Members watch your mail for our latest Rootprints newsletter and the article about Frozen Charlotte by Kristi Johnson, Rootprints Editor. The attached images are of the Frozen Charlotte dolls in the Societys collection. Kristi has provided a copy of the poem (see below). A Corpse Going to a Ball, or Fair Charlotte Now, Charlotte lived on the mountainside, in a bleak and dreary spot, There was no house for miles around, except her fathers cot; And yet on many a wintry night young swains were gathered there, For her father kept a social board, and she was very fair. One New Years Eve as the sun went down, far looked her wishful eye, Out from the frosty window pane as merry sleighs went by; In a village fifteen miles away, was to be a ball that night, And though the air was heavy and cold, her heart was warm and light. How brightly beamed her laughing eye, as a well-known voice was heard, And driving up to the cottage door, her lovers sleigh appeared; O, daughter dear, her mother cried, This blanket round you fold, It is a dreadful night tonight, youll catch your death of cold. O, nay! O, nay! young Charlotte cried, and she laughed like a gypsy queen, To ride in blankets muffled up, I never would be seen; My silken cloak is quite enough, you know tis lined throughout, Besides, I have my silken scarf to twine my neck about. Her bonnet and her gloves were on, she stepped into the sleigh, Rode swiftly down the mountain side, and oer the hills away; With muffled face and silent lips, five miles at length were passed, When Charles with few and shivering words, the silence broke at last. Such a dreadful night I never saw, the reins I scarce can hold. Fair Charlotte shivering faintly said, I am exceeding cold. He cracked his whip, he urged his steed much faster than before, And thus five other dreary miles in silence were passed oer. Said Charles, How fast the shivering ice is gathering on my brow. And Charlotte still more faintly said, Im growing warmer now. So on they rode through frosty air and glittering cold starlight, Until at last the village lamps and the ballroom came in sight. They reached the door and Charles sprang out, he reached his hand for her, She sat there like a monument that has no power to stir; He called her once, he called her twice, she answered not a word, He asked her for her hand again, and still she never stirred. He took her hand in his - O, God! Twas cold and hard as stone, He tore the mantle from her face, cold stars upon it shone; Then quickly to the glowing hall, her lifeless form he bore, Fair Charlottes eyes were closed in death, her voice was heard no more. And there he sat down by her side, while bitter tears did flow, And cried, My own, my charming bride, you never more will know. He twined his arms around her neck, he kissed her marble brow, His thoughts flew back to where she said, Im growing warmer now. He carried her back to the sleigh, and with her he rode home, And when he reached the cottage door, O, how her parents mourned; Her parents mourned for many a year, and Charles wept in the gloom, Till at last her lover died of grief, and they both lie in one tomb.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:49:54 +0000
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