Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-04-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE A VOW,
on THE BR0KEN-lIEARTED DEACON,
ny ANN s. STEPHENS.

1t was a balmy, pleasant Sabbath morning.
So green and tranquil was our valley home
that the very air seemed more holy than on
other days. The dew was floating in a vel
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
~ rreen, and Castle Rock toweted-a mag
nifcent piclure-its base washed by the Wa
ter, and ddrkened by unbroken shadow,
while a soft fleecy cloud, woven and impreg-
mated with silvery light, floated among the
topmost cliffs. The two villages lay upon
their opposite hills, with the deep river gliding
between like miniature cities, deserted by
the feet of men; not a 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 a domestic altar. AT last a deep bell
tone came sweeping over the valley from our
Episcopal steeple, and was answered by a
cheerful peal from the belfry Of our new acad-
emy. The reverberations were still sound
inc, mellowed by the distant rocks, when
the hitherto silent village seemed suddenly
teeminp with life. The dwelling houses
were flung open, and the inhabitants came
forth in happy smiling groups. prepared tor
worship. Gradually they divided into sepa-
rate parties. The PresbyteIians walked
slowly towards their huge old Westinghouse,
and the more gaily dressed Episcopalians
seeking their more fashionable house OF wor-
shin. 1t was a pleasant sight-those people
simple in their habits, yet stern if not bigot.
ed sectarians, gathering together for so good
a purpose. Old people were out-grandfa-
fathers and grandmothers, with the blossom
Of the grave on their aged temples. Chill
dten with their rosy cheeks and sunny eyes,
rendered more bright and more rosy with the
pride Of their white frocks, pretty straw bon
nets, and pink wreaths, 1t was pleasant 10
see the little men and women, striving in
vain TO subdue their bounding steps and
school their sparkling faces 10 a solemnity
BETTING the occasion. There might be seen
the newly married pair, walking bashfully
apart, not daring to venture on he-unprece-
dented boldness of linking arms in public,
yet feeling very awkward, almost envying
another couple, who led a roguish little gill
belw cen them. Shea mischievous little
thinr-all the while e%xerting 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 pratile, and, at
last SNuOuCo Oih1 ny ihNN"FO "
her red morocco shoes, as they flashed in and
out like a brace of wood lilies, beneath her
spotted muslin dress.
Apart from the rest, perhaps lingering
| along the green sward, which grew rich and
thick on either side Of The way, another group
perchance was gathered. Young girls, school,
mates and friends, with theil heads bending
together, and smiles dimpling their fresh lips,
all doubtless conversing about sacred themes,
heftting the day.
Such was the aspect of our little village on
the Sabbath, when the subject of this little
sketch takes US TO the old Presbyterian meet
inp.house or Schools sombre, ancient pile, al
ready familiar to those Of our readers who
/ have read the - Home Sketches -" preceding
this.
Our academy hell had not ceased ringing,
when the congregation came slowly inthrough
the difrerent.door Of the meeting house and
arranged themselves at will in the square
pews which crowded the body. The aninis.
Ter had not arrived, a circumstance which &C.
cured TO some Of the congregation as some
what 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 up the aisle, followed by his grey
headed old Deacon. The minister paused
at the foot of the pulpit stairs, and with a
look Of the most deep and respectful rever-
ence, held the door OF the "Deacon's Seat,''
while the old man passed in. That little
attention went 10 the d%eacon's heart he
raised his heavy eyes TO the pastor, with a
meek and heart-touching expression Of graft.
tude that softened many, who looked at il
even 10 tears. The minister turned away
a.J mani nm tho ctairc NOT in HE ,cpal 90
date manner, but hurriedly, and with unstea-
dy footsteps. When he arrived IN the puI.
pit, those who sat in the gallery saw him fall
upon his knees, bury his face in. his hands,
and pray earnestly, and it might be to weep,
for when he arose, his eyes were dim and
flushed.
Directly after the entrance of the minister
and deacon, came two females, one a tall,
spare woman, with thin features, and bespeak.
ing long and continued, but meekly endured
suffering. There was a beautiful and Qua.
ker like simplicity in tho book-muslin ker.
chief folded over the bosom of her black silk
dress, with the corners drawn under the RI
band strings in front and pinned smoothly 10
the dress behind. Her gray hair was parted
neatly under the straw bonnet, and those
who knew her remarked that ii had gained
much of its silver since she had last entered
that door. In her arms the matron bore a
rosy infant, robed in a long white frock, and
an embroidered cap. A faint color broke in
to her salIow cheek, for though she does not
look up, it seemed to her as if every eye in
that assembly was turned upon her burlhen.
They were all her neighbors, many of them,
kind and truthful friends, who had knelt
with her at the same communion table for
years. Yet she could not meet their eyes,
nor force that iinge of shame from her pure
cheek, but moved humbly forward, weighed
to the dust with a sense of humiliation and
suffering. A slight fair creature walked by
her side. partly shrinking behind her all the
way, pale and dropping like a crushed lily.
1t was the deacon's daughter, and the babe
l was hers, but she was unmarried. A black
: dress and a plain white wand Ike summarized