Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-09-26
Enduring Affection.

The following interesting incident, is from an
article by "W,'' a correspondent of the journal
Of Commerce:
There is memory of the old church in which
we worshipped yesterday, connected with the old
man who will be buried tomorrow, that seemed
to me very touching when | heard it related last
night. Sixty years ago, there was voice in the
choir that thrilled his heart every Sunday morn
ing, so that he listened to it more than the words
or the song. lie was stout, strong man, and
yet he was child in the presence of that country
maiden, and he loved her with exceeding joy. He
served her father, not so long as Jacob for Leah,
yet with no less devotion, and for while with no
more success. One day the farmers family had
gone to visit friend, some ten miles distant. and
not having room in their wagon, they had return
gu, leaving Lucy to be sent for. And towards
evening, the old man, the young man | should
say-hoW strange this tale Of his youth, seems to
me VINO have always known him as old-the young
man was sent for her, and, having taken her into
inc wagon With him, started to return.
rive miles of the road were accomplished,
when the gloom of tempest surrounded them,
anu storm burst on them with terrible fury
There was no better shelter for a mile, save the
thitner he urged his horse, with difficulty and no
small danger.
They reached the door, which was never closed
Tor the house of God, in those days, was always
open-and the girl found shelter, while he secured
the morse in safety under the shed, and returned
to her.
lie had never told her of his love, and now
was fair opportunity. In the wild flashes Of
the lightning, the little church cleaned out on
the valleys that it overlooked, like silent, calm
mother, to keep all safe in the war of the ele-
ments. No one who caught sight of it that night,
dreamed that it was occupied but there were
two hearts in it that commenced to beat in unison
that night, at the altar where they pledged their
love to each other. They were not afraid, not
terrified, though the tempest was fearful, and
though every window cleaned luridly in the con-
slant flashes of the lightning. With arms folded
around each other, they knet there still. 1t was
a holy night, to which in after years their souls
REQUIRED with never ceasing joy.
Yes-sneer-laugh-bla that holy love,
poor miserable dogs of the worlds whipping, who
have never felt the blessedness of pure, warm,
woman love, but know that during the sixty wears
of Sabbaths that man wOrshipped God at the
same altar, he forgot that night, nor failed
to thank God for that tempest.
And tomorrow, when they carry him into the
altar foot, whereby he knelt with the maiden he
loved so long ago, if his old bones revive not at
the blessed touch, if his old heart thrill not with
the remembered love, if his old cheek grow not
warm with the balmy breath, if his old eyes
smile not with the old love, if he be there still,
calm, dead, yet l tell you there is an altar, a
church, land, where they two will be kneeling
together Tomorrow, where their eyes will be radi-
ant with love, where their lips will be eloquent
with rapturous song again, and yet again.
saith Joe Willis, looking over my shoulder as /
wrote thank my God for the Immortality of
our love-