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The Silver Cup

The Silver Cup image
Parent Issue
Day
25
Month
April
Year
1862
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The place of the Duke de Montre was decorated fur a bamjuet. A thousand was lights burned in its etately rooms, making thein as brigbt as mid-day. - AlciiL' the waïla glowed tbc priceless lapestry of tho Gobeünes, and beneatb the foot lsy the fabrica of Persia. liare vaeei, filled with flowen, stood on the innrble stauds, and their breath went up like incensé bifore "the lifo-like pictures ghining in their go'don frames above. - In the great hall stood immenso tables, coveredwith delicaciesfrom all lands and climes. Upon the sideboard glittored massive plate, and the rieh glass of Marano. Music, now low and soft, now bold aud high, floatcd in throngh the open casement, aud was answered at intervals by tonos of magie sweotness. All was ready. The Hoble and gifted poured into the gorgcous saloons. Silks rus tled, plumes wave-d, and jeweled embroideries flashcd frnm Gunoa velvets - Courtly congrntnlations feil trom every lip, for the Duke de Montre had made a step in the path to power. Wit sparkled, the lugh went rouud, and his gucsts plcdged liiai in wine that a huudrcd years had mellowed. Proudly the Duke replied; but his brow darkeued and his check paled with passion, for bis son sat motionless before bis uutasted cup. ' Wherefore is Una?" he angrily demuuded. " When did my lirst bom learn to insult his father ?" ïhe graceful stripling sprang from bis seat, and knelt meekly before bis parent. His sunny eurls feil back from his upturned face, and his youthful countenance was radiaut witb a brave aud geuerous Bpirit. Father," he said, I last night learned a lessou that sunk into my heait. Let me repen t it, aud then at thy commaud I vvill drain the cup. I s:iw a laborer staiid at the door of a gay shop. He held in his hand the carnings of a weck, aud his wifc, vt'ith a sic-kl}' babc and two famishiug little ones, eluug to bis garments and besought him not to enter. ííe tore bimself away, for his thirst was stroug, and but for the c:ire of a stranger, his family would have perished. '; We went on, fnd, father, a eitizen of noble air and majestic form descended the widc steps of his fine mansion. His wife put back tho curtains, and watchcd hrm eagerly, as he rode away. Bhe was ver7, very lovely, fairer than any lady af the court, but the shade of a sad heart ivas fr.st falling on her beauty. Wc saw !ier gaze arouud upon the dedolato splcnJor of her saloon, aud then clasp ber hands in the wild agony of despair. - Whcn we returncd, .her busband lay lielpless on a couch, aud she sat weeping beside him. " Once more we paused. A carriace stood before a paiaee. It was rieh with 3urnished gold, and thcarmorial hearings of a Duko.were visible íq the moon-beanis We wuitcd for its owuor to alight, but ie did uot movu, and he gave no orders. 3oon the servants cauic crowding out; sorrowfully, they lifted hiua iu their drm?, and I saw that souie of the jewels were torn from his mantle, and his )lumed cap was crushcd and soiled, as f by the pressure of ïnany foot steps. - They bore hitu into the paiaee, aud 1 wondered if the duehess wept hko the Deautiful wife of the citizen. " As I looked on all this, my tutor ;old me that it was the work of the red wine; whieh leaps gaily up, and lauglis over its vietims, in demon merriineut. 1 shuddcred, falher, and resolved never again to taste it, lest I, too, should fall But your word is law to me. Shall I drain the cup ?" "No, my son, touch it not. It is poison. as thy tutor told thee, It fh-e's the rain, weakeug the intellect, destroys the soul. Put it away from thee, and so thou shalt grow up wise and good, a blessing :o thyself aud to thy country." He glanced around the circle. Suririse and admiration were on every face, ind, moved by the same impulse, all aróse, whilo one of their number spoke. " Thou hast done nobly, boy," he said, " and the rebuke sliall uot soon be forjotten. We have congratulated thv father upou tho acquisition of konors, which may pass with the passing season. We now congratúlate him upon that best of all possessions, a son worthy of Fiance, and of himself." Tlie haughty courtiers bowed a glowing aesent, and each clasped the hand of the boy. But the father touk him to lus heart, and even now, among the treasured relies of the family, is numbered that gilver cup.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus