The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-09-08
Vol. 9, No. 7, Whole No, 423.

rose, and enning upon his Quilted the room with
trembling steps. The General looked nfier
them with fearful gnnce, and then resoutely hard
cned his hart against the reappeaance Of his young
friend
Now said ST. John, wildly, she entered, taunts
and reproaches on my head-renind me Of tho wide
difference between my precepts and my practice. Ex-
pose to the world il you wl-but deal gently
with herr
# do not seek to upbraid > said tho General, with
n kindness of manner which he vainly slrove to
ceal under increased sernness Of voice. but rather to
you both. Tho best of us at times liable TO
err, and Cod knowing this, will have compassion on
ifailes C we turn to Him and acknowledge them,
and repent
S, John bowed his head in silence, while hum
bled expression passed over his pale brow. Much
longer they conyorsed together, and kindness and af
fection soon usurped the place of wounded feeling
and bitter resentment.
'For once, Noel, said General Morley, forget that
you n Protestant minister, and fancy yourself
devout penilent will play the part Of Gather con-
fessor, and a recital Of your errors, may perhaps
be able TO give you absouon, or at least aid you TO
atone for them
St. John smiled sadly IA he threw himself upon
rootsool at the feet of his old friend, and said with
attempt nj calmness
Remember General that the office is a sacred one,
and that the barred secrets Of the human soul, which
the penrnt lays open his priests, subjects
which the world may not divine
General Morley bowed in silence, and St. John
commenced in low voice the brief history Of his
woe.
Ethel IIuuy and were pay-nates from our
lest childhood, and loved ench other long before Ell
Their rightly understood what the word meant. She
a noherless and fcndess girl; and her stern
father, although he siunay admitted her into his
presence, sought to engage her affections,
fuhom the depths Of her ardent feelings When oc-
casonally spoke to.her seriously than usual she
would listen with wrnpt atenton,aud showed an ear
nest desire to deserve my respect But both
Young and these dscourSes were Of rare occurrence
had other and pleasanter themes for Conversations
and content TO love her she was, SuiIeessy,
unsuspecting of evil, and attached To good You
may remember that it was thought expedient by my
friends that should 20 abroad previous to entering
upon my ministerial duties in order that might gain
enlarged notions Of men and manners, and have the
benefit Of stud ing the various styles of the best for
eiIn preachers Having first exchanged vows Of e.
terna fidelity with my weeping Ethel, obeyed their
mandate. | was absent nearly n year; and found
my return that she had that very day married man
old enough 10 he her father You may recolect
Lord Agncourt'
The General started and his brow grew
| This is even worse than feared, he said vehe-
neatly.
! Hear me out > said St. John, with q hoarse
with emotion. II is for her sake that humble my
sefio you. The circumstances that led to this
| fortunate union not long in reaching Mr.
Iluhtly had basely sacrificed his child 10
cursed love of gold; and Ethel, by series of artlul
manHuvres, taught to believe that had broken my
| faith 10 her became their victim without murmur.
Lord Ag incourt before his marriage, knew that
her heart ia the possession Of another, had aided
in the siralagens which severed and with humanity
cruelty disclosed the knowledge he possessed TO his
young bride their wedding day. With fend-
sh and eSung pride he dwolt upon the success Of
his plans; informing her nj the time that had
returned to England unchanged in heart and fihh.-
Ethel, pale and horror stricken heard him without
reply reproach, and no quilted her. That night
as | sat in my solitary chamber, brooding over my
wrongs and thu disappointment of all my long cherish
ed schemes of happiness, a visitor was announced,
kro, ,al xuilI lv
me, and sank ut my feet, imporing TO save her
from worse than death. will not attempt TO repeat
what passed in that interview with what feelings
listened to the dark recital Of our mutual injuries ITO
her p|eadingS that we might not again nc separated
that would not send her from me, and expose her
to the anger of her ither aud the insults Of Lord A.
gincourt-io the cold scorn of an Implying word-
General Morley, you are man-you have been
young, and pecchance loved what would you, what
could you have done?'
The old man turned away his head in silence, but
his burning Gears fell upon the upilled brow Of the
enquirer.
You would have preserved her from her persecu-
tors, because you loved herNnd from yourself, be-
you respected her, and had compassion her
contiding innocence and devoted affection. did
both-that night conveyed her here, where she has
since resided. And God is my witness, that during
the years that have elapsed since them she has
been more to me than dear sister! that she Is as
pure and siness in those happy days when
We're children together in her native home. Morley.
you will do me the justice to believe that l speak
nothing hut the holy truth
'IdO! do!' said the old man laying his trembling
hand upon the bowed head of his friend Forgive
me, Noel, for having wronged you by my doubts
for having contributed by word to the sorrows of
that unhappy girl. But added the General. after a
long pause, although you both innocent now, still
your position is dangerous one, as regards your
selves and society. st John, you know enough Of
the world to feel that tho stony have just related
would be credited, should it become known
u have thought OF all dis replied his friend, shut
where is my poor Ethel to go i-what will become
of her i'll desert herr She has relation in the
world to whom she could apply; and mine Ear too
good and pure to be able TO stretch forth helping
hand to fellow creature from shame and misc
ry. ...... ....t .t. .r.e
The young man spoke with bitterness, and paced
the room with rapid and agitated step.
Then you feel that by her long residence under
your roof, she is untitled take the station in society
which she deserves, among the virtuous and good }
That, pure AS she is, they would scorn to associate
with one whom the foul breath Of caumny-not
wholly unlounded had suled forever
'And would you hesitate to sacrife your hap
piness-nny, hers, for time, to restore her to
her former station in the world' to render her
thy oc your love when you shall dare to offer it with
ont ny