Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-04-20
ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE, SALEM, o.

VOu5, her trembling hand wandered IN search
Of her mothers. The old lady looked on her
with fond grief, whispering soothing words,
and tenderly pressing the little hand that had
so imploringly besought her pity. Still the
poor girl trembled and shrunk in her seat, as
f she would have crept away from every
human eye.
The minister arose, his face looked calm,
but the paper which contained the young
girls confession shook violently in his hand
as he unrolled it. Julia knew it was her du-
ty 10 arise. She put forth her hand, grasped
the carved work of the seat, and stood up
right till the reading was finished, staring
all the while wildly in the parsons face as if
she wondered what it could be all about
She sat down again, pressed a hand over her
eyes, and seemed asking God to give her
strength. The minister descended from the
pulpit, for there was another vet,
a baptism of the infant. The gentle erring
girl was TO 90 up alone with the child of her
shame, that it might be dedicated TO God be-
fore the congregation. She arose with touch
ing calmness, took the babe from the mo-
theirs arms, and stepped into the aisle. She
wavered at first, and a keen sense of shame
dyed her face and very hands, with a pain
ful flush Of crimson, but as she passed the
pew where young Lee was sitting, an eX-
preston of proud anguish came 10 her face,
her eyes filled with tears, and she walked
steadily forward TO the communion table, in
front Of her fathers seat. There was not a
fearless eye in that congregation. Aged,
stern men bowed their heads 10 conceal the
sympathy there. Young girls, careless,
light.hearted creatures, who, never dream
ing of the frailty Of their own natures, had
reviled the fallen girl. now wept and sobbed
to see her thus humbled. Young Lee be-
came powerfully agitated his breast hoav-
ed, his face flushed holly, then turned very
pale, and at last he started up, fang open the
pew door, and hurled up the aisle with a
disordered, unnatural step.
What name !" 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 a loud and stern
voice
"1'hat of his father, James Lee"
The trembling of the 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 broke from the child, as the cold
drops fell on his face. The noise seemed 10
arouse all the hitherto unknown and mystic
rious feelings of paternity slumbering in the
young fathers heart. His eyes kindled, his
cheek glowed, and impuIsiveIy he extended
his arms and received the infant. His broad
chest heaved beneath its tiny form, and his
eyes seemed fascinated by the deep blue orbs
which the lutte creature raised smiling and
full of wonder TO his face. Lee bore his boy
down the aisle, laid him gently III his aston
ished grandmothet's lap, and returned to the
pulpit again. Julia had moved a little, and
overcome with agitation, stood leaning against
the railing Of the pulpit. Lee bent his head
and whispered a few earnest words, and held
forth his hand. She stood like one bewil-
dered, gave a doubtful troubled look into his
eve, and laid her hand in his. He drew her
gently 10 the table, and in a firm, respectful
voice, requested the minister TO
the marriage service.
The man looked troubled and irresolute.
The whole proceeding was so unexpected
and strange, that even he lost all presence
of mind. "A punishment is necessary 10
our laws he said at length, casting a look
at the deacon, but the old man remained mo-
tiOnless, with his hands clasped over the
railing, and his head bowed upon them
Thinking him too much agilated TO c;,rdn,
and uncertain of his duty, the Irvine lifted
his voice and demanded if any one present
had aught 10 say against a 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
lished according 10 LAW, months before, when
Lee had, without giving reasons, refused to
fulfil his contract.
The brief but impressive ceremony was
soon over; and with an expression Sf more
true happiness than had ever been witness
ed on his fine features before, Lee conducted
his wife to her poor mother. The poor bride
was scarcely seated when she buried her face
in her handkerchief,an burst into a passion Of
tears, which it seemed as if it never would
be checked.
The congregation went out. The young
people gathered about the doors, talking over
The late strange scene, while a few members
fingered behind to speak with the d~eacon'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 motionIess posi-
ton which sent a thrill TO the old matron's
heart. and chained her to the floor, as
if she had suddenly turned TO marble. The
minister came down the pulpit stairs, and ad-
vanced TO the old man, laid his hand kindly
upon the withered fingers clasped over the
railing; he turned pale, for the hand which
he touched was cold and %stiffened in death.
The old man was feeble with grief, and when
young Lee appeared before him, his heart
broke amid the rush Of its feeling.