Morning journal and courier., 1883-12-27
IL was glorious day in June among the

A long, deep green valley lay low between | TWO lofty ridges of the Cumberland Mount | ains, running north and south for ten miles, 1 and near the boundary lines of three States.
 This lovely vale was watered by 8 merry, sparkling little river called the Whirligig, | which furnished the power for all tho huge 1 machineries of the great firm of Roekharrt & Sons, proprietors of the Piutus Iron Mines 1! and the North End Foundries, which supplied the mighty engines on the great lines of rail- 1 road from the east to the west, and whose massive buildings, forges, furnaces, store houses, laborers cottages, and so on, oeeu- pied all the ground between the foot of the and the banks of the river, on both sides of the Whirligig, at the upper or north end of the valley, where substantial bridge connected the two shores.
 This settlement, called, from its position, North End, was quite 8 thriving little village The gathering together of so many workmen at the mines and foundries had drawn trades people and other honest ad7entursrs to the spot.
 On this bright June morning the great works were all stopped. There was general holiday, and as this was at the cost of the firm, it gave general satisfaction.
 All the people of North End, except the aged, infirm and infantile, were trooplng down the valley, on the rough road between the foot of the West Ridge and the side Of the river, to fete to be given them at Rock hold on the occasion of the marriage of Old Aaron Rockherrt's granddaughter, Corona Taught, to Regulas Rothsay, the governor elect of the State
 It was a marriage of very rare interest to the workmen and their families.
 To the men, because the governor-elect had been one of their own class. The elders re- membered him from the time when he was friendless orphan child, glad to run the long est errand or do the hardest days work for dime, but also very Independent little fel- low, who would take nothing in the shape of aims from anybody.
 To the women, because he was going to marry his first and only sweetheart, and on the very day before his inauguration, so that she might take part in the pageantry that was to be his first great success and triumph.
 And, therefore, all these people talked so incsssantly of the bridegroom and the bride as they passed along the rugged road between the wooded front of the West Ridge and the rocky bank of the Whirligig, until they came in sight of the ferry opposite Rockhold, the scene of the approaching wedding.
 Old Scythia, the mad woman, and her evil prophecy were soon forgotten, even by the superstitious and credulous, as they gazed upon the gay and festive scene on the east side of the river.
 stOh! did you ever see such beautiful sight in all your lifel" exclaimed Miss Ann Lang to the company at large.
 "Oh, yes When MT. Fabian Rockharrt came of age there were ever so many more decora- tionsl More flower arches, and moro tents, and more tables But there Now the ferry boat has just left this side live had hurried we might have caught her. And now we shall have to wait T" grumbled old Marwig.
 On tho opposite side of the river, at the foot of the East Ridge, stood Rockhold, the country seat of the Rockharrts, in it's own park, which lay between the mountain and the river.
 The house itself was without any prsten- sions to architectural beauty. It was mora remarkable for substantial strength than for elegance.
 It was, in fact, large, heavy, oblong building of gray stone, two stories high, with cellar and garret.
 From the front of the house to the edge of the river extended fair green lawn, shaded here and there by great forest trees.
 Under many of these trees tables with re- treatments were set, and seats were placed for the accommodation and refreshment of the outdoor guests. In sunny spots, also,
 some white tents were raised and decorated
 with flags.
 s'There'n be great crowd in the house,
 let alone the park" said Mrs. Bounce. ssNo there won't neither! It is only the
 nearest relations and most intimate friends of the family who are invited to the cers- mony. There have only been five carriages passed since we have been sitting here. and don't believe there was one come before we came, or that there'll be another come after that last one, which was certainly the groom s, ,'' said Old Marwig sOh! was it, indeed? But how do you l know?" demanded Mrs. Bounce. ''It is the new carriage from North End Hotel. And he and his groomsmen had en- gagged it. That's how I know! Here comes l the ferry-boat! Now for it!'' The boat soon touched the banks, and as many as could find room crowded into it 1 and were speedily roEed across the river and \ landed on the other side. They found B few of thu lawn party there before them, men, women and children, who, i Tn their holiday dresses, gave color and ami nation to the scene.
 sIThere is Mir Clarence Rockhart coming 1 towards us,'' said Mrs. Bounce, as the party walked up from ths landing. ''Ab. he's the best of the whole bunch, bless him. she added.
 1 A medium-sized, plump, fair man of mid I dle age, with a round, fresh face, 8 smiling countenance, blue eyes and light hair, and in l 8 ''wedding garment of the day, came down 1 to meet them. He shook hands with all, warmly welcom- | ing them in the name of his father Then he led them up to the lawn and gave them chairs among the unoceupied seats at the various tables.
 eff you please, MT. Clarence, is the groom in good health and sperrits?" meaningly in- quired Mrs. Bounce.
 ''Mr. Rothsay is in excellent health and spirits, thank you,'' replied the gentleman, looking little surprised at the question; and then moving off quickly to receive some now arrivals.
 That don't seem like there was anything hanging over him to prevent his taking of his seat tomorrow" exclaimed MT. Marwlg. stWeTl see," said Miss Lang. The guests for the lawn party were con stantly arriving, and the ferry boat was kept busy plying from ehore to shore. The women and children of North End
 liked bright colors, and their holiday dresses of red blue, yellow and purple, orange and pure white, with gay sashes, scattered over the green grass and through the green foliage of the lawn, made very brilliant and lively scene,
 '.It's a fine show, now I tell you all that, , said Mrs Bounce.
 ''Ah! but it is nothing to the parade there will be in the city to morrow, when they in-
 augurate the new governor. It's all well
 enough to see the wedding to. doy, but would heap rather see the inauguration to-mor- row." exclaimed Mrs MarWig "You don't know that there will be any in.
 auguration,'' muttered Ann Lang. "That old woman knows more than we do about what's going to be-"
 'You are right, young woman. And tn ere will be no inauguration to morrow. A terri ble doom hangs over the bridal pair. It is written in the Book of Fate!" cried old Scy ythia from hill near by. All eyes were turned upon the witch. She waved her hand men
 aoingly at the group, and disappeared The
 above we publish as specimen chapter; but
 the continuation of this great story will be
 found only in the N. Y. Ledger. Ask for the number dated January 5, which can now be
 hadat any news office or bookstore. If you are not within reach of a news office, you can
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