Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-06-28
miscellaneous.
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 dis
tinguished for his eloquence and mental
attainments. He had been settled about
a year, and was upon the eve of being
married to a fine young woman whom he
had loved from childhood, when the her.
itors and several English gentlemen who
were then on a visit to the North, at
tended the kirk to hear the famous prea-
cher. He more than verified his fame
he enraptured his audience. His theme
was the story of his church. Its many
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 power and feeling
which defy description. He stood the
genius of eloquence personifed. But
there was one among his hearers who was
not bewildered by his glowing pictures.
The gentle hearted Belle, his betroth.
ed, when the congregation dispersed, fol-
lowed him to his 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 p she exclaimed, as he
raised her tenderly in his arms, and seat
ed her on sofa, ye hae broken my
puir hearth p
elbow SO, my Belle? explain"
&C e were drunk, Jamie, and | won
der the elders did nae tax ye O the pull
pit /! Ye whined and ranted, and some
times, God forgive me for saying sac,
thought saw the evil one standing be-
hind you, laughing and clapping you on
the shoulder. My poor brain reeled-I
was mad and knew tim mad now-T
Gamma live out this day. feel my blood
freeze. Oh, God, be merciful to me a
sinner, and save, oh, save my Jamie~
Her head reclined upon his bosom, she
gazed upon him for moment, and ex-
PRED in his arms.
He had preached his last sermon. No
entreaties of a congregation who loved
him-no fattering offers of future pre-
ferment rendered by the gentry, could
induce him to resume his labors as min
lister.
Five or six years passed, when the
writer of this, who was his schoolfellow,
accidentally met him in London. jamie
was then one of the principal teachers in
a large educational establishment, and
was highly esteemed for his moral excel
lence of character, as well as his learning
and skill as a successful teacher. He
was dressed in deep mourning, Stunned
society, and 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 pre-
sent 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 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 glasses.
What he said, or how he conducted him
self, no effort could recall-thc death Of
Belle alone had merged in itself the doings
of that fearful day. The compliments
which he received sounded in bis ears
like satire and mockcry, and the very
name Of liquor impressed him with hor-
ror.
He left home and came TO London,
where he obtained a situation as teach
er; but everything appeared 50 black to
him that he expressed fear he should, in
some unguarded moment, destroy him
self
His friend, who was a sailor, suggest
ed some active employment that would
call into play his physical faculties, and
thus give his mind a resting spell, before
the mast in ship.
81 like your suggestion, said he, "but
| dislike the sea-"
"Thcn turn soldier and seek employ
ment in India, where there is always
plenty offghting."
II WILL" he said, springing from his