New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-06-12
a Romantic Story.

Some twenty years ago, young man whom shall
call Jamie, was pastor Of 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 distinguished for his eloquence
and mental attainments. He had been settled about
year, and was upon the eve Of being married to a
fine young woman whom he had loved from childhood,
when several English gentlemen who were then on
visit to the North, attended the kirk to hear the
famous preacher. He more than verified his fame
he enraptured his audience His theme the story
Of his church Its many disastrous wars, its martyrs
its heroes its undyng hopes, even when dispair seem
its final triumphs. each in turn presented to the
minds Of the hearers, with power and feeling which
defy description. He stood the genius of eoquence
personified. But there was one among his hearers
who was not bewildered by his glowing picture.
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. go, Jamie " she exclaimed, as he raised her
tenderly in his and seated her on sofa g ye
hae broken my pur hear" ]" " How SO, me Belle (?
explain Ye were drunk, raving drunk, Jamie
and wonder the elders did nae tax ye 9 the pulpit
1 Ye whined and ranted, and sometimes, God forgive
me for saying sac thought saw the evil one stand
| ing behind you, laughing and clappng you on th,
shoulder My puir brain reeled-T was mad AMI
knew it-Fm mad now--I cannot live out this day
feel nv blood freeze-Oh. Cod, be merciful to me-
sinner, and save, oh, save my Jamien' Her head II
clined upon his bosom, she gazed upon him for
moment and expired in his arms
He had preached his last sermon. No entreaties 0
congregation who loved him, no flattering offers
future preferment rendered by the gentry, could in
duce him to resume his labors as minister.
Five or six years passed, when the writer of this
| who was his schoolfellow, accidentally met him ir
London. Jamie was then one of the principal teach
ers in a large educational establishment, and was
highly esteemed for his moral excellence of character
as well as his learning and skill as successful teach
| er He was dressed in deep mourning stunned
! nj HaYy ri DSn1 he
either wandered alone through the Streets retired
tohs lodgings. The scene of Bellies death was ever
| present to his memory.
| Her pure soul, he said saw him as he was, poor
vain, selfconceited sinner. For the purpose of con
centratng his thought and infusing life into his ser.
mons, he in the habit of taking glass of whisky
before entering the pulpit. The morning before he
preached the fatal sermon he felt rather nervous for
be knew there would be strangers to hear him, and
be took nearly two glasses. What he said, or how he
conducted HIMSELF no effort could recall--the death
of Belle alone had merged in itself the dongs of that
fearful day. The compliments 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 OBJ
tained situation teacher but everything appeared
so black to him that he expressed fear that he
should in some unguarded moment destroy himself.
His friend, who was sailor, suggested some active
employment that would call into play his physical
faculties and thus give his mind resting spell, and
ended by offering to procure him place before the
mast, IN q snip. " ike your SuSgeStlOn' he SAID
but dislike the sea-. "Then turn soldier, and seek
employment in India where there is always plenty
of lighting" 9" will" he said, springing from the
chair, " when my engagement expires will purchase
an ensign's commission. wonder the thought never
occurred to me- for my ancestors as far back as can
trace them soldiers. Better, far better, die
the field of battle, than by ones own hand" We
separated
A few weeks since, in running my eye along tht
list of those who had distinguished themselves at thu
battle of Inkermann recognized the name Of Lieut.
Colonel. A letter from my friend has since in
formed me that he had served in India, with Lor'
Cough, and was promoted for his gallant conduct il
three campaigns. He was present at the battle o
Alma, Balaklaya Inkermann, and at last accounts
was in good health, engaged in the siege of sebas
topol. He was still single. =" His heart was dead tt
| loveW