The weekly American banner. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1855-18??, 1855-06-08

e, lO0e< 81 q. q Is. ss,
AsABBA TlI MQz ING TALE. Il
TIE ToLLIN6 BBIIA
arot.msny usonEhsssgo. ii one II ~ summer
ramb'es found myselfon beautiful Sabbath !;
morning the guest Of I worthy and Intelligent !
family, in quiet country village.
The carly breakfast was over; parents and
children hid Joined IL reading chapter ID the
Bible; Mr.. Sedgwich The head OF fthe family, had
then offered up fefvent prayer At che conclis
sion of which we all rose from onr knees; when
oureanwer greete by the clear deep peals Of ]
the ringing church bell.
$50 later exclaimed Mrs.. sedcWick. looking
al the clock. ourtine-p e-piecemust be sloN."
sThat is not the first he'll for church, replied
her husband 30 emnly. There has been death
in thevillage. Thebell isgoipg to toll for Mar.
Such, then il his unhappy end, nussd his
wife. Well It vii be wrong to MOURN bic
death. If0eath was ever afderciful providence
Lis is 80 in this case.
is it q psrson who had long been sck7' I
asked.
Instead Of answering my queation directly.
Mr.. Sedgwiek said:
sTnere is melancholy history connected
with that young man. II 10 now sometime
aimee the excitemenf occasioned By this strange
tragedy died away; but the toling Of tie bell this
morning must bring il back forcibly to every
heart. Perhaps you would be inaerestedto hear
the story?
| expressed my desire to listen to the narra-
ton; upon which my friend gave me the details
Of the following story, which relate with only
slight deviation from the original:
| Martin Lordwas ouce the Hover and tho hope
Of one of the most respected families in the vilA
lage. His amiabIe disposition and superior in-
tellect procured for him universal love and es.
| TEEN.
Although Of slight figure, and pale festhres,
(which Indicated constitution by no means rol
bust, Martin was remarkable for his uncommon
Ibeauty; and indeed, his and noble forehead, sha-
ded by locks Of soft brown hair, larg. express
sive blue eyes. straight nose, with thin Grecian
,nostrils, and voluptuous mouth, entitled him in
lsome measure to that consideration.
Martin was great favorite with the ladies'
lold and young; but he never showed any marked
partiallty toward any one. until he became init
mate with Isabella Ashton, the daughter Of our
late clergyman, who died of grief 6opta : rear
7 II No two beings coud be more dil1ete11t /1or
, bellaswas the young st and most thou ltlesz
! girl in our vii age. She could have little sym.
patty witha person OF such deep feelings and Ell.
evated intellect as Martin; and beautiful as shs
was, it seemed strange that he shotli have given
: his love ner. Tnereis no doubt but that she
, was attached to him; perhaps she loved him 4
!. we'll as she was capable of LOVING auy one; bul
!. this instance as in others, her affections were
secondary 10 her love OF sarcasm and mischief
. Martin and Isabella had been pointed out q
lovers by village gossips, for several months; b,
Twas now nineteen, and she was the same ag,
; VIII. the tragedy occurred, which the tolling D
d the bell has recalled to thy memory.
,r 1t was on an autumn evening, nearly fv'
years since, that Isabella took advantage of tn,
:, absence OF her father to have social gatherin,
IL lof young people at their house. Martin, o
n course, was present, with the fairest yonlhs an
5, maidens; and being under no restraint tromsth
gravity OF the clergyman, who was not expecte
home tall late, the company enjoyed themselye
Is freely with jests, songs and soc. al gam
le The hour at (which such parties.Droke up ha
D already, and there was no relaxation IN tn
1t gaiey of the young people, when some on
T. foolishly mentioned the subject OF ghosts, some
y thing of that description having been reporte
We is having ueeu the vicinity OF the church
m yarl.
~ IL is silly report. said Martin. Nobody ca
We believe that ghost has really been seen the,
aud doubt if a person here believes at all in II
On existence OF ghosts.
or slou do, yourseIf--you know You do, Marti
tn although you are ashamed to own it, cried Is
nd bela. But Martin only laughed. Come nov
es ,oltnued the thoughtless girl, can prove th
d. you have some idea that such things may exis
lr- 10 to the churehyard alone, in the dark, and tn
in feclare, if you can, that you have felt no fear.
le- Aud what would that provei'
er- Why, you will be frightened, though you s
nothing. Your fears would put your beliefto 4
,pi test. How could you be afraid, ii you did n
he feel that there was something to be afraid of?
IN / do not think your logic is the best In t
lor world, replied Martin. laughing. Men are Oft
all troubled with fear when tIHr reason tells tht
for there is no cause to far. But deny 10 the fl
'rn place that a journey to the chnrchyard, even
rs, lnidn ght; would frighten me in the least
led How brasely you can talkl said Isabella,
ps- iuiging in her customary tone OF sarcasm. b
My .lobody here believes you. / don't at any ra
me Why, you hadn't courage enough, the other g
inc - heip kill rabbits your mother told me So.
ON i never like to cause or witness pa n, If It 9
Fhy oe avoided, answered Martin, blushing.'
zen Hal hal ha! what IN excellent excusel 4
.er ire brave enough to be sure; but tender heart
sm- Jome now; You dare not 20 to the churchys
.one. You are not half SO courageous as
). would have Us believe. Whether You think th
ARE ghosts or-not, You are afraid OF them.
En-I Martin was extremely senstivel but the
casm Of nobody except Isabella, could have STU
'''' MIN to the quick. But scorning the imputat
ate of cowardice. he was ready to DO almost any
lose perate act to prove bis courage.
the But, SAID ne ~alseougn nave uO y ne- s.s.s
of churchyarls and ghosts than I have oforchs
and apple-trees, an not going to walk bal
. mile merely to be la1<
era Hal ha! but youssbn| not escape sor hug