Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-06-10
ihE TORY PREACHER AND YOuNG
MAJOR;
VI, church Discipline in Olden Times.
CONTINTFD.

She was the belle of the VILLAGE and O,
cuttings, and pairing bees, and dances. she
was tne lie OF the company. 1 had long had
my eyes upon her as the choice of my heart,
but there were so many that went to see her on
sunday evenings, it was but seldom that L
could Ind chance to speak with her But /
was Industrious and prudent, saving all that |
could earn, that might have a pleasant home
To oner The Deacon, too, favored me- and
seeing | was of steady turn of mind often in
vited me to mis- house. But Young Stafford II
seems, all unbeknown to the Deacon loved her
also; but he was such a wild, bold youth, and
moreover, 50 ut swords point with the minis
ter, that he never dared reveal his feelings,
save by sundry little attentions, noticed only
by Polly herself Now il happened that the
Deacon had, with great labor cleared a patch
and planted 1t with Corn. 1t was growing
hnely on the new, rich land, and the Young
ears were already formed, and promised a fine
harvest, but for several successive SUNDAYS
there was great destruction in the corn field
In vain he made scarecrOws and set traps and
even put one of his old coats on pole, a sight
that would frighten the worst boy in the vii
lage, tor he was the tithing man, that terror Of
rOgueS. But the next Sunday the mischief was
repeated, till the patience of the old gentleman
was nearly worn out. But he belonged to a
church remarkable for the rigidity of its tenets
and the strctness of its discipline; to have per-
mltted any one to stay at home to watch corn
field would have been considered heinous Of
fence.
Il declare said the old deacon one sun
day after sundown, i've shall lose all our corn
unless we catch those rascaly thieves Who
knows but they are Indians 30
As he spoke he accidentally looked at Polly
She sat in the corner of the great oak settle
which stood before the fire, watching the puff
ing steam from the tea kettle, and looking
somewhat sad.
"Why, Polly" said the deacon, with more
animation than usual, ''among all the rest of
my troubles lately, L have been bothered by
two or three young men who want you for a
wife. L have u mind to say that whoever will
shoot or take prisoner the thief who steals my
corn, shall have you for Il wife
Polly looked up in surprise at this novel
mode OF dispOsing of her hand; but the next
instant there was rOguiSh twinkle in her
black eye, and turning to her father she said
gaily, - A bargain, if YOU please
She knew very well WHO would be first upon
the field, and whose courage and perseverance
would be the most likely to hold out the long
est.
But will you keep your promise, father
i wouldn't have it said that the deacon Of
the church ever told a lie; so l say it now
whoever will shoot or take prisoner the thief,
shall have Polly Burr for his Wife
This conversation was overheard by the hired
boy. and soon circulated through the village
Great was the commotiOn among the young men
of the place. As for myself, / rode far and
near; / examined the corn field by night, and
devised every means in my power to ascertain
the offender. Indeed, on; whole night watched
behind the stump Ot an old tree. But there
was no avail.
But the very next Sunday, when Parson
Goodman was saying, /" the ninth head of my
discourse" the congregation were startled by
the report Of gun.
There was 4 general rising, and great COM
motion among the women. Our first thought
was of Indians or Tories. There was a rush
for the door, tumbling over children and a
screaming of their mothers.
But what our surprise, when fairly
landed upon the green, TO see young Stafford
dragging with all his strength a huge bear.
that to all appearance had just breathed her
last
I've caught her, Deacon be shouted.
" I've caught the rascal at last =! he repeated
and caught her too in the very act, you can
See for yourself, he added, pointing to the dis
tended mouth half filed with yet unchewed
corn The poor deacon stood mute with aston
ishment, for he recollected that, Jeptha like
he had made rash vow.
The minister was the first to break silence
His Indignation at being disturbed in his dis
course, and his anger at such an open violation
of holy time, were at the boiling point lie
exclaimed in his loudest tones :. Young man
who you, that you should disturb the wOr.
ship Of the sanctuary Know you not that you
breaking the laws Of God and man! Con-
stable Chapman, arrest this man and hold him
prisoner until further disposal can be made of
his person.
Poor Stafford was thunderstruck; he had in
tended no harm, but in his eagerness to dis
play his prize, and suppOsing service over, he
had FASTENED towards the village. 1t had not
once occurred TO him that he was a church men,
her, and as such liable to censure.
He knew that ii was wrong to absent himself
from meeting, but he thought the offence would
be pardOned, because Of the benefit conferred
Seeing be was about to be taken prisoner, he
at first resisted but reeollecting that he was in
the hands of legal officer, he thought best to
submit quietly. His confinement, however
short, and another mode Of punishment
proposed.
During the week church meeting was called
and young Stafford cited to appear thereat, and
give reasons why he should not be excommu-
nicated from church for his high handed wick
edness The deacon was present. but Polly
was nowhere to be seen. When her father
proposed 80 summariy to dispose of her hand,
her first thought was OF Stafford, and knowing
his bold and daring spirit. she felt sure that he
would win Poor girl She little thought of
such sad termination Of the affair. To be
excOmmunicated from church was, in the eyes
of that little community, a most grievOus IN
Fiction. Such unfortunates were considered
as losing caste, and were ranked among pagans
aud inhdels
Stafford pleaded his own cause with all the
elOquence he could command In vain did he
contend that il was lawful to do good the
Sabbath day be spoke before judges deter
mined 20 condemn
lie was accordingly condemned to be present
on the next Sabbath when the sentence would
be read. In the meantime the lovers had an
interview Poor Polly could DO little else but
weep Her father said nothing, but looked
stern and displeased.
But you say. Polly" repeated Stafford,
that II / am DOT excommunicated your father
will consent
- He cannot help doing SO, she answered; {;
O. but be thinks the Bible condemns church
members marrying nOn-professors, and would
not dare TO give his consent TO our marriage if
they turn you out Of the church"
But L tell you not going to leave the
church: that tory minister will find that he
cannot manage me so easily"
q. But ii is already decided" said Polly ;
the papers are already made out, and to-