The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-09-05
ROMANTIC STORY.

vi a iS1h 81 Soh chSoNOACu ~ SiAS SSe@"AiSiASeA
church of Scotland. At school and at
college he was distinguished for his love
of learning, and as minister was unri-
vailed for his eloquence and mental attain
ments. He had been settled about year,
and was upon the eye of being married
to fine young woman, whom he had loved
from childhood, when the heritors and
several English gentlemen, who were then
on visit to the North, attended Kirk to
hear the famous preacher. He more than
verified his fame; he enraptured his audi
ence His theme was the story of his
church. 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 final triumphs were each in
turn presented to the minds of the hearers,
with a power and feeling that defy de-
scription. He stood the genius Of elo-
quence personifed. But there was one
among his hearers who was not bewilder
ed by his glowing pictures.
The gentle-hearted Belle, his betrothed,
when the congregation dispersed, follow
ed 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 "Oh, Jamie!' she exclaimed as
he raised her tenderly in his arms and
seated her on sofa, "ye hae broken my
plain !" eye were drunk, raving drunk,
Jamie, and I wonder the elders did nae
take ye out O. the pulpit Ye whined and
ranted, and sometimes, God forgive me
for saying so, l thought / saw the Evil
One setting beside you, laughing and
clapping you on the shoulder. My puir
brain reeled; l was mad and knew it; I'm
mad now; l Gamma live out this day;
feel my blood freeze; o, God, be merci-
full to me a sinner, and save, 0, 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 Aattering offers of future prefer
ment, rendered by the gentry, could in
duce him to resume his labors as min
lister.
Five or six years passed. when the
writer of this, who was his school-fellow,
accidentally met him in London. Jamie
was then one of the teachers in a large
educational establishment, and was highly
esteemed for his moral excellence of char
acter, as well as his learning and skill as
successful teacher. He was dressed in
deep mourning, stunned society, when the
labors of the day closed, he either wan
dered 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, poor, vain, self-conceited sinner.
For the purpose of concentrating his
thoughts and infusing life into his sermons
he was in the habit of taking glass Of
whisky before entering the pulpit. The
morning before he preached the fated SER
mon, he felt rather nervous, for he knew
there would be strangers to hear him, and
he took nearly two glasses. What he
did, or how he conducted himself, no effort
could recall-the death of Belle alone
had merged itself in the doings of that fear.
full day. The compliments which he re.
ceived sounded in his ears like satire and
mockery, and the very name of liquor i'm
pressed him with horror. t
He left home and came to London
where he obtained a situation as teacher
but everything appeared so black to hin
that he expressed fear he should in some
unguarded moment, destroy himself.
His friend, who was a sailor, suggested
some active employment, that would cal
into play his physical faculties; and thus
give his mind spell, and ended by offer
ling to procure him place before the
mast in ship. II like your suggestion,
he said, "but dislike the sea-" "Ther
turn soldier and seek employment in In
!, dia, where there always is plenty of fight
ing" AZ WILL" he said, springing from
his chair, "when my engagement expires
l will purchase an Ensign's commission
I wonder the thought never suggested
itself to me, for my ancestors, as far bacl
as I can trace them, were soldiers. Bet
ter, far better, die on the field of battle
than fall by ones own hand" We sep
arated.
| A few weeks since in running my eyes
along the list of those who had distin
guished themselves at the battle of Ink
erman, I saw the name of Lieut., Col. ---
A letter from my friend has since inform
ed me that he had served in India under
), Lord Cough, and was promoted for hi
gallant conduct in three campaigns, HI
was present at Alma, Balaklava, and Ink
ermann, and at last accounts, was in gooe
health, engaged in the siege of Sebasto
pol, He was still single; "his heart wal
dead to love !'-Boston atlas.
A TIGHT FIT.-The editor of one O.
the Maine papers says that he has had 6
pair of boots given him which were so tight
that they came very near making him 6
lUniyersalist, because he received his pun.
ishment as he aoent along. ,sl|
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