Demoine courier., 1855-11-29
A STORY.

Some twenty years ago. a young man,
whom | shall name Jamie" was pas
Tor Of a large congregation o4 the esta
blished church al Scotland. Al schooI
and al college he was distinguished for
his love OF learning, and as a minister
was unrivaled for his elyquence ant
mental a~tainmen,s. He had been get
lied abou, q year. and was upon the eve
of being married to a fine young woman
whom hp had loved from childhand
when The heritoTs aud several English
gentlemen. who were then on a visit Il
The North attended kirk to bear the IAN
Gus preacher. He more lhan verified
his fame; he enrortured his audience,
Ills theme was the story az bis church.
Its many years Of disastrous wars, Its
maslyrs, lis heroes. its indy ing hopes
even when despair seemed 10 shroud i
in endless nishi; It's unwearied tots and
its final triumphs we're each n Turn pre-
scented 10 the minds Of his hearers, with
a power and feeling that defy description
lie. stood The genius of eloqaence res.
sonifet. But there was one among his
hearers who was not bewiidere2 by hi.
glowing pictures.
The gentle hearted Belle, his betro!il-
ed, when the congregation dispersed,
followed him in the manse, lie receiv.
ed her in his sud-, but while conduct
ing her to the chair, she sank TO the floor
and burst into tears. 10 Jamie!' she
exclaimed as he raised her ,enderly in
his arms and seated her on a sofa, aye
hae broken my puir heart!' GLOW SO,
my Belle! explain!" .Ye were drunk.
raving drunk, jamie, and | wonder the
elders did nae tax We out o. the pulpit!
Ye whined and ranted, and sometimes,
God forgive me for saying $50. ! lheugh'
| saw the Evil One standing beside you,
laughing and clapping you on the shout
der. My puu bra,D ree!ed-i was mad
aud knew tim mad now-l c.nna
live on. ,liis day-I feel my blood freeze
% God, be merciful TO me a sinner,
and save, D, save my Jamie." Her
head reclined upon his bosom. she gaz,
ed upon him for q. mo mont, a nd expired
IN his arms.
He had preached his last sermon
No enueaties ola congregation who low
ed him-Do fla,ering offers of future
preferment, rendered by the gentry.
could induce him 10 resume his laboIs
as a minister.
Free or six yesrs passed, when the
-, r. III, x.ln ms hts crhnnI fat-
low. accidentally net him in London
jamie was then ore OF the principal
teachers in a large educational establish
ment, and was tightly esteemed Tor the
moral excellence of character, as well as
his learning and skill as a successful
teacher. He was dressed in deep mourn
irg shunneG society. when the labors OF
The day closed, he either wandered alone
through The streets, or retired to his lodg-
ings. The scene of his Bellies death
was ever presen, to his memory. 4.
ilei pure soul, he said. saw him az he
he was. a poor, vain. self conceded SIN
ner. For the purpose of concentrating
his thoughts anu infusipg life into his
sermons he was in the habi, of taking a
glass Of whiskey before entering The
pulpit. The morning before he preach,
ed the fatal sermon he ielt rather nerv,
Gus, for he knew there would be s,rang
ers TO hear him, aud he took nearly TIVE
glasses. What he said, or how he con-
Quoted himself, no effort could recaIl--
The death OF Belle alone had merged in
TO Itself The doings of that %feailul day
The compliments which he received.
sounded in his ears like sa,iro and mock
cry. AMI the vely name oflIquor i'm
pressed him with honor.
He left home and came to London,
where no obtained a situation az teacher;
bu, every Thing appeared SO black In him
,ha, he expressed fear he should, in some
unguarded moment, destroy himself.
Ills friend, who was a sailor, suggest
ed some active employment; that would
call into play his physicsl faculties, and
thus give his mind a sreli, and ended by
offering 10 procure him a place before
the mast in q ship. III like your sug-
ges,ion," he said. bat dislike the sea-
"1'hen turn soldier and seek employ
ment in India. where there always is
plenty Of fighting" IL WILL" he said,
springing from tile chair, "when my en-
gagement expires. will purchase an Ea
signs commission. | wonde, The thought
never suggested itself 10 me, for my an
c%estors. as for back as | can trace them,
were soldiers. Better, far better, die on
The field Of battle, than fall by ones own
hand" We separated.
A few weeks since, in running my eye
along the list OF thoses who had distip,
guished themselves at the battle of ln-
hermann, | saw The name of Lieut.. Col,
-. A letter from my friends, has
since informed me tha, he had served in
India under Lord Cough, and was pro
NOTED for his gallant conduci in three
campaigns. He was present al The bat
he of Alma, Balakiasa and lnkermann.
and al last accounts, was in good health,
engaged in the siege Of S~ebas,opol. He
was sull singh; ''his hear, was dead 10
Lowell"
~ A western pedagogne, in "teach
ing the young idea how to shoot found
j. very difficult TO impress the letter IL"