Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-11-27

mothers arms, and stepped into the aisle.
She wavcrcd at first, and keen sense OF
shame dyed her face, neck and very hands,
with painful flush of crimson, but as she
passed the pew where young Lee was sitting
an expression of proud anguish came to her
face, her eyes filled with tears, and she walk
cd steadily forward to the communicable,
in front of her fathers seat. There was not
a fearless eye in that whole congregation.
Aged, stern men, bowed their heads to con-
ccal the sympathy betrayed there. Young
light-hcarted creatures, who,
never dreaming Of the frailty of their own
natures, had rcvlcd the fallen girl, now wopt
and sobbcd to sec her thus publicly humblcd
Young Lee became powerfully agitatcd; his
breast hcavcd, his face flushed holly, then
turned very pale, and at last he started up,
flung open the pew door, and hurried up the
aisle with dlsordcrcd and unequal step.
"What namc!" 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 ofhis 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 on it for support, but did not look up.
The minister dipped his hand in the antique
China bowl, ladit upon the babes forehead,
and, in a clear voice, pronounced the name.
A faint cry broke from the child as the cold
drops fell on its face. The noise seemed to
arouse all the hitherto unknown and mystic
rious feelings of paternity slumbering i'll the
Young fathers heart. His eye kindled, hls
check glowcd, and impulsivcly he extended
his arms and received the infant. His broad
chest lcaved beneath its tiny form, and his
eyes seemed fascinated by the deep blue orbs
which the little creature raised smilnely and
full of wonder to his face. Lee bore his sou
down the aisle, laid him gently in his aston
ished grandmother's lap, and rcturcd to the
pulpit again. Julia still had moved a little
and overcome with agitation, leaned heavily
against the railing of the pulpit stairs. Lee
bent his head, and whispered few earnest
words, and held forth his hand. She stood
for moment, like one bcwildcrcd, gave &
doubtful, troubledlook into his eyes, and lait
her hand in his. He drew her gently to tho
table, and ina firm, respectful voice, request
. cd the minister to commence the marriage
service.
The pastor looked puzzled and irrcsolntc
The whole proceeding wus so unexpected
and strange, that even he lost all presence o
mind, GA punishment is necessary to on
laws" he said, at length, casting look OF
the deacon, but the old man remained motion
less, with his hands claspcd over the railing
and his face bowed upon them. Thinking
him too much agitatcd to speak, and unccr
tain Of his duty, the divine lifted his voice au
demanded i(any one present had aught t
say against marriage between the two per
sons standing before him.
Every face in that church was turned o
the deacon, but he remained silent and mo
, tionlcss, so the challenge was unanswered
, and the minister felt compelled to procce
with the ceremony, for he remembered villa
was, at first, forgotten, that the pairhad bee
published according to law, months before
when Lee had, without given reason, refuse
to fulfil his contract.
The brief but impressive ceremony wa
soon over, and with an expression Of NOR
true happiness than had ever been winesse
on his fine features before, Lee conductc
; his wife to her mother and placed humsc
respectfully by her side. The poor brid
was scarcely seated, when she buried lie
, face in her handkerchief, and burst into
: passion of tears, which seemed as if it nevc
5 would be checked The congregation wcl
: out: The young people gathered about til
doors, talking over the late strange scene
: while few members fingered behind, t
) speak with the dcacon's wife before they lei
| the church. Lee and his companions stoo
in their pew, looking anyiously toward til
old man. There was something Immature
, in his motioncss position, which sent a thri
| through the matron's heart, and chained he
) to the floor, as if she had suddenly turned t
, marble. The ministcrcamc down the pulp
stairs, and advancing to the old mau, laid hi
) hand kindly upon the withcrcd fingers clasp
} ed over the railing; he turned very pale, 70
, the hand which he touched was cold an
, stilcned in death. The old man was iccbl
with grief, and when young Lee appeaye
l before him his heart broke amid the rush {
tic etronu fonlinus