The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-07-23
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A Romantic Story.


Some twenty years ago, young man,
whom shall call " jamie was pastor
of large congregation Of the Establish.
ed Church Of Scotland At school and
at college he was distinguished for his
love of learning. and as a minister was
distinguished for his eloquence and men
tai attainmeuts. lie had been settled
about year. and was upon the eve of
being married to fine young women
whom he had loved from childhood when
the heritors and several English gentlo-
men. who were then on a visit to the
North, attended the kirk to hear the fa-
nous preacher IIe more then verified
his fame ; he cnraptured his audience.
His theme was the story of his church.
Its many disas'erous wars, its martyrs,
its heroes, its undying hopes even when
despair seemed to enshroud it in endless
night, its unwcried tolls, and its final tri-
umph, where each in turn presented to
the minds of the hearers, with a power
and feeling which defy description. He
stood the genius of eloquencc rersonifed
But there was one among his hearers who
was not bewildered by his glowing pic
ture.
The gcntlc.hcartcd Belle his betrothed,
when the congregation dispersed, follow
ed him to the manse. ia received her
in his study, hu: while conducting her to
the chair she sank To the floor, aud burst
into tears. 'Oh Jamie !" she exclaim.
90. as he raised her tenderly in his arms
aud seated her on a sofa, ''yc hae broken
my puir heart !" How so, me Belle ?
explain" ',Ye were drunk, raviug drunk
Jamie and | wonder the elders did nae
tax ye'o the pulpit. Ye whincd and ran.
ted sometimes, God forgive me for say
ing sac, thought saw the evil one stan
ding behind you laughing and clapping
you on the shoulder. Nv 'puir brain
reeled-I was mad and knew it-I'm
mad now | caunot live out this day-I
feel my blood freeze Oh, God, be mer.
ciful to me a sinner, and save, oh, save
my jamie !" Her head reclined
upon his bosom, she gazod upon him for a
moment, and expired in his arms
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
iu largo educational establishment, and
was highly esteemed for bis excellence of
character, as well as learning and skill
as successful teacher He was dressed
in deep mourning, Stunned society. and
wheu the labors Of the day closed he
either wandered alone through the
streets, or retired to his lodgings. Tho
scene of Bellies death was ever present
to his memory.
Her pure soul he said, saw him o he
was poor vain, self conccted sinner.
For the purpose of concentrating his
thought and infusng life into his ser.
mons, he was in the hebit Of taking o
glass of whiskey before entering the pull
pit. The morning before be 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 the death of
Belle alone had merged in itself the do,
ings Of that fearful day. The compli
ments which he received sounded in his
f v,
very name of liquor impressed him with
horror
He left home and came TO London,
/ where he obtained situation as teacher,
but everything appeared 50 black to him
that he expressed fear that he should
in some uugardcd mOmont destroy him
self
His friend, who was a sailor sugges-
ted some active employment that would
call into play his physical faculties, and
and thus give his mind resting spell,
and ended by Offering to procure him a
place before the mast, in a ship. II
like your suggestion he said but dis
like ihe Then turn soldier, and
seek employment in India where there
is always . plenty Of fighting II will