The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-02-26

ton of hatred against Dick jackson.
When Nelly was about seventeen
her grandmother died. Istood aloof
in the churchyard, behind the great
yew tree, and watched the funeral. 1t
was the first religious service that
EVER l heard; and, to my shame as I
thought, it affected me to tears. The
words seemed so peaceful and holy
that | longcd to 60 to church, but
l burst not, because l had never
been. The parish church was at
Bolton, far enough away to serve as
an excuse for all who did not care to
90. [ heard Nelly's sobs filling
up every pause in The clcrgyman's
voice; and every sob Of hers went to
my heart. She passed me on her
way out Of the churchyard; she was
so near | might have touched her;
but her head was hanging down, and
l burst not speak to her. Then the
question arose, what was to become
Of her? She must carn her living;
was it to be as a farm servant, or by
working at the mill? I knew en-
ough of both kinds of life to make
me tremble for her. My wages were
such as to enable mo to marry, if 1
chose; and 1 never thought Of woman
for my wife, but Nelly. Still I
would not have married her now, if
| could; for, as yet, l had not risen
up to the character which l dcterm-
ined it was fit thai Nclly's husband
should have. When I was rich in
good report, I would como forwards,
and take my chance; but until then,
I would hold my peace. 1 had faith
in the power Of my long.continued
logged breasting Of opinion. Soon.
or later, it should triumph, & I be re-
ceivcd among the ranks of good men.
But meanwhile, what was to become
Of Nelly? / reckoned up my wages;
went TO inquire what thelboara ola
girl would be. Ii would help her in
her household w6tk, an Mish
her as ana,ghhtst house nf
n Of tho most decent JSrnsn az the
place: she looked at me suspiciously.
| kept down my temper. and told her
l would never come ncarthc place;
that | would keep away from that
end of the village; and that the girl
for whom I made the inquiry should
never know but what the parish paid
for her keep. It would not do; she
suspected me; but Iknow I had pow
err over myself to have kept to my
word; and besides, I would not for
worlds have had Nelly put under any
obligation to me, which should speck
the purity Of her love, or dim it by a
mixture Of gratitudc-the love that
1 craved to earn, not for my money,
not for my kindness, but for myself.
| heard that Nelly had met with o
place in Bolland; and l could sec no
reason why ] might not speak to her
once before she left our neighborhood.
l meant it to be n quiet friendly tell.
ing her OF my sympathy in her sol.
row. l felt Icould command myself.
So, on the Sunday before she was to
leave Sawlcy, I waited near the wood
path, by which I knew that she would
return from afternoon church. The
birds made such a melodious MARBLE
such a busy sound among the leaves,
that | did not hear approaching foot.
steps, till they were close at hand;
and there were sounds Of two persons
voices. The wood was near that part
of Sawley where Nelly was STAYING
with friends; the path through it led
to their house, and theirs only. so I
knew it must be she, for IEad watch
ed her setting out to church alone.
But who was the other?
The blood went to my heart and
heard, rs if were shot, when l saw
that it was Dick Jackson. Was this
the end of it all In the steps of
sin which my father had trodc, |
would rush to my death and nv
doom. Even where / stood | longed
for o weapon to STAY him. How
dared he como near my Nelly? She
too thought her faithless, and
forgot how little | had ever been in
outward action; how few words, and
those how nncouth. | had ever spoken
to her; and I hated her as q traitress.
These feelings passed through mo be.
foro l could SEQ, my eyes md head
were so dizzy and blind. When I
looked / saw Dick jackson holding
her hand, and speaking quick and
low, and thick, as. a man speaks in
great vchomcncc. She seemed white
and dismaycd; but all at once, at
some word Of his, (and what it was
sho mover would tell mc,) she looked
ns though she doted fenN, wrench.
cd herself out of his grasp. He