Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-10-02

paleness overspread his face. The wine-cup
dropped from his hand, and he was led away,
crying like child.
Many of his brethren visited the afflicted
man during the iext week. They always
found him in his orchard, wandering about un-
der the heavy boughs and picking up the with
cred green apples which the worms had eaten
away from their unripe stems. These he dill
gently boarded away near a large sweet briar-
bush which grew in corner of the rail-fence
On the next Sabbath he appeared in the meet
Ing house, accompanied by the minister as we
have described, to be outraged in the very
house of God, by the presence of the man who
had desolated his home. 1t is little wonder
that even there his Just wrath was, for mo
ment, kindled The service began. and that
erring girl listened to it as one in dream
Her heart seemed in painful sleep; but when
the minister closed his Bible, and sat down,
the stiffness made her start A keen sense of
her position came over her. She cast
frightened look at the pulpit, and then sunk
back pale and nervous, her trembling hand
wandered in search of her mothers. The old
lady looked on her in fond grief, whispered
soothing words, and tenderly pressed the little
hand that so imploringly besought her pity
Sill the poor girl trembled, and shrunk in her
seat as if she would have crept away from ev-
cry human eye.
The minister arose, his face looked calm,
but the paper which contained the young
girls confession, shook Violently in his hands
as he unrolled it. Julia knew that it was her
duty to arise. She put forth her hand, and
grasped the carved work of the seat, and stood
upright till the reading was finished, staring,
all the time, wildly, in the pastors face, as
if she wondered what it could all be about
She sat down again, pressed her hand over her
eyes, and seemed asking God 10 give her more
strength.
The minister descended from the pulpit, for
there was yet TO be another ceremony bap-
tism of the infant. That gentle erring girl
was to 60 up alone with the child of her shame,
that ii might be dedicated TO God before the
congregation. She arose with touching calm
ness, took the babe from her mothers arms,
and stepped into the aisle. She wavered at
first, and a keen sense of shame dyed her face,
neck and very 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
communion table, in front of her fathers seat.
There was not a fearless eye in the whole con-
gregation. Aged, stern men. bowed their
heads 10 conceal the sympathies betrayed there.
Young girls-careless, hght-hearted creatures,
who, never dreaming of the fra,lty of their
own natures, had revled the fallen girl, now
wept and sobbed 10 see her thus publicly hum
bled. Young Lee became powerfully agitated :,
his face flushed hotly, then turned very pale,
and at last he started up, flung open the pew
door, and hurried up the aisle with disorder
ed and unequal step.
| What name.' inquired the pastor, bending
toward the young mother, as he took the child
! from her arms.
| Before she had time to answer, Lee stood
by her side, and answered in loud and steady
voice, That of its 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 Ii for support, but did not look up. The
minister dipped his hand into the antique China
bowl, laid it upon the babes forehead, and, in
clear voice, pronounced the name. A faint
cry broke from the child as the cold drops fell
on his face. The sound seemed to arouse all
the hitherto unknown and mysterious feelings
of paternity slumbering in the young father
heart. His eye kindled, his cheek gluwed,
and impulsvely he extended his arms and re-
celyed the infant. His broad chest heaved be-
meath its tiny form, and his eyes seemed fascn-
aied by the deep blue orbs which the little
creature raised smilingly and full of wonder to
his face. Lee bore his son down the aisle, and
laid him gently in his astonished grandmother 5
iaP and returned to the pulpit again. Julia
still had moved a little, and overcome with ag-
itation, leaned heavily against the railing of
the pulpit stairs. Lee bent his head and whis-
pered few earnest words, and held forth his
hands. She stood, for moment, like one be-
widered, gave doubtful, troubled look into
his eyes, and laid her hand in his He drew
her gently to the table, and in firm, respectful
voice, requested the minister to commence the
marriage service. -L
| The pastor looked puzzled and rresolute -
The whole proceeding was so unexpected and
strange, that even he lost all presence of mind.
A publishment is necessary to our laws he
said at length, casting a look upon the deacon,
but the old man remained motionless, with his
hands clasped over the railing, and his face
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 the mar
riage between the two persons standing before
him.
Every face in that church was turned on the
deacon, but he remained silent and motionless,
so the challenge was unanswered, and the min
lister felt compelled to proceed with the cere-
mony, for he remembered, what was at first
forgotten, that the pair had been published ac-
cording 10 law, months before, when Lee had,
without giving reason, refused to fulfil his con-
tract