The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-07-25
A Romantic Story

whom I shall name Jamie )" was pas
tor of . large congre CATION of the estab-
ished church of Scotland. At school
and at college, he was distinguished for
his love of learning, and as a minister
Was unrivaled for his eloquence and
mental attainments. He had been set
tied about a year, and was upon the eve
Of being married to q fine young woman,
whom he had loved from childhood,
when the heritors and several English
gentlemen, who werc her on 8 visit to
the North, attended kirk to hear the
famous preacher. He more than verif-
ed his fame; he enraptured his audience.
His theme was the story 81 his Oh urch
Its many years of disastrous wars, its
martyrs, its heroes, its undying hopes,
even when despair seemed to shroud it
in endless night its unwearied tolls
and its final triumphs were each in turn
presented to the minds of the hearers,
with a power and feeling that defy de-
scription. He stood tho genius of elo.
quenoe ~personiied. But there was one
among his hearers who was not beuilder-
ed By his glowing pictures.
The gsntle-hearted Belle, his betroth-
ed, when the congregation dispersed,
followed him TO the manse He ~receiY-
ed her in his study, but while conduct
ing her to the chair she sank to the floor
and burst into tears. 80 Jamie !" she
exclaimed as he raised her tendorly in
his arms and seated her on a sofa, We
hae broken my puir hearth" How,
so, my Belle explain it ! "Ye were
drunk, raving drunk, Jamie, and 1 won
der the elders did nae tax ye out o. the
pulpit Ye whined and ranted, and
ranted, and sometimes, God forgive me
for saying soc, I thought 1 saw the Evil
One standing beside you, laughing and
slapping you on the shoulder. My puir
brain reeled-I was mad and knew it
I'm mad now Gamma live out this day
Il feel my blood freeze-O, God, be
merciful to me a sinner, and save, o,
save my Jamie" Her head reclined
upon his bosom, she gazed upon him for
a moment, and expired in his arms.
He had preached his last sermon.
No entreaties Of a congregation who
loved him-no fattering offers of future
prefermsnt, rendered by the gentry,
could induce him to resume his labors as
minister.
Five or ak years passed, Wien the
writer Of this, who was his sshoolfellow,
accidentally met him in London.t ia
ME was then one of the principal Teach
ers in a large educational establishment,
and was highly esteemed for the moral
excellence of character, as well as his
learning and skill as a successful teach
er. He was dressed il deep mourning,
stunned society, when the labors of the
day closed, he either wandered alone
through the streets, or retired to his
lodgings. The scene of Bellies death
was ever present to his memory.
Her pure soul, he said, saw him as he
was, a poor, vain, ~self-conceited sinner.
For the purpose of concentrating his
thoughts and infusing life into his SER
mons, he was in the habit of taking a
glass of whiskey before entering the pull
pit. The morning before he preached
the fatal sermon he felt rather nervous,
for he knew there would be strangers to
hear him, and he took nearly two glass
e. What he said, or how he conducted
no effort could recall-the death
Of Belle alone had merged into itself the
doings of that fearful day. The compli-
ments which he received sounded in his
ears like satire and mockery, and the
very name of liquor impressed him with
horror.
He left home and came to London,
where he obtained a situation as teach
sr; but every thing appeared so black
him that he expressed fear he should,
in some unguarded moment, destroy
himself.
His friend, who was a sailor, suggest.
some active employment, that would
oal into play his physical faculties, and
thus give his mind a spell, and ended by
to procure him q place before
he nast in a ship. 81 like your sug-
)" he said, "but dislike the sea "
Then turn soldier and seek employ
nent In India, where there is always
,lenty of fighting" al will (" said he
bringing from his chair, when my en-
'agemsnt expires, I will purchase an En-