The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-02-23
THE LOST BRIDEGROOM.

In rugged and mountainous district
of Wales is sill uated mining village,
noted for this little story which the
miners tell to tleir children.
Years ago in the 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 young boy when he
first descended into the mines with his
father.
One evening, as the old miner was
returning home from Il neighboring
village, his attention was attracted by
little girl. She was weeping bitterly.
A few broken. almost inarticulate
words told that she had been deserted
by her mother. The child, weary and
hungry, had cried itself to sleep, and
while she was sleeping the unnatural
parent had forsaken her.
The old man was touched by the
incident. Raising her tenderly in his
arms, he wended his way homeward.
Entering the cottage he placed the
light burden in his wife's lap, saying:
"God 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 your
The dame pressed the good mans
hand affectionately in reply, and Amy
for so the child was called-was soon
seated before simple repast.
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, charm about hei
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
named, and was locked forward to as
an occasion of general rejoicing. The
happy day arrived, work was suspended
that all might join in the merry-mak'
ing.
Taking the hand of the trembling
girl within his own, Alick, according tc
the long-established customs of the
village, led the way to the little vine
covered church, where the parish priest
blessed their love. Children strewed
flowers by the way-side and sang gay
songs. Each guest had made modest
offering, but to no one would Alicl
confide the nature of his gift, wishing
as he did, to excite an agreeable sur
prise.
When they had returned to the cot
tage AIick kissed his wife, telling hel
he would leave her but for a short sea
san. He left the house, and, with one
lingering look at the doorwaywhel g Am!
stood waving a merry adieu, he hur
ried off in the direction of the ole
mines, and curve in the road soon hiC
him from view. AS his 1.-THE fgur
disappeared Amy uttered a faint sigh
suggestive of a dull forebodlng evil o
the fullness of her mirthful joy.
Days passed and search had beel
made everywhere. Weeks followed
then months. But the bridegroom diI
not return. Nor could his absence an,
strange disappearance be accounted ioI
No clew was gained by those VIII
searched untiringly. At length hop
was abandoned. The widowed brid
clung tenaciously TO one idea. whic
seemed almost like II folly-in life @
death, sbe would see her husband agai
before she was called away from eartl
This belief Afforded her comfort, an
the neighbors, while they did not shar
the conviction, humored her in tn
thought, and spokeIregretfully of the sa
changes that sorrow had wrought in he
fresh young face.
Forty years were gone. and but for th
sad, wistful face of old Amy, and til
whispered stories of the peasantry, til
unaccountahle disappearance of Alic
would have been forgotten. But TIL
tale told in all under breath by many
hearth was. that Allck had been carrie
off by an evil spirit, with whom he ha
held compact. Many even went so fl
as TO ray that his soul haunted the ol
cottage, and had been EN- durin
stormy nights in the mountains. An
indeed asserted that she often heard h
voice calling her, and the light TIN
burned always from nightfall unit
dawn in her easement told that h,
her heart ever KEPT vigil over his fat
The old cottage continued to
thought haunted by ghosty visitor
and because of this superstition nol
would occupy it. 1t gradually fell IN
decay. The women Of the village raT
ly lassed the dead miners house wit
out offering prayer for the restle
R0nl