Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-07-15

I ed wickedneSs. The deacon was present, bu
| Polly was nowhere to be seen. When her ia
ther proposed so summarily TO dispose of hel
hand, her first thought was of Stafford, ant
knowing his bold and daring spirit, she fell
sure that he would win. Poor girl! She lit
tie thought of such sad termination of the
affair. To be accommodated from the
church, was in the eyes of that little commu-
nifty most grievous infiction. Such unfor-
tunates were considered as losing caste, and
were ranked among pagans and infidels.
Stafford pleaded his own case with all the ell
oquence he could command. s:In vain did he
con,end that it was lawful to do good on the
Sabbath day, he spoke before the judges de-
termincd to condemn
He was accordingly commanded to be pres
ent on the next Sabbath, when the sentence
would be read. In the mean time the lovers
had an interview. Poor Polly could do little
else but weep. Her father said nothing but
looked stern and displeased.
ssBut you say, Polly repeated Stafford,
ssthat if l am not excomn1unicated, your IA
thcr will consent -
s'He cannot help doing so,' she answered,
s:but he thinks the Bible condemns church
members marrying non professors, and he
would not dare to give his consent to Dur mar
riege if they turn you out of church,
'sBut 1 tell you am NOT going to leave the
church; that tory minister will find that he
cannot manage me so easily.''
ssBut it is already decided, )" said Polly, ssthe
papers are already made out, and tomorrow it
will be read.''
ssThey 1ciH not read it, trust me, Polly -
and thus they parted.
Sunday came, and with it the Whole congre-
cation 10 meeting. The whole, did 1 say
All except young Stafford. But when the af-
ternoon service was about half over, he enter
ed, his gun loaded with brace of balls, his
sword and cartridge box on his side, and his
knapsack on his back with six days provisions
in it. He marched into corner and there
took up his position. AS soon as the benedic-
| tion was pronounced, parson Goodman began
TO read the accommodation, but he had not
proceeded far when Stafford entered the aisle
in his martial array, cooked and leveled his
pistol, exclaiming, ssProceed if you dare
Proceed, and you are 4 dead man!'' The
fear. shrunk behind his pulpit, and handed the
paper to one of his deacons. He trembling
from head to foot endeavored to obey; the
same threat was repeated, and Stafford added,
ssDesist and march, or you are ell dead men
I will not leave this house in shame.'' Not
many minutes elapsed before the house was
cleared, and the daring young man left its sole
occupant. He locked the door, put the keys
into his pocket, and sent them, the next day.
with his respects, to the minister. He thus
remained member of the church, in 'Egood
and regular standing," until the day of his
death Deacon Burr received such evidence
of the perseverance of his self-elected son,
that he dared not refuse his consent to the
marriage.
s.And, grandpa, didn't you feel sadly" said
little Alice.
ssThere's your Aunt Sally, coming up the
walk, from the sewing society; she'll have n
batch of news all fresh from the manufactory,
he replied, ssrun and meet her,