Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-05-16
THE cLERGYMAN's LOVE.
BY MRS. Z, II. LOWERING.


BY MRS. z. b. LOWERING.
Mr.. Wortley, the youngest, most
amiable, and best of the three clergymen
in Peltonville, was-in love. How this
circumstance happened it would be rather
difficult to relate but it is quite certain
that in church his eyes were at first
attracted by the sweet and pensive beauty
of Susan Bell, who sat every Sabbath IN
her fathers pew, with her tender eyes
fixed on the young and handsome
preacher. r....
Mr.. Wortley observed her; he was
pleased with her constant attendance
and her patient attention, her appreciation
and sympathy. When he was pathetic,
her soft eyes swan in tears, when elo-
quent in portraying the beauty of piety,
and glory of Christian hope, her eyes
beamed with the fervor of heavenly aspi-
rations.
The fair Susan's sympathy seemed to
inspire the young preacher with fresh
ardor every Sabbath for when ANYTHING
occurred to prevent her attendance at the
morning or afternoon service, there seemed
something gone from his heart, and he
was less eloquent than usual.
Mr.. Wortley felt that this was wrong :.
and it was in analyzing his feelings that
he made the discovery that he was-in
Loue,
Then, forming a more intimate &C.
quaintance with the Bells, and reading
Susan's heart, Mr.. Wortley loved her
more deeply than before, and to his
oto ha hot l.
ly, irretrievably hers. --.
Some may blame the clergyman for
falling in love from his pulpit. Let them
reflect that the best clergymen are hu-
man. Others, more charitable, may only
be surprised that be, being single man,
and Susan worthy girl, did not propose
to marry her at once
Let me explain. Mr.. Wor.ley had not
iooiishly resolved never to I'D arry, but be
had long since made up his mind, to
select for his wife some Door girl. who
had nothing but whole heart to bring
her husband. A minister, he thought,
above all men, should avoid the imputa-
tion of marrying for any worldly advan-
tase; and when he was told that by the
death of rich uncle, W hose favorite she
was, Susan had come into a small for.
tune of twenty thousaD dollars, he said
to himself:
' She can never be my wife :"
So two years passed, and Mr.. Wortley
still preached from his pulpit to the tail
maiden, who listened with eyes up.urned
and who never susp ected his secret love
But an unexpected occurrence, trou
bled the serenity of the youag clergy
mans heart. A stranger, named Britton
took up his residence in Peltonville. ant
became a constant attendant at Mr.. Wort.
| ley's church. He was for a long time 9
subject for much gossiping conversation
and every body appeared TO like him,
except MIR. Wortley, and MIR. Wortley
might have been prejudiced; for any
! body might see that the stranger was
very attentive to Susan Bell, who seemed
| pleased with his address. He and the
clergyman met 'on several occasions, and
the latter, whose perception of human
character was certainly keen, became
more fimly impressed, at each meeting,
with the conviction that MIR. B. was un.
worthy of Susan. I'd a.-s -'.r..
Yet Mr.. Wortley accused himself oi
| selishness, and endeavored to think bet
ter of his rival. 1t was to no purpose
and now seeing Susan's happiness at
stake, he was plunged into despair.
1t was very natural then, that the
clergyman should regret his resolve not
to marry Susan because she happened to
possess paltry twenty thousand, and
that he should think seriously of retriev-
ing his error. -ss-i-.
Il may yet obtain her hand" he said,
"for she cannot love him."
1t was one evening in the month of
June-a warm, soft, quiet evening, and
the dim twilight flung its sweet, melan-
choly influence over the young preachers S
heart. He took his hat and sauntered
slowly in the direction of Mr.. Bells
house. Hepassed the garden, and through
the luxuriant branches Of the trees, which
fringed the road, fOated sounds of human
voices, and fell upon his ear. Gentle and
low were the words which were spoken,
but they sent sharp pang into the
clergymans heart, for he recognized the
| f1ute-like tone of Susan, who was not
alone. The other voice was like Brit
tons. -.-.s ..-.... 81. --.... .......
With a sigh, the clergyman turned
| away and sauntered back, even more
slowly than he came, and having reached
his quiet room in Elder Mason's house.
he sat by the shadowy window, and gazed
sadly out on the silent stars, and on the
solmn earth, until the fiery neon climbed
up the eastern sky, and his chamber was
nc. longer dark. .....- ......
On the following morning, Mr.. Wort
ley was paler than usual, and there was
sadness in his smile, which his friends
could not understand. That day s medi-
tation was father to his discourse the
next Sabbath, which had for its subject
Resignation, and which was so full of the
touching eloquence for. which he was 20
distinguished; so warm in the outpourings
of suffering but patient spirit, that the
afsIS 90 . 81 81. f.-zs- ~