Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-07-23


that others present had been powerfully affected,
that an unusual soberness pervaded the whole as
sembly This tension Of feeling was in some meas
ure relieved, when Theophius again resumed:
Il have therefore, adopted the standing rule, even
at the risk OF being regarded as illiterae and
polished, TO be careful Of what | say in company
Of strangers, SO as not TO expose myself to perpex
ing dilemma similar to that into which the talka-
tive lawyer had fallen, aud the consequences Of
which were so feeiingiy impressed upon the poor
student at K
And yet replied the Bishop, with smile his
cheerful nature again prevailing, you heve even
now, aud in the grossest manner, violated your
standing rule The ring is coming, my dear candi-
date for, let me inform you, that the tdtkdtieg
lawyer, who by his presumptious vanity had placed
himself in such ridiculous dilemma, was other
than myself-though the whole affair had been
most shockingly caricstured by numerous false adj
ditions which made as it passed from mouth
10 mouth
general merriment confirmed the consterna-
ton OF the candidate but collecting himself, he re-
piled
MY sacred word sir, that was an entire stran-
ger TO the persons concerned IN the story, which
recoect to have read or heard somewhere several
years ago. But suffer now in return, to second
my appeal for pardon, by the reciprocal acknowl-
edgement that the poor student who was subjected
to such terrible whipping at K was IT
Suddenly the mirth Of the company turned
upon the Bishop, who was so strangely caught in
his own device.
Here, then, was fit opportunity for the minister
from New York TO exercise his wit. He felt him
self authorized to retaliate in consequence Of hav
ing in the first instance been warned by the Bishop.
He consequently exercised all his ingenuity and
biting wit upon the poor Bishop, who had thus vio-
lated his own instructions.
The astonishment of all present, produced by the
development Of matters, cannot easily be described.
1t was some time before tranquility could be re-
stored. Al length the Bishop, taking the candidate
by the hand, kindly said
Persons who have given two such striking illus
iraions of the importance Of observing the sdage,
Eide ced sui, ride, must not separate Let
how we can settle this matter. Iappoint you TO the
Rectorshp Of the vacant congregation in this place.
Are you satisfied
A general applause succeeded ths appointment,
for all had become deeply interested in the candi-
date.
Before the feelings Of the company, which, as
may be readily supposed had been variously and
powerfully exercised by the thrilling scene Just
mentioned had time to subslde, new and still more
affecting event burst upon the asonished assembly.
The reader has probably perceived that the min
lister from New York. seemed disposed to crafty
some secret passion, in using every opportunity 10
teaze and ridicule the Bishop and his family. The
cause was this: He had previously attempted to
form an intimacy with his daughter, with the inien-
ton to offer her his hand Contrary to his expecta-
tons, she not only rejected his suit, but steadily
avoided all intercourse with him. Hence, a secret
grudge prompted him to that want OF respect which
he displayed on the occasion.
The daughter of the Bishop universally ad-
mired, not only on account Of her personal altrac-
tions but especially for her mental charms and do
nestle virtues. She had hitherto remained SILENT
but by no means an uninterested witness Of what
had occurred No sooner had the Bishop made the
appointment than, gathering all her energies, as il
for some mighty effort she exclaimed
And now, suppose, it is my turn to speak
The curiosity Of all was now awakened anew
accustomed to strange scenes, they all wondered
what was TO ensue after short pause she
arose, ;ook ring from her finger, and holding it up
to the view of the minister from New York. she
continued
The ring is coming, sir for am happy to be
able to inform you that the giddy, houghtless girl
who fell so desperately in love with a young Top
who pretended to die in consequence Of her dsap-
pontnent, and whose youthful raptures might have
been cured by an application Of the remedy en-
ployed in the OF the poor student. is alive and
doing well, and has, at this moment the honor Of
telling houghtless ale-bearer that his attempts to
be witty fell far short Of the mark his previous
efforts in view of another object
Daughter exclaimed both the Bishop and his
wife simultaneously, without being able TO add
another word, completely were they taken by
surprise. The current other feelings had been so
abundantly turned into different channel by the
fact announced by their daughter in reference TO
subject of which they were hitherto entirely igno-
rant but in which they felt special interest that
they both gazed upon their daughter in mute aston
ishment, utterly at loss what tosay and not lit
tie displeased with her conduct.
Il deserve all the censure you choose TO in1ict,
said the minister from New York, relieving the
painful suspense and though spoke without tie
remotest idea that any person present would be per-
sonally interested in what said, yet hesitate not
TO ask pardon, as did not intend TO inAict pain
And yet she replied, your wanton levity in
speaking of the most sacred feelings Of the human
heart not calculated, to say the least, to afford
pleasure under any circumstances. However, on
certain conditions, will pardon you
Name them
The first is that you will agree never to speak
Of absent persons in light and trihing manner and
the other, that you will never turn into ridicue
those emotions OF the human hearts which consti-
tute the chief ingredients in the present happiness
of man.
To this with-some hesitation, he consented. In
the mean time, the Bishop and his wife had in some
measure recovered their seEpossession, only TO be
started by new development.
At this moment Tbeophilus cast his eyes upon
the trembling girl and, being NO longer able to re-
strain herself, he rushed 10 meet her, and in a mo-
ment they were clasped into each others arms, with
the mutual exclamation
'Esteep
'TheophilusP
The surprise and astonishment Of all present can
not be described. The parents were utterly con-
nda1. md he min from