The Toll Gatherer's Day (From "Twice Told Tales") — John Shaqi
The Toll Gatherer's Day (From "Twice Told Tales")Hawthorne, Nathaniel
General
The Toll Gatherer's Day (From "Twice Told Tales")
Hawthorne, Nathaniel
Historical fiction, American; New England -- Social life and customs -- Fiction; Short stories
It is a harouche of the newest style, the varnished panels of which
reflect the whole moving panorama of the landscape, and show a picture,
likewise, of our friend, with his visage broadened, so that his
meditative smile is transformed to grotesque merriment. Within, sits a
youth, fresh as the summer morn, and beside him a young lady in white,
with white gloves upon her slender bands, and a white veil flowing down
over her face. But methinks her blushing cheek burns through the snowy
veil. Another white-robed virgin sits in front. And who are these, on
whom, and on all that appertains to them, the dust of earth seems never
to have settled? Two lovers, whom the priest has blessed, this blessed
morn, and sent them forth, with one of the bridemaids, on the matrimonial
tour. Take my blessing too, ye happy ones! May the sky not frown upon
you, nor clouds bedew you with their chill and sullen rain! May the hot
sun kindle no fever in your hearts! May your whole life's pilgrimage be
as blissful as this first day's journey, and its close be gladdened with
even brighter anticipations than those which hallow your bridal night!
They pass; and ere the reflection of their joy has faded from his face,
another spectacle throws a melancholy shadow over the spirit of the
observing man. In a close carriage sits a fragile figure, muffled
carefully, and shrinking even from the mild breath of summer. She leans
against a manly form, and his arm infolds her, as if to guard his
treasure from some enemy. Let but a few weeks pass, and when he shall
strive to embrace that loved one, he will press only desolation to his
heart!
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