Young Charlotte 1. Young Charlotte lived on the mountainside in a lonesome, dreary spot; No neighbors lived for miles around Near her father's lonely cot. 2. 'Twas on those cold and wintry nights Young swains would gather there. Her father kept a social place And Charlotte was very fair. 3. Her father liked to see her dressed Like any city belle; She was the only child he had, And he loved his daughter well. 4. On a New Year's Eve when the sun went down, She watched with wishful eye, Out through the frosty windowpane As the merry sleighs went by. 5. In a village fifteen miles away There was a ball that night; And though the air was piercing cold Her heart was warm and light. 6. How brightly gleamed her loving eyes As a well-known voice she heard; And dashing up to her cottage door Young Charlie's sleigh appeared. 7. "Oh, Charlotte, dear," her mother said, "This blanket 'round you fold; It is a dreadful night, you know, You'll catch your death of cold." 8. "Oh, no, oh, no," young Charlotte said, And she laughed like a gypsy queen, "To ride in blankets muffled up, I never would be seen. 9. "My silken cloak is quite enough, It is lined, you know, throughout; Besides I have my silken scarf To tie my head about." 10. Her bonnet and her gloves put on, She leaped into the sleigh, And away they went o'er the mountain top And the hills so far away. 11. There was music in the sound of bells As o'er the hills they'd go. What a crackling noise the runners made As they bit the frozen snow. 12. With faces muffled silently, For five long miles they rode, Until at length with a few frozen words, Young Charles the silence broke. 13. "Such a dreadful night I never saw, The reins I scarce can hold." Young Charlotte faintly then replied, "I am exceeding cold." 14. He cracked his whip; he urged his steed, Much faster than before; And thus five other weary miles In silence were passed o'er. 15. Said Charles: "How fast the shivering ice Is gathering on my brow." And Charlotte then more faintly cried, "I'm growing warmer now." 16. Thus on they rode through frosty air And the glittering cold starlight, Until at last the village lamps And the ballroom came in sight. 17. They reached the door and Charles sprang out; He reached his hand to her. "Why sit you there like a monument That has no power to stir?" 18. He called her once; he called her twice; She answered not a word. He asked her for her hand again, But still she never stirred. 19. He took her hand all in his own; It was cold and hard as stone; He tore the mantle from her face, And the cold stars on her shone. 20. Then quickly to the lighted hall Her lifeless form he bore. Young Charlotte's eyes had closed for all; Her voice was heard no more. 21. He threw himself down on his knees And the bitter tears did flow. He said, "My young, intended bride, No more with me you'll go." 22. He threw himself down by her side, And he kissed her marble brow, And his thoughts ran back to the place she said, "I'm growing warmer now."