The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-12-15
THE lost BRIDEGROOM.

fukbou ahu houHsathous oish NV
OF Wales is situated q mining village,
noted for this little story which the min
erS tell to their children.
Years ago ia tho little village Of
there was an humble but neatly-kept
cottage, where an old miner dwelt with
his wife and only child-a son. And
Alick was but a young boy when he
frat descended into tho mines with his
father.
One evening, as the old miner was
returning homo from nsighboring vii
lage, his attention was attracted by q
little girl. She was weeping bitterly.
A few broken, almost inarticuIate words
told that she had bcen deserted by her
mother. The child, weary and hungry,
had cried itself TO sleep, and while ahe
was sleeping, the unstural parent had
forsaken her.
The old man was touched by tho In
cident. Raising her tenderly In his
arms, he wended his way homewaad.
Entering the cottage he placed the light
burden in his wife's lap, saying:
"God In His wisdom has seen Ct 70
choose eur home from all ether homes
in the village 10 shelter this deserted
child. Knowing your kind heart, wife,
l did not fear to bring the little one to
yOu."
Tho dame pressed the good mans
hand ahectionatsly ia reply, and Amy
for 10 the child was called-was soon
seated before . aimPle repast.
Alick, on bis return from the parish
school, welcomed the little girl with ev-
cry expression Of pleasure.
Years pasaed away, and Amy's child
hood days wero spent.
Without great claims to beauty, there
was, nevertheless, charm about her
which all recognized.
The miner and his wife were not sur
prised when Aliek 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 nuptiala waa
named, and was looked fjrwar.l TO a.
an occasion Of general rejoicing. Ths
happy day arrived. work was suspended
that all iaight join 10 tbs merry
making.
Taking The hand Of the tromblin,
girl within his G~n. Alick. according I,
the lObg-established customs of the I, IL
lage, led the say To the little sint Gov
cred church, whsro lhs parish l.rics
blessed their love. Children Stte~e,
flowers by the way y-aidc and sang ga,
songs. Eaeh guest bad made modes
Offering, but to no one would Alick con
iids the nature Of his gift, wishing. a
he did, u excite an agreeable surprise.
When they had returned to the CO,
tage, Alick kissed bis wife, telling he
he would leayo her but for short sea
son. Hesleft the house, aud, with on
last, lingering look at the doorws
where Amy stood waving merry adieu
he hurried or in the direction Of the ol
mines, and curve in the road soon hi
him from view. As his 1.-THE figure dis
appeared Amy uttered a faint sigh, sue
gestive Of dull foreboding evil Of th
fulness of her mirthful joy.
Days passed, and search had bee
made everywhere. Weeks followed
then months. But the bridegroom di
not return. Nor could his absence an
strange disappearance be accounted 70
No clew was gained by those WI
searched nntirinsly. At length hol
was abandoned. The widowed bri,
clung tenaciously to one idea, wbic
seemed almost like folly, in life or deaf
she would see her husband again befo
she was called away from earth. TIL
belief afforded her comfort, and Il
neighbors, while they did not share Il
conviction, humored her ia the though
and spoke regretfully of the sad chan
es that sorrow had wrought in her fre
young face.
Forty years were gone, and but
the sad, wistful face Of old Amy, al
the whispered stories of the peasants
= the unaccountable disappearance Of A
lex would have been forgotten. B
r the tale toll in an under breath
q. - many hearth was, that Alick h
In been carried off by an evil spirit, wi
he whom lie had held compact. Ma
q. on even went so far as 20 say thai his sc
he haunted the old cottage, and had be
.. cen during stormy nights in the mo,
I'd tains. Amy indeed asserted that Z
often heard his voice calling her, q
the lisht that burned aiways from nio