The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-03-30
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
A BRIDAL STORY.
The Wonderful Revelation of Glass o
Wine.

lh6 heSeIhttUu VI u uidss OI
Wine.
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 sol
EMMY opposed to the use of all wines
and liquors Yes, Marion, lay aside
your scruples for this once" said the
judge, in a low tone, going toward 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 toward the
bridal pair. Marion's principles were
well known Harry had been 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, if he was tied down to the wom-
ans opinion so soon. Pouring 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 it as though it were some hideous
object.
Wait" she answered. while an in
spired light shone from her dark eyes,
wait, and l will, tell you. see" 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
can. 1t is lonely spot; tall mountains,
crowned with verdure, rise in awful
sublimity around; river runs through,
and bright flowers grow to the waters
edge. There is O 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 fit.
full fire of fever. One friend stands be.
side him, nay, l 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. 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 only sister
the twin of his soul-weeping for him
in his native land. See," she ex-
claimed, while the bridal party shranh
back, the untasted wine trembling il
their faltering grasp, and the judge
fell, overpowered. upon his seat, ''see
his arms are lifted up to Heaven, hi
prays, how wildly, for mercy! Ho
fever PUSHES through his veins. Tit
friend beside him is weeping; awe
stricken, the dark men move silently
and leave the living and dyins
together" There was hush in tina
princely parlor, broken only by what
seemed smothered sob, from some
manly bosom. The bride stood yet up
right, with quivering lip, and tears steal
ing to the outward edge of her lashes.
Her beautiful arm had lost it's 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. Hel
voice was low, faint, yet awfully dis
tinct. She still fixel her sorrowfu
glance upon the wine-cup. 1t is even
ing now: the great white moon is com
ing up and her beams lay gently on hi.
forehead. He moves not; his eyes arr
set in their sockets; dim are theil
piercing glances; in vain his FRIEND
whispers the name of father and sisteI
death is there. Death! and no sof
hand, no gentle voice to bless ant
soothe him. His head sinks back, on
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 ant
there. They noticed also that tn,
bridegroom hid his face in his hand
and was weeping. "Dead?" she repeat
ed again, her lips quivering faster ant
faster, and her voice more and NOR
broken, land there they scoop him 1
grave; and there, without a shroud
they lay him down in the damp reels
ing earth. The only son of a prou,
father, the only idolized brother of
fond sister, and he sleeps to-day in tina
distant country with no stone to mari
the spot. There he lies-my father
SONNY own twin brother, victim +
this deadly poison. Father" she ex
claimed, turning suddenly, while tn
tears rained down her beautiful cheeks
father, shall drink it now?" TIL
form of the old judge was convulse,
with agony. He raised his head, but Il
a smothered voice he faltered: NO, nc
my child, in Gods name, no."
She lifted the glittering goblet, an
letting it suddenly fall to the floor
was dashed into a thousand piece.
Many fearful eye watched her move
ments, and instantaneously every wine
glass was transferred to the marbl
table on which it had been pre- pared