Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-08
a Romantic Story.

es, and crowned their humble happiness.
A Romantic Story.
Some twenty years ago, young man
whom | shall call Jamie, was pastor of
a large congregation of the Established
Church of Scotland At school and at
College he was distinguished for his love
of learning, and as minister was unrival-
ed for his eloquence and mental attainments.
lie had been settled about year, and was
upon the eve of being married to fine
young woman whom he had loved from
childhood, when the heritors and several
English gentlemen who were then on a
visit to the North, attended Kirk to hear
the famous preacher. He more than veri
fed his fame; he enraptured his audience.
His theme was the story of his church
Its many disastrous wars, its martyrs, its
heroes, It's undying hopes, even when de-
spair seemed to shroud it in endless night;
its unwearied tolls and it's final triumphs
were IN turn presented to the minds of the
hearers with a power and feeling which
defy description. Here stood the genius
of eloquence personifed. But there was
one among his hearers who was not bewil.
dered by his glowing pictures
The gentle hearted Belle, his betrothed,
when the congregation dispersed, followed
him to the manse. He received her in his
study, but while conducting her to the
chair she sank to the floor, and burst into
tears. 20 Jamie! she exclaimed as he
raised her tenderly in his arms and seated
on sofa, Eye hae broken my puir heart ?
How so, my Belle? explain! 'Ye were
drunk, raving drunk, Jamie, and 1 wonder
the elders did not take ye out O the pulpit
Ye whined and ranted, and sometimes, God
forgive me for saying so, I thought l saw
the Evil One standing beside you, laugh
ing and olapping you on the shoulder. My
@ nar Il Pr2iR Ed rGGsNs9TIc Eas qad and knew it
i feel my blood freeze-O, God be mer-
ciful to me sinner, and save, o, save my
Jamie = Her head reclined upon his bo-
som, she gazed upon him for moment,
and expired in his arms.
He had preached his last sermon. No
entreaties Of congregation who loved him
no fattering offers of future preferment
rendered by the gentry could induce him to
resume his labors as a minister.
Five or six years passed, when the wri-
ter of this, who was his schoolfellow, acci-
dentally met him in London. Jamie was
then one of the principal teachers in large
! educational establishment, and was highly
esteemed for the moral excellence of char.
acter, as well as his learning and skill as a
successful teacher. He was dressed in deep
mourning, Stunned society, when the labor;
of the day closed he either wandered alone
through the streets, or retired to his lodg
ings. The scene of Bellies death was eve
present to his memory.
: Her pure soul, he said, saw him as h,
Z was, Q poor, vain, self-conceited sinner
For the purpose of concentrating hi
9 9 thoughts and infusing life into his sermons
q he was in the habit Of taking glass o
! ! whiskey before entering the pulpit. Th
morning before he preached the fatal ser
mon he felt rather nervous, for he kney
/ there would be strangers to hear him, an
l. he took nearly two glasses. What he said
&c or how he conducted himself, no efo1
u could recall-the death of Belle alone ha
a merged into itself the doings of that feal
q full day. The compliments which he re
ceived sounded in his ears like satire an
le mockery, and the very name of liquor in
GV pressed him with horror.
n He left home and came to London, whel
ai he obtained situation as teacher; b.
70 everything appeared go black to him th'
er he expressed fear he should, in some III
10 guarded moment, destroy himself.
His friend, who was sailor, suggeste
he some active employment that would ca
IS, into play his physical faculties, and thu
nd Offering to procure a place before Ine dIa
lis in a ship. Il like your suggestion,
Sc said, but dislike the sea- linen t9
re- soldier and seek employment in Ind
,u. where there is always plenty OF hghtini
= 4 will he said springing from his cha
csc when my engagement expires, l wlii p
ith chase an eusign's commission. | won(
the the thought never suggested itself to
ion for nv ancestors, as far back as l can TT
ind tLem, were soldiers. Better, far better
f as op the field of battle, than to fall by OIL
, to own hand We separated
,rly A few weeks since in running my
by along the list of those who had distlngu
uch ed themselves at the battle of lnkermal
the saw the name of Lit. Col. --. A
the ter from my friend has since informed
her that he had served in India under !,
9Th ; Cough and was promoted Tor ms gai
side, conduct in three campaigns. He was
ii in sent at the battles of Alma, Balaklava,
with Inkerman, and at last accounts was IN
ough health, engaged in the siege Of SeVast
ssion He was still single; his heart was
and to love p Boston atlas.
lence -----.,>>~>- ~~~~r"'----=-
II her Tho vo,no ladv who Jumped at
sole fer dislocated her ancle, and threw