Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-08-16
Mlisrelloneous
ROMANTIC STORY.

Some twenty years ago, young man, whom
l Shall name "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 unrivaled for his elcquence and
mental attainmentS. lie had been settled
abont year, and was upon the eve of being
married 10 fine yonng woman, whom he had
loved from childhood, when the hertors and
several English gentlemen, who we've Then on
u visit 10 The north; attended kirk to hear the
famous preacher. lie more than verified lis
fame; he enrap;ured his audience. His theme
was the story OF his church. Its many years
Of disast rous. wars, lis martyrs, lis heroes, lis
dndylng hopes, even when despair seemed to
Shtoud It in endless night; lis unwearled tolls
Dnd lis final triumphS were each in turn pre-
sented, 10 The minds Of the hearers, with
poAer AMI feeling That defy description. He
stood the genius Of eloqnence personifed.-
But there was one, among his hearers who was
nu,. bewildered by his glowing pictures.
The gentle hearted Belle, his be;roihel,
when the congregation dispersed, followed
him to the marse. He received her in his
study, but while conducting her 10 her chair
she sunk 10 the floor, and burst into tearS.
20 jamie !' she exclaimed as as he raised he!
r
.'yc hae bfoken my puir heart ~ Chow so,
my Belle explain - AYE were drunk, Ia
wing drunk, jamie, and | wonder The elders
Gid nae take ye onto :he pulpit Ye whined
and tanteG, and sometimes, God forgive me for
saying soc, thoLght | saw The Evil One stand.
,ing beside you, laughing and clapping you on
the shoulder. My puir brain reeled--l was
mad and knew il--lm mad nOW-l Gamma live
cut this day. feel my blood freeze-O, God,
he merciiul 10 me sinner, aud save, o, save
my jamie !" Her head reclined upon his bo
SOM she gazed upon him for moment, and
expired 10 his arms.
lie had preached his last sermon. No en-
trealies Of congregation who loved him no
.nltteEing offers OF future prefernent, tender
ed by HE gentry, could induce him 10 resume
his laborS as a minister. ..,..
90 Five or six years passed, when The writer of
this, who was his school fellow, accidentIy
met himIu London. jamie was then one OF
The PRINCIPAL teachers in lalge educa ional
. establishment, and was highly esteemed for
his moral excellence Of chara Ter, as well as
his learning and skill as a successful teacher.
lie was dressed in deep mourning, Stunned
society, when The Iaburs Of The day closed, he
either wondered nIone, through the streets or
retired 10 his lodgings. The scene of Bellies
I death was ever present 10 his memory.
,t Her pure soul, he sad, saw him as lie was,
. poor, vain, self concelled sinner. For the
purpose Of concentrating his thoughts and in
4 fusiag life into his sermons, he was IN The h8b-
- il of taking a glass Of whisky before enler G
A., sthe pulpit. The morning before he preached
the fated sermer, he felt rather nervous, for
: he knew there would be strangers 10 hear him
nad he took nearly two glasses. What he did
or how be conducted himself, no effort could
recall-the death of Belle alone had merged
into itself The doings of that fearfu. day. The
commitments " hich he received sounded in his
ears like satire and mOckery and lhe very
name of liquor impressed him with horror.
,.s He left home and came 10 London, where
he obtained situation as teacher but every
thing appeared so black 10 him that he ex-
pressed fear he should, in some unguarded
moment, destroy himself.
b, His friend, who was a sailor, suggested some
scliye employment, that would call into play
his PHYSICAL faculties, aud thus give his mrd G
spell, and by offering 10 procure him place
before the mast in a ship. 81 like your Sug-
Z gesiion," he said, "but dislike the sea-
t'Thsn turn soldier, and seek employment in
India, where there is always plenty OF fight
ing" al will" be said, springing from his
~ chair, "when my engagement expires, vii
purchase an eusgn's commission. | wonde
the thought never suggested itself TO me, fo
my ancestors, as far back as can trace them
were soldiers. Better, for better, die oil iht
field Of battle, Than to fall by ones own hand
We sepsrated. d. B.-r.. ,....i ..... .......
A few weeks since. in running my eyeI
along the list Of those who had distinguished
themselves at the battle Of Inkermann,
saw the name Of Lieut.. Col. -. A lette
from my friends has since informed me that he
had served in India under Lord Cough, on,
n was promoted for his ga liant conduct iu thre,
sgcsmpsigns. lie was present at The battle o
y Alma, Balaklsva snd inkermann, and at las
al accounts, was in good health, engaged in iht
. s6lseige of Sebssiopol. He was stillSingle; chi
heart vas dead te love P'--BOstOn Atlas.
Ia pInquisitive people are the tunnels ofeon