The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-03-24

TEMPERANCE NOTES.,
A BRIDES VISION. .s.'.-'...s.s
The Wonderful Revelat,on az Z Gl.s, NJ
| Wine. ..~ssa
The beautiful, bride grew rnle, tho
decisive hour had come, she pressed
her white hands together, and the
! leaves OF her bridal wreath trsm;led
on her pure brow; her breath came
quicker, her heart beat wilder From
her childhood she had been most SOL
EMMY opposed to the use of all wines
and liquors "Yes, Marion, Law aside
your scruples for this once" said the
judge. in low tone, going toward his
dsughtcr; 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 toward the
bridal pair: Marion's principles were
we'll known. Harry had been con-
| vivialist, but of4ate 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, it he was tied down to the wonn-
ans opinion SO soon. Pouring a brim.
ming beaker, they held it with tempt
ing smiles toward Marion. She was
very pale, though more composed. and
her hand shook not as smiling back she
gratefully accepted 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 terrible!'' what is it?"
cried one and all, thronging together,
for she had slowly carried the glass at
arms length. and was 'fixedly regard
ing 1t as though it were some hideous
object
wait" she answered. while an in.
spired light shone from her dark eyes,
wait. and will tell you. sec,' she
added, slowly pointing one jeweled
finger at the sparkling ruby liquid, "a
sight that beggars all descriptions; and
yet listen: l will paint it for you if I
can. 1t is a lonely spot; tall mountains,
crowned with verdure, rise in awful
sublimity around; a river 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 beautiful, wave to the
airy motion of the birds; but there, a
group OF Indians gather; they fit to
and fro with something like sorrow
upon their dark brows, and in their
midst lies a manly form, but his cheek,
how deathly; his eye wild with the it,
full fire of fever. One friend stands be-
side him, nay, should say kneels, for
he is pillowing that poor head upon
his breast Genius in ruins Oh! the
high, holy-loolzing brow! Why should
death mark it, and he so young? Look
how he throws the damp curls! See
him clasp his hands! Hear his thrill
ing shrieks for life! Mark how he
clutches at the form of his companion,
imploring to be saved. Oh! hear him
call piteously his fathers name; see
him Irvine his fingers together as he
shrieks for his sister-his onlv sister
the twin of his soul-weeping for him
in his native land. See," she ex-
claimed, while the bridal party shrank
back, the untasted wine trcm bling in
their taltering grasp, and the judge
fell. overpowered. upon his seat, see!
his arms are lifted up to Heaven, he
prays, how wildly, for mercy! Hot
fever 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 smothercd sob, from soma
manly bosom. The bride stood vet I'D.
right, with quivering lip, and tears steal
ing to the outward edge of her lashes
Her beautiful arm had lost its ten
sion, and the glass, with its LITTLE
troubled red waves, came slowly to-
ward the range of her vision. She
spoke again; every lip was mute Her
voice was low, faint, yet awfully dis
tlnct- She still fxel her sorrowful
glance upon the wine-cup. 1T is even
ing now; the great white moon is CON-
ing up and her beams lay gently on 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
convulsive shudder-he is dead!'
A groan ran through the assembly;
so vivid was her description, so un-
earthly her look, SO inspired her man.
ner, that what she described seemed
actually to have taken place then and
there. They noticed also that the
bridegroom hid his face in his hands
and was weeping. "Dead?' she repeat.
ed again, her lips quiveriny faster and
faster, and her voice more and more
broken, land there they scoop him a
grave; and there, without a shroud,
they lay him down in the damp reek-
ing earth. The only son of proud
father, the only idolized brother of a
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 brother, victim to
this deadly POISON. Father" she cx-
claimed, turning suddenly, while the
tears ralned down her beautiful cheeks,
father, shall I drink it now?'' The
form of the old judge was convulsed
with agony. He raised his head, but in
asmothered voice he faltercd: mo, no,
my child, in Gods name, no."
She lifted the glitterins goblet and
letting it suddenly fall to the floor it
was dashed into 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 to peril my soul for
wine. Not frmer the everlasting hills
than INV resolve God haln;nn ~.