Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-02

"
tusks of the boar grinned horribly among
cross bows and battle axes, and huge
pair of antlers branched Immediately over
the head of the youthful bridegroom.
The cavalier took but little notice of the
company or entertainment. He scarcely
tasted the banquet, but seemed absorbed
in admiration of his bride. He conversed
| in low tone that could not be overheard
for the language of love is never loud;
but where is the female ear so dull that it
cannot catch the softest whisper OF the
lover? There was mingled tenderness
and gravity in his manner that appeared
to have powerful effect upon the young
| lady. Her color came and went as she
listened with deep attention. Now and
then she made some Flushing reply, and
when his eye was turned away she would
steal sidelong glance at his romantic
countenance, and heave gentle sigh OF
tender happiness. 1t was evident that the
young couple were completely enamored.
The aunts. who were deeply versed in the
mysteries of the heart, declared that they
had fallen in love with each other at first
sight.
The feast went on merrily, at least,
noisly. for the guests were all blessed
with those keen appetites that attend upon
| light purses and mountain air. The
Baron told his best and longest stories.
and never had he told them so we'll
or with such great effect. If there was
anything facesious, thew were sure to
laugh exactly in the right place. The
| Baron, it is true, like most great men, was
too dgnified to utter any joke but dull
one; it was always enforced. however, by
a bumper of excellent Hochheimer; and
even a dull joke, at one's table, served up
with Jolly old wine, is irresistible. Many
good things were said by poorer and keen
er wits, that would not bear repeating ,ex-
cepting on similar occasions; many sly
speeches whispered in ladies' ears, that
almost convulsed them with suppressed
laughter; and song or two roared out
by "a poor but merry and broad faced
cousin of the Baron, that absolutely made
the maiden aunts hold up their fans.
Amid all this revelry the stranger guest
maintained most singular and unseason-
able gravity. His countenance assumed
a deeper cast of detection as the evening
advanced. and, strange as it may appear,
even the Baron's jokes seemed only to
render him the more melancholy. At time
he was lost in thought, and at times there
was a perturbed and restless wandering
of the eye that bespoke mind but i'll at
ease. His conversation with the bride
became more and more earnest and mvs-
FERROUS. Lowering clouds began to steal
over the fair serenity OF her brow, and
tremors to run through her tender frame
All this could not escape the notice of
the company. Their gayety was chilled
hy hn ~, 81 tk I,,;I
groom their spirits were infected; whis-
perS and glances were interchanged &C.
companied by shrugs and dubious shakes
OF the head. The song and the laugh
grew less and less frequent; there were
dreary pauses in the conversation. which
were at length succeeded by wild tales
and supernatural legends. One dismal
story produced another still more dismal,
and the Baron nearly frightened some of
the ladies into Mysteries with the history
of the goblin horseman that carried away
the fair Leonora-a dreadful but true his
tory, which has since been put into excel
lent verse, and is read and believed by all
the world
The bride groom listened to this tale
with profound attention. He kept his eyes
steadily fixed on the Baron. and as the
story drew to a close, began gradually to
rise from his seat, growing taller and tall
er, until. in the Baron's entraDced eye,
he seemed almost to tower into giant.
The moment the tale was finished, he
heaved deep sigh and took a solemn
farewell of the company. They were all
amazement The Baron was perfectly
thunderstruck.
what! going to leave the castle at
midnight? why, everything was prepared
for his reception; a chamber was ready
for him if he wished to retire"
The stranger shook his head mournfully
and mvsteriouslv: Il must lay nv head
in different chamber to-nightr'
(Tc be continued.