Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-01-25
THE GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN, MONTPELIER VERMONT

but the paper which contained the young
girls confession shook violently in his hand
as he unrolled it. Julia knew it was her
duty to arise. She put forth her hand,
grasped the carved work of the seat and
stood upright till the reading was finished,
staring all the time wildly in the parsons
face, as if she wondered what 1t could all
be about She sat down again, pressed a
hand over her eyes, and seemed asking God
to give her strength. The minister descen'
ded from the pulpit, for there was another
ceremony yet, baptism ofthe infant. The
gentle erring girl was to go up alone with
the child of her shame, that it might be
dedicated to God before the congregation
She arose with touching calmness, took the
babe from the mothers arms, and stepped
into the aisle. She wavered at first, and
keen sense of shame dyed her face and We
ry 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 walked steadily forward to the COM
munion table, in front of her fathers seat
There was not fearless eye in that con-
gregation. Aged, stern men bowed their
heads to conceal the sympathy betrayed
there. Young girls careless, light-hearted
creatures, who never dreaming Of the frail-
ty of their own natures, had reviled the fall
en- girl, now wept and sobbed to see her
thus humbIed. Young Lee became power
fully agitated his breast heaved, 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 disordered
unequal step.
"What namel" inquired the pastor, bend
ing toward the young mother, as he took
the child from her arms.
Before she had time to speak, Lee was
by her side, and answered in loud stern
voice
"That of his 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 into the
antique china bowl, laid it upon the baby's
forehead, and in a clear voice pronounced
his name A faint cry btoke from the child
as the cold drops fell on his face, The
noise seemed to arouse all the hitherto I'M
known and mysterious feelings Of paternity
slumbering in the young fathers heart. His
eyes kindled, his cheek glowed, and impul-
sively he extended his arms and received
the infant. His broad chest heaved be-
meath its tiny form, and his eyes seemed
fascinated by the deep blue orbs which the
little creature raised smiling and full of
wonder to his face Lee bore his boy down
the aisle, laid him gently in his astonised
grandmother's lap, and returned to the pull
pit again. Julia had moved little, and
overcome with agitation, stood leaning
against the railing of the pulpit. Lee bent
his head and whispered few earnest words
and held forth his hand. She stood for a
moment like one bewildered, gave a doubt
full troubled look into his eye, and laid her
hand in his. He drew her gently to the la
BILE, and in firm respectful voice, request
ed the minister to commence the marriage
service.
The pastor looked troubled and irresolute;
The whole proceeding was so unexpected
and strange, that even he lost all presence
of mind, "a punishment is necessary to
our laws" he said at length, casting look
at the deacon, but the old man remained
motonless, with his hands clasped over the
railing, and his head bowed upon them
Thinking him too much agitated to speak,
and uncertain of his duty, the divine lifted
his voice and demanded if any one present
had aught to say against marriage between
the two persons standing before him.
Every face in that church was turned on
the deacon, but he remained silent, notion
less, so the challenge was unanswered, and
the minister felt compelled to proceed with
the ceremony, for he remembered what was
first forgotten, that the pair had been pub
Ished according to law, months before,
when Lee had, without giving reasons, re-
fused to fulfil his contract.
The brief but impressive ceremony was
soon over, and with an expression Of more
true happiness than had ever been witness
ed on his fine features before, Lee conduc'
ted his wife to her mother The poor bride
was scarcely seated when she buried her
face in her handkerchief and burst into 8
passion of tears, which it seemed as if new.
er would be checked.
The congregation went out. Theyoung
people gathered about the doors, talking
over the late strange scene, while few
members fingered behind to speak with the
deacon's wife before they left the Church
Lee and his companions stood in their pew
looking anxiously towards the old man.
There was something unnatural in his mo-
tionless position which sent thrill to the
old matron's heart and chained her TO the
floor, as if she had suddenly turned to mar
BILE. The minister came down the
pulpit stairs, and advanced to the old man
laid his hand kindly upon the wthere(
fingers claspcd over the railing; he turned
pale, for the hand which he touched wa
cold and stiffened in death. The old mai
was feeble with grief and when young lie,
appeared before him, his heart broke amiC
the rush of its feelings.