Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-09-07
WRITTEN FOR rHB STAB.
MARRYING THE MINISTER.
BY CORINNK.

[wRIrTEN FOR rHs STAR.
MARRYING THE MINISTER.
BY coRINNB.
Lila Goldipg and Rebecca Crawford. two
ighthsarted school maids ss ever loved each
other, were what young girls call "intimate
friends" That is, In all hours of school recrs-
alton they wereseen walking arm In arm; alb
sorbed in the most earnest and doubtless i'm
Portant conversation They exchanged many
and mysterious glsnoes during hours of study,
as If the Fatss had entangled the web of their
lives In one perplexing piece! They dotted
on the same teachers, read the same books,
enjoyed together beautiful sunsets, were mel
ancholy through presentiment of future sor-
row, In the moonlight; and were even known
to meet at sunrise, and in unison rhapsodize
over the glories of the rising luminaryi
Notwithstanding all this intimacy, these
msidens were very dissimilar. They were
unlike in appearance and temperament, and
there was also difference in their surround.
ings. Rebeccs was one of FIVE daughters of
an aged Presbyterian minister, who had exer-
cised his pastoral functions over the same
small but united fook, during a period of
thirty years.
Riches, he had none-of that perishable ma
ture generally denominated as such, BY the
world. he was not great, nor yet a very
devout, but certainly comfortably good man
Pleasant In his memory to all us Young peo-
regard to the mortal WEAKNESS inflicted by his
sermons-so prosaic and verbose-for those
too, We give him thanks; as among the sslu-
tary penances imposed upon our needless
youth.
Lila was called an hsirsss, and being an
only and orphan child, she was caressed, pam
pered. and almost idoliIed, by very indulgent
grandparents. Her tastes were capriciou., and
she varied from grave to gay, as her fancies or
impulses directed. Animated and humorous,
or sad and sentimental, the very contrasts she
presented, added to those golden charms she
was known 10 possess, made her a village belle.
The simple and peaceful home Of the pastor
was her delight, and often she was welcomed
there, as q cherished guest, and the happy
recipient Of its humble hospitalities.
The ministers house. Fresh Ia my mind is
its every apartment, and all its peculiarities
1t was rambling, disconnected old mansion,
having been built by one man, added to by
another, and completed by third; and so had
no definite character, but realized a succession
OF idiosyncrasies. Yet the effect was rather
captivating, than incongruous The dwelling
certainly was not commonplace, and had to
be studied out, piece by piece, as it had orig
mated: 1t stood alone-ten graceful locust
trees shaded an ample front, and harmonized
charmingly with the painted white and green
of the exterior. This house was placed upon
the banks Of q lovely stream, and was enyi-
roned by carefully cultivated garden, which
was arranged with some pretensions 10 ele-
ganoe-for several terraces and flights of stone
steps, gradually led you on to the rivers edge.
In the lower garden space, very near the water,
was grove Of mulberry trees. They were
planted because Mrs. Crawford desired to cul-
dyate the silkworm, and had done So with
considerable success. Near this grove was
placed an sfbor Of wooden trellis- work COW
cred with the fragrant woodbine-happy re-
treat Of humming birds! murmuring and
sparkling, as they hittsd o'er their lesfy shell
ter, and offered the incense Of the flowers to
Heaven-the little guardian spirits of wood
bine bowers! A pleasing spot was the home
30 long occupied by this good man, and his
afeetionate family.
have said that Lila was village belle
she bad numerous sdmirers-young lawyers,
doctors, students, and row and then, she at
tracted the homage Of some unfortunate wan
derer, who remained too long for his own
peace Of heart, In this dangerous little town.
Rebecca too, was captivating, and especially
50, to one class of men, who are supposed to be
be allured by intrinsic charms alone-to young
ministers. Several Of these gentlemen, who
had, according to evangelical and established
custom, been her fathers guests land net per-
mitted to remain at the village inn) at differ
ent times, tarried, Unexpectedly to themselves
over TO another Sabbath-and they preached
the gospel with great sweetness and feryor,
quite melting the susceptible hearts of various
spinsters in the congregation. Rebecca was
the primal source Of this increase and depth
Of unction-quiet, demure mischieyous Re-
beccs. Modelled to outward seeming, into
most admirable mechanism Of movement and
feeling, yet for all that, overfowing with most
oonsun mate, frolicsOme love of the grotesoue
and the ridiculous.
It was during summer vacation that Lilia's
grand parents permitted their darling to spend
week with her friend Rebecca The welcome
day which commenced this much enjoyed visit,
also brought as an inmate and visitor a young
Clergyman. Mr.. Dumbarton was lust prepared
for his mission, and wss about to take charge
Of q congregation in Western Virginia He
was q tall, pale, slender, pious, Intellectual
looking youth; and had an distracted manner,
as II detached from the things Of this world,
and sbsorbe with themes Of high and sacred
import. The effect Of this "distrait" style of
proceeding, wa, snraptuIins for the cOque.-
tish, romantic school girls The very morn
ing Of his arrival he produced such an i'm
preston upon Lila that she declared to Re-
beooa, and with every appearance of distress,
that she not only considered herself q remark
ably unfortunate young lady, but that she
was, in very truth, miserable, detected be-
ing. "Alss," sighed plaintive Lila, show
eau ever regard my.sif as aught but a friy.
olOus creature, and quite unit to occupy a
serious thought Of any man of sense. Here
am /, at the advanced age Of sixteen, the OBJ
ject Of the nonsensieal attentions Of worldly
men, who, according 70 your worthy father Q
doctrine, are mere Worshippers of Msmmon,
when they offer incense at my shrine. Ah,
Eebeeea, never yet have /. not hsving spared
my best efforts, been able to elicit the regard
Of one devout, solemn, young parson, Not"
said she, giving her clustering ringlets q dis
dsinfnl toss, and throwing them back from
the brow they shaded; '.not that would care
straw to be q minister's wife-no, not I, for
eooth, But oh, how would like 70 have the
rare privilege just 70 say-Ns! Then I should
feel that ct least one person pursuing such q
holy vocation, had thought me ct and good
enough 70 be his companion. It must-it shall
be So Yes, this very week. Mr. Dumbarton
shall fall in love, Rebecca-fall In Iove-and
with me, too-not you my pet; else, shall be
despondent and wretched. Yet fail7 Is0ill
NOT"
Rsbecca smiled, but did not reply. I'D.
Daring this conversation they asoended the
terraces and walk through the garden. Boon
they enter the neat parlor, where Mr.. Dunn.
barton is silently msditating on the fall Of
man. What . Transformation Of characters
Has Lila become suddenly q penitent-per.
chance q saint? She Ii one Of the converted
certainly-fOr she seems TO have attained Z