Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-11-27
From the Ladies' Companion.
THE OLD DEACON.
ny ANN 8. STEPHENS.


that the very air seemed more holy than on
other days. The dew was floating in veil
Of soft mist from the meadows on School
Hill, where the sunshine came warmly, while
the wld-howers in the valley lay in shadow
still heavy with the night rain. The trees
which fcathered the hill sides, were wildly
green, and Castle Rock towered---a magni-
fccnt picture-is base washed by the water,
and darkcned by unbrokcn shadow, while
soft fleecy cloud, woven and impregnated
with svery light, foated among its topmost
cliffs. The two villages lay upon their OPP
postc hills, with the deep river gliding be-
tween, like miniature cities, deserted by the
feet of men; not sound arose to disturb the
sweet music Of nature, for it was the hour
of morning prayer, and there was scarcely
hcartl,-stOne which, at that time, was not
made domestic altar. 1T last deep bell
tone came sweeping over the valley from the
Episcopal stceple, was answered by a cheer
ful peal from the belfry of our new academy.
the reverberations were still sounding, mel
lowed by the distant rocks, when the hithcr-
to silent village seemed suddenly tccming
with lifc.-The dwclling-houscs were flung
open, and the Inhabitants came forth in smil-
ing family groups, prepared for worship.
Gradually they divided into separate parties.
The Prcsbyterians walked slowly toward the
huge old Westinghouse, and the more galy-
dressed EpiscopaIians seeking their more
fashionable house of worship. 1t was plea
SAINT sight-those people, simple in their hab-
its, yet stern if not bigoted sectarians, gath
ering together for so good purpose. Old
/ nnnnIo onf nd fail and ura II
mothers, with the blossom of the grave on
the aged temples. Children, with their rosy
cheeks and sunny eyes, rendered more rosy
and more bright with pride of their white
frock, pretty straw bonnets, and pink
wreaths. 1t was pleasantto see the little men
and women striving in vain to subdue their
bounding steps, and SCHOOL, their sparkling ia
ces to a solemni,y BETTING the occasion.
There, might be seen newly married pair
walking bashfully apart not daring to VEN
ture on the unprecedented boldncss Of linking
arms in public, yet feeling very awkward,
and almost envying another couple who led
a roguish little girl between them. Shea
mischicvous little thing-all the time excrting
from her mothers grasp-pouting her cher
ry lips when either of her scandalizcd pa
rents checked her bounding step or too moi
sy patte, and at last, subdtied only by intense
admiration of her red morocco shoes, as they
flashed in and out like brace of woodlies
beneath her spotted muslin dress. \
Apart from the rest, and, perhaps, linger-
ing along the greensward which grew rcl
and thick on either side of the high way
another group, perchance, was gathered
Young girls, schoolmales and friends, witt
their heads bending together, and smiles
dimplinp their fresh lips, all doubtless con-
versng about sacred themes betting the day
Such was the aspect of our village on the
Sabbath, when the subject Of this little sketcl
takes us to the old Presbyterian meeting
house on School Hill, a sombrc, ancient pile
already familiar to those of our readers who
have read the "Homc Sketches" preceding
this.
Our academy bell had not ceased ringing
whenthe congregation came slowly in through
the different doors of the meeting house, anc
arranged themselves at will in the sqnare
pews which crowded the body. The minis.
ter had not yet arrived, "a circumstance which
occurred to some of the congregation as some.
what singular. Twenty years he lad beel
their pastor, and during that time, had never
once kept his congregation waiting.
At length he appeared at the southern en-
trance, and walked up the aisle, followed
by his grcy-headcd old deacon. The minis
paused at the foot of the pulpit stairs, ant
with a look of deep and respectful reverence
held the door of the deacon's seat" Will,
the old man passed in. That little attention
went to the deacon's heart; he raised hi
heavy eyes to the pastor with meek ano
heart-touchng expression of gratitude, tina
softencd many who looked upon it, even I,
tears. The minister turned away and wen
up the stairs, not in his usual sedate manner
but hurricdly, and with unsteady footsteps
When he arrived in the pulpit, those who sa
in the gallery saw him fall upon his knees
bury his face in his hands, and pray earnest
y, and, il might be, weep, for when III
arose, his eyes were dim and flushed.
Directly after the entrance of the mnistc
and deacon, came two females, one tai
spare woman, with thin features, very pale
and bespeaking continued but meekly endur
ed suffering. There was beautiful ant
quakcr-like simplicity in the book muslin
'kerchicf folded over the bosom of her blacl
silk dress, with the corners drawn under tin
riband band in front, and pinned smooth,
to the dress behind.--IIer gray hair was par
cd neatly under the black straw bonnet, ant
those who knew her, remarked that it Ina,
gained much of its silver since she had las
entered that door. In her arms the marol
; bore rosy infant robed in long white frocl
: and an embroidered cap. 4 faint color brok'
into her sallow cheek, for though she did no
look up, it seemed to her as if every eye il
| that assembly was turned upon her burlhen
They were all her neighbors, many of then
kind and truthful friends who had knelt a
. the same communion table with her for years
But she could not meet their eyes, nor force
that tinge of shame from her pure cheek bu
moved humby forward, weighed to the dus
with sense of humiliation and suffering.
slight, fair creature walked by her side, part
= ~ shrinking behind her all the way, pale AM
dropping like crushed lilly. 1t was tn
dcacon's daughter, and tn. babe was hers
n 4.