The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-06-12
The Bridal
BY JOHN LEMIS pEYroN.


ton. and 90 far to suhstantiate the assertion q
his friend that in defeating himself to prose III
sacrificed very serious claims of the muses.
Though we cannot claim with George d. Prem
tlce the possession of the divine atfiatuS, yet w
confess to share the tender feeling held by thai
lamented and gifted journalist for the gentle
fraternity of hards and their tuneful lays.-DR
Il. A. BROCK Editor of the Standard.
Upon the bright and verdant banks of Rhine,
Where sloping hills and fow'ry dale combine
To clothe fair nature i'll her gayest sheen,
And throw enchantment DER each lovely scene
An ancient castle reared in ages past,
But now with marks of time around her cast,
Proud Wonstein, once a Baron's lordly seat,
Deserted stands-for bats a lone retreat.
One autumn eve, brewing storm on high
With direful aspect filled the lowering sky;
The startling thunders DER the valley broke,
And sleeping nature to the storm awoke
The vivid lightning flashed with meteor blaze,
Illumed the darkness with its dazzling rays,
Hur1d the proud oak i'll fragments DER the
ground,
And scattered wreck and ruin all around.
A gallant knight returning from the war,
Saw WOnstein's lofty turrets from afar,
And turning from the road as quick as thought
With rapid pace the sheltering castle sought,
And soon approached the antiquated fort,
And passed the draw bridge to the inner court
A perfect form the Wondering mansion showed
And in the centre OF that old abode
Was once garden fair that far excelled
Whateer the muse has sung or eye beheld.
But now, how changed no flowers with artles.
grace
Adorn'd the paths to cheer this gloomy place,
His horses feet produced hollow sound,
That echoed through the empty chambers round
a n1l MI md To hor,A
But echo only answered to his calls,
Until at last, by weariness oppres't
To an inviting spot he turned to rest.
moment lost in thought, he then deserted
glimring light for which he quickly hied;
Through many long and gloomy halls he went
Upon this bold and eager search intent;
But soon the light he lost and saw no more
Until he came before All open door,
And stopp'd COMPOUNDED as the lustre bright
or angel beauty flashed upon his sight;
Then moved with nearer gaze those eyes to view
Which on the floor the bashfnl virgin threw.
With head reclining on her taper hand
Surprised she sat- though Keeping sef-command
Till he i'll gentle tones the silence broke,
And to the maid in words of greeting spoke.
She quickly raised her brightly beaming eyes,
But to his converse only bowed replies.
''Your pardon, lady! do not think me rude,
If on your gentle presence intrude,
And from the storm kindly shelter SEEK
Again she bowed her head, but did not speak.
lie deemed her mute reception icy cold,
And firm resolv'd the secret to unfold;
And While the storm in fury ragged without
He fondly hoped to solve the mystic doubt.
By cold and hunger he was now oppressed,
And frankly to the maid his wants confessed.
With graceful bow the lady rose in haste,
And tempting viands Oh the table placed;
And from her ashy lips no sound was heard;
She spoke by signs but uttered not a word
Her strange demeanor caused his blood to chill
While yet her lallor was more wondrous still;
And as he ate and drank the sparkling wine,
He gazed intent upon her form divine.
at length, eated by the tempting wine,
And quafflng still this nectar of the vine,
He grew emboldened, and al once essayd
The truth to learn addressing thus the maid:
1.-THE daughter of what valiant knight art thou?''
To which she answered only with bow;
Then cast her Dyes across the ancient hall,
And pointed to portrait on the wall.
1t was knight OF bold and lofty men,
OF stately air and dignity SERENE
or massive brow, and calm and dauntless eye,
Whose costume spoke of ages long gone by.
The damsel then her dreadful silence broke,
And sadly to the knightly soldier spoke.
i am" said she. 'of my proud race the last
A line of some renown in ages past;
This broad domain is mne-you're welcome
here.''
This broad domain is mine, - rang in his ear.
The youth was poor, and with another view
He thought her lovely, though of pallid hue:
And now he felt that Loves unerring dart
Had caused pang within his throbbing heart.
Oh sacred Love thou art tender flower,
And grosser passions oft usurp the power;
Accused gold lights up a fiercer flame
That reigns supreme in every age the same
Der fallen man, and holds unbounded sway
To drive each nobler impulse far away.
Advancing to the maid, with manner bland
He quickly took her not unwilling hand.
Twas Icy cold; and as it touched his own
deadly chill pierced to the very bone;
And deeming that his lips would warmth impart
He kiss'd her hand, and press'd her to his heart
fervor that the sparkling hook awoke
Had made him wondrous bold. and thus he
spoke:
Art thou, fair dame, in thy affections free?
And may hope thy cherished friend to be?''
modest blush suffused her lovely face;
She bowed assent with dignity and grace;
thousand newborn charms to him appeared,
And stified hopes within his bosom reared.
With rising fears and anxious doubts inspired,
And still with Loves most ardent passion fired,
The stricken knight now ventured to declare
His deep devotion to the lady fair.
Well now he played the amorous lovers part
And fondly pledged to her his hand and heart,
With solemn oath to honor and defend
His only lOve-this last and dearest friend.
A happy smile was on her lips displayed,
While in her look fond rapture was betrayed,
And DER her face, before of wanlke hue,
The bloom OF roses burst upon the view.
She rose and took from off a table there
Two massive rings adorned with brilliants rare.
Soon on his hand shone one with lustre bright,
The other decked her own of lily white;
And then in haste mystic wreath she twined
OF cypress twigs and rosemary combined,
And placed the fatal emblem on her head
A fearful omen, fraught with hOrrid dread
With flashing eyes and bearing of command
She bade him follow with her waving hand,
And quickly to an open door she went,
Upon some vague, mysterious mission bent;
While thro' his heart unearthly terrors shot,
All! fain would he have vanished from the spot.
Two holy priests, arrayed in black appeared
And took between them quick the bridal pair
With CHASTITY smiles and strangely hideous stare
And now he saw that to retreat were vain,
For countless knights made up the nuptial train
With solemn tread they marched in silent gloom
Mid sculptured forms upon each honored tomb.
That seemed to mock them with cxulting smiles.
While dirge-like music sounded through the
aisles,
Until they stood before the affairs face,
And silence reigned within that solemn place.
With hollow voice pious father cried:
"Wilt thou Won Stein take Bertha for tiny bride?''
While these dread words broke on his startled
ear
And filed his soul with more than mortal fear
As Aspen leaves, so shook the fainting knight
He gasp'd and nature faded from his sight.
The harbinger Of morn, bright chanticleer,
Proclaimed the "Reign Of Terror ended here;
And while the vision melted into air
The knight awoke, and with bewildered stare
I,eheld his charger grazing in the court.
Himself the only tenant of the fort;
While bright aurora bllshed with roseate CLEAN
To cheer the hero Of this mystic dream.
William L. Royal, as counsel for the
States creditors, has commenced three
suits against certain officers OF the city
of Richmond, in the United States Cir
cult Court, for $4,000 in each case. The
suits are the outcome of the recent de-
cision of the United States Supreme