The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-24
woe. a...NO. DIV.


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search of her mothers. The old lady looked
on her with fond grief, whispered soothing
words, and tenderly pressed the little hand that
so imporingly besought her pity. Still the
poor girl tTembled, and shrunk in her seat as if
she would have crept away from every human
eye.
The minister arose, his face looked calm,
but the paper which contained the young girls
confession, shook violently in his hands as he
unrolIeiit. Julia knew that 1t was her dutyto
arise. She put forth her hand, grasped the
carved work of the seat, and stood upright until
the reading was finished, staring, all the time,
wildly, in the pastors face, as if she wondered
what il could all be about. She sat down
again, pressed hand over her eyes, and seemed
asking God 10 give her more strength.
The minister descended from the pulpit, for
there was yet 10 be another ceremony; bap-
tism Of the infant. The gentle, eTTing girl was
u 90 up alone with the child of her shame, that
it might be dedicated to God before the con-
gregation. She arose with touching calmness,
took the babe from her mothers arms, and
stepped into the aisle. She wavered at first,
and keen sense of shame dyed her face, neck,
and very hands, with painful flash Of Grim
son. but as she passed the pew where young
Lee was sitting, an expression Of proud an
tears, and she walked steadily forward to the
communion. table in front of her fathers seat.
There was not a fearless eye in the whole con-
gregation. Aged, stern men, bowed their
heads 10 conceal the sympathy betrayed there.
Young girls-careless, light hearted creatures,
| who, never breathing of the frailty Of their own
natures, had reviled the fallen girl, now wept
and sobbed to see her thus publicly hnnbled.
Young / e became powerfully agitaied; his
face flushed hotly, then turned very pale, and
at last he started up, flung open the pew door,
and hurried up the aisle with disordered and
unequal step
What namei' inquired the pastor, bending
| toward the young mother, as he took the child
! from her arms.
Before she had time TO speak, Lee stood by
her side, and answered in a loud, steady voice,
| THAT of his father. James Lee"
The trembling of that poor girls frame was
| visible through the whole house, her hand
dropped on the table, and she leaned heavily
upon it for support, but did not look up. The
minister dipped his hand in the antique China
bowl, laid it upon the habe's forehead, ana IN
clear voice, pronounced the name. faintcrY
broke from tine child, as the cold drops fell on
his face. The sound seemed TO arouse all the
hitherto unknown and mysterious feelings of
maternity sumbeTing in the young fathers heart
svely he extended his arms ard received the IN
FAINT. His broad chest hsaved beneath its tiny
form, and his eyes seemed fascinated by the
deep blue orbs which the little creature raised
smilingly and full wonder 10 his face. Lee
boreson his down the aisle, laid himgently in his
astonished grandmother's lap, and returned to
the pulpit again. Julia still had moved little
and overcome with agitation, leaned heavily a.
gainst the railing of the pulpit-stalrs. Lee
; bent his head, and whispered few earnest
words, and held forth his hand. She stood, for
a moment, like one bewildered, gave a doubt
full. troubled look into his eyes, and laid her
! hand in his He drew her gently to the table
and in firm, respectful voice, requested the
minister to commence the marriage service.
The pastor looked puzzled and irresolute.-
The whole proceeding was so unexpected and
strange that he lost all presence of mind. "A
punishment is necessary to our laws he said,
at length, casting look on the deacon, but the
old man remained motionless, with his hands
clasped over the railing, and his face bowed
upon them. Thinking him too much agitated
to SPEAK. and uncertain of his dutT, the divine
lifted his voice and demanded if any one pre-
sent had aught TO say against marriage be-
tween the two persons standing before him.
Every face in that church was turned on the
deacon, bat he remained silent and motionless,
so the challenge was unanswered, and the min
, lister felt compelled to proceed with the cereMe-
nv, for he remembered what was, at first, for
gotten, that the pair had been published accord
Ing 10 law, months before, when Lee had
without given reason, refused to fulfil his con
: tract ''
T The brief but impressive ceremony wa
Il soon over, aud with an expression OF NOR
F., true happiness than had ever been wltnesse
G on his fine features, before, Lee conducted nj
+ wife to her mother, and placed himself res
4 I pectfully by her side. The poor BRIDE wa
d scarcely seated when she barred her face Il
her handkerchief: and burst into passion o
tears, which seemed as if it never would b
checked. The congregation went out. In
young people gathered about the doors, taikln
D ever The late strange scene, while few fnem
bers fingered behind, 10 speak with the dea
/. cons wife before they left the church. Lee an
his companione stood in their pew, lookin
anxiously toward the old man. lhere wa
something unnatural i'll his motionless positio
which sent thrill through the matron's hear
and chained her to the floor as if she had sud
denly turned to marble. The minister cam
! down the pulpit stairs, and advancing TO tn
5 old man. laid his hand kindly upon the wlthere
d fingers clasped over the railing; he turne
S very rsle for the hand which he touched wa
It cold and stiifened in DEATH The old man wa
O feeble with grief, and whe' hyoung Lee appeare
h before him his heart broke amid therush OF II
V strong feelings. Rs
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