The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-02-15
PLEDGED WITH WINE.

winep' cried the young and thoughtless
Harry Wood. pledge with wine, :"
ran through the brilliant crowd.
The beautiful bride grew pale-the
decisive hour had come-she pressed
her white hands together, and the
leaves of her bridal wreath trembled
on her pure brow; her breath came
quicker. her heart beat wilder. From
her childhood she had been most solemn
ly opposed to the use of all wines and
liquors.
Eyes, Marion, lay aside your scruples
for this once" said the Judge, in low
tone, going towards his daughter, 1.-THE
company expect it, do not so seriously
infringe upon the rules of etiquette
in your own house act as you please; but
in mine, for this once please me.
Every eye was turned towards the
bridal pair. Marion's principles were
well known. Henry had been a con-
vivialist. but of late his friends noticed
the change in his manners, the differ
ence in his habits-and tonight they
watched him to see,. as they sneeringly
said, fhe was tied down to woman s
opinion so soon.
Pouring out a trimming beaker, they
held it with tempting smiles toward
Marion. She was very pale, though
more composed, and her hand shook
not as, smiling back, she gratefully ac-
cepted the crystal tempter and raised it
to her lips. But scarcely had she done
so when every hand was arrested by her
piercing exclamation of "Oh. how ter
rible!" "What is itP" cried one and
all, thronging together, for she had
slowly carried the glass at arm s length
and was fixedly regarding it as though
it were some hideous object ''Wait,"
she answered, while an inspired light
shone from her dark eyes; 'w&it, and l
will tell you. see," she added, slowly
pointing one jeweled. finger at the
sparkling ruby liquid, ''a sight that
beggars all description; and yet listen;
l will paint it for you if can. 1t is a
lonely spot, tall mountains, crowned
with verdure, rise in awful sublimity
around; ariver runs through, and bright
flowers grow to the waters edge. There
is a thick warm mist that the sun seeks
vainly to pierce; trees, lofty and beau
tiful, wave to the airy motion of the
birds; but there, group of Indians
gather; they fit to and fro with some
thing like sorrow upon their dark brow;
and in their midst lies a manly form,
but his cheek how deathly; his eye wild
with the fitful fire of fever One friend
stands beside him, nay, I should say,
kneels, for he is pillowing that poor
head upon his breast.
Genius in ruins Oh! the high, holy
looking brow! Why should death
mark it, AMI he so young? Look how
he throws aside his damp curls! see
him clasp his hands! hear his thrilling
shrieks for life! mark how he clutches
at the form of his companion, implor-
ing to be saved. Oh! hear him call
piteously his fathers name, see him
Irvine his fingers together as he shrieks
for his sister-his only sister-the twin
of his soul-weeping for him in his dis
tant native land.
s'See!" she exclaimed, while the
bridal party shrank back, the untasted
wine tremoling in their faltering grasp,
and the Judge fell, overpowered, upon
his seat; ''see! his arms are lifted to
Heaven; he prays, how wildly, for
mercy; hot fever now rushes through
his veins. The friend beside him is
weeping; awe-stricken, the dark men
move silently and leave the living and
dying together"
There was hush in that princely
parlor, broken only by what seemed a
smothered sob, from some manly
bosom. The bride stood yet upright,
with quiveripg lip, and tears stealing to
the outward edge of her lashes. Her
beautiful arm had lost its tension, and
the glass, with its little troubled red
waves, came slowly towards the range
of her vision. She spoke again; every
lip was mute. Her voice was low,
faint. yet awfully distinct; she still
fixed her sorrowful glance upon the
wine cup.
ut is evening now; the great white
moon is coming up. and her beams lay
gently upon his forehead. He moves
not, his eyes are set in their sockets;
dim are their piercing glances; in vain
his friend whispers the name of father
and sister-death is there. Death! and
no soft hand, no gentle voice to bless
and soothe him. His head sinks back!
one convulsiye shudder! he is dead!''
A groan ran through the assembly,
so vivid was her description, so unearth-
ly her look, so inspired her manner,
that what she described seemed actual
" to have taken place then and there.
They noticed also that the bridegroom
hid his face in his hands and was weep
ing.
"Deadf' she repeated again, her
lips quivering faster and faster, and her
voice more and more broken; land
there they scoop him grave; and there,
without shroud. they lay him down
in the damp, reeking earth. The only
son of proud father, the only idoEzed
brother of fond sister. And he sleeps
to-day in that distant country, with no
stone to mark the spot. There he lies
my fathers sonny own twin broth
er! a victim to this deadly poison.
Father" she exclaimed, turning sud-
denly, while the tears rained down her
beautiful cheeks, father, shall I drink
it now?"
The form of the old Judge was con-
vulsed with agony. He raised his head,
but in a smothered voice he faltered:
mo, no, my child, in Gods name,
no."
She lifted the glittering goblet, and
letting it suddenly fall to the floor it
was dashed into a thousand pieces.
Many fearful eye watched her move
ments, and instantaneously every wine
glass was transferred to the marble
table on which it had been prepared.
Then as she looked at the fragments of
crystal, she turned to the company.
saying: LET no friend, hereafter, who
loves me, tempt me to peril my soul
for wine. Not frmer the everlasting
hills than my resolve, God helping me.
never to touch or taste that terrible
poison. And he to whom [ have given
my hand; who watched over my
brothers dying form in that last sol
emn hour, and buried the dear wander
er there by the river in that land of
gold, will, trust, sustain me in that
resolve. VIII you not, my husband?"
His glistening eyes, his sad, sweet
smile was her answer.
The Judge left the room, and when