whispered stories of the peasantry, Ii
unaccountable disappearance of Alic
would have been forgotten. But the tai
told in an under breath by many heart
was, that Alick had been carried of /
an evil spirit, with whom he had hel
compact. Many even went so far as
say that his soul haunted the old cottag
and had been seen during stormy nigh