Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-01-25
Select Gales.
THE VIOLATED VOW,
OR,
The RPOken-Hearted Deacon
"She loved not wisely, but too we'll"

twas a balmy pleasant Sabbath morning;
40 green and tranquil was our valley home,
that the very air seemed more holy than on
other days. The dew was hoatingin veil
of soft mist from the meadows on School
Hill, where the sunshine came warmly while
the wild flowers in the valley lay in shadow,
still heavy with the night rain. The trees
which feathered in the hill sides were vivid
ly green, and Castle Rock towered-a mag
nifcent picture-its base washed by the
water, and darkened by unbroken shadow,
while a soft Aeecy cloud woven and impreg-
mated with silvery light, foated among the
topmost cliffs. The two villages lay upon
their opposite hills, with the deep river Gid
ing between 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 a hearth-stone which at that
time was not made domestic altar. At
last deep bell tone came sweeping over
the valley from her Episcopal steeple, and
was answered by cheerful peal from the
belfry of our new academy. The reverba.
tions were still sounding, mellowed by the
distant rocks, when the hitherto silent vii
lage seemed suddenly teeming with life
The dwelling houses were flung open, and
the inhabitants came forth in happy smiling
groups prepared for worship. Gradually
they divided into separate parties. The
Presbyterians walked slowly towards their
huge old Westinghouse, and the more gaiIy
dressed Episcopalians seeking their more
fashionable house of worship. 1t was a
pleasant sight-those people simple in their
habits, yet stern if not bigoted sectarians,
gathering together for so good purpose
Old people were out-grandfathers and
grandmothers, with the blossom ofthe grave
on their aged temples. Children, with their
rosy cheeks and sunny eyes, rendered more
bright and more rosy with pride of their
white frocks, pretty straw bonnets, and pink
wreaths. 1t was pleasant to see the little
men and women, striving in vain to subdue
their bounding steps and school their spark
ling faces to solemnity BETTING the occa-
sion. There might be seen the new mar
red pair walking bashfully apart, not dar-
ing to venture on the unprecedented bold
ness of linking arms in public, yet feeling
very awkward, almost envying another coup
le who led roguish little girl between
them. Shea mlschievous little thing--all
the time exerting her baby strength to win
that chubby hand from her mothers grasp;
pouting her cherry lips when either of her
idolizing parents checked her bounding
step or too noisy prattle, and, at last sub.
dued only by intense admiration Of her red
morocco shoes, as they flashed in and out
like brace of wood lilies, beneath her
spotted muslin dress.
Apart from the rest, and, perhaps, lnger-
ing along the green-sward which grew rich,
and thick on either side of the way, an
other group perchance was gathered. Young
girls, schoolmates and friends, with their
heads bending together, and smiles dimp-
ling their freshlips, all doubtless conversng
about sacred themes BETTING the day.
Such was the aspect of our little village
on the Sabbath, when the subject of this
little sketch takes to the old Presbyterian
Westinghouse or School, sombre, ancient
pile, already familiar to those of our read
ers who have read the "Home Sketches
preceding this.
Our academy bell had not ceased ringing,
when the congregation came slowly in thro'
the different doors of the Westinghouse and
arranged themselves at will in the square
pews which crowded the body The min.
lister had not arrived, a circumstance which
occurred to some of the congregation as
somewhat singular. Twenty years he had
been their pastor, and during that time had
never kept his congregation waiting AT
length he appeared at the southern entrance
and walked the aisle, followed by his grey,
headed old Deacon. The minister paused
at the foot ofthe pulpit stairs, and with look
of the most deep and respectful reverence
held the door of the "Dcacon's seat" while
the old man passed in. That little attention
went TO the deacon's heart; he raised his
heavy eyes to the pastor with a meek anC
heart-touchng expression Of gratitude that
softened many who looked at it even tc
tears. The minister turned away and went
up the stairs, not in his usual sedate man.
ner, but hurrledly, and with unsteady foot.
steps. When he arrived in the pulpit, those
who sat in the gallery saw him fall on his
knees, bury his face in his hands, and pray
earnestly, and it might be weep, for when
he arose, his eyes were dim and flushed.
Directly after the entrance of the minis.
ter and Deacon, came two females, one a
tall, spare woman, with thin features, and
bespcaking long and continued but meek
ly endured suffering. There was a .beautl.
full and Quakerlike simplicity in the book
muslin kerchief folded over the bosom Of
her black silk dress, with the corners drawn
under the rib and strings in front, and PIN
ned smoothly to the dress behind. Her grey
parted hair was neatly under the straw bon
net, and those who knew her remarked tina
it had gained much of its silver since sh,
had last entered that door. In her arms tn
matron bore a rosy infant, robed in lon
white frock, and an embroidered cap. !
faint color broke into her saIlow cheek, 70
though she did not look up, it seemed to he
as if every eye in that assembly was turnet
upon her burthen. They were all her neigh
bors, many of them kind and truthful friends
who had knelt with her at the same com
munion table for years. Yet she could no
meet their eyes, nor force that tinge ofsham
from her pure cheek, but moved humbl
forward, weighed to the dust with a sens
of humiliation and suffering. A slight fai
creature walked by her side, partly shrink
ing behind her all the way, pale and drooT
ing like crushed lilly. twas the deacon
daughter, and the babe was hers, but sh
was unmarried A black dress and pIai
white vandyke supplanted the muslin tn;
in the days of her innocence had harmon
lied so sweetly with her pure complexion
The close straw bonnet was the same, BIT
its trimming of pale blue was displayed b
IL