The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1861-06-26

1nero was EeneFaI rising anu
great commotion among the women
Our first thought was of Indians O
tories. There was rush for the doc
tumbling over children and scream
of their mothers. But what was ou
surprise when landed upon the green
to see young Stafford dragging witt
all his might huge bear that to al
appearances had just breathed hel
last I've caught her, Deacon" be
shouted; eve caught the rascal al
last !" he repeated-"and caught her
too in the very act, you can see for
yourself" he added, pointing to the
distended mouth half filed with I'M
chewed corn. The poor deacon stood
mute with astonishment, for he recol-
lected that, Jeptha like, he had made
a rash VOW.
The minister was the first to break
silence. His indignation at being dis
turbed In his discourse, and his anger
at such an open violation of holy time
were at boiling point. He exclaimed
In his loudest tones
young man. who are you that
should disturb the worship of the
sanctuary. Know you not that you
are breaking the laws of God and man 2
Constable Chapman, arrest this man
and hold him prisoner until further
disposal can be made of his person"
Poor Stafford was thunderstruck.
He had intended no harm, but in his
eagerness to display his prize, and
supposing services over, he had has
tened towards the village. It had not
once occurred to him that be was a
church member, and as such, liable to
cenaare.
He knew that it was wrong to ab-
sent himself from meeting, but he
thought the offence would be pardoned
because of the benefit conferred. See-
ing he was about to be taken prisoner,
he at first resisted, but recollecting he
was in the hands of legal officer, he
thought best to submit quietly. His
confinement was however short, and
another mode of punishment was pro.
posed.
During the week, church meeting
was called, and young Stafford cited to
appear thereat, and give reasons why
he should not be expelled from the
church for his high-handed wickedness
The deacon was present, but Polly
was nowhere to be seen. When her
father proposed to dispose so summa-
rily of her hand, her frst thought was
of Stafford, and knowing his bold AND
daring spirit, she felt sure he would
win. Poor girl she little thought of
such sad termination of the affair.
to be accommodated, from the church
was, in that little community griev-
ous affection. Such unfortunates
were considered as losing caste, and
were ranked among pagans and inf
dels.
Stafford pleaded his own cause with
all the eloquence he could command.
In vain did he contend that it was
lawful to do good on the Sabbath day,
he spoke before the judges determined
to condemn him.
He was accordingly commanded to
be present on the next Sabbath, when
the sentence would be read: Tn the
meantime, the lovers had On interview
Poor Polly could not do else but weep.
Her father said nothing, but looked
stern and displeased.
"But you say, Polly" repeated SAT-
ford, "that if an. mot excommunicat
ed, yonr father will consent I"
"He cannot help doing So" she
answered, "but he thinks the Bible con-
demns the church-members marrying
non professors, and he would not dare
| give his consent to our marriage II
they turn You out"
"But I tell you I am not going to
leave the church that tory minister
cannot manage me so easily"
"But it is already decided" said
Polly, 'ths papers are already made
out, and tomorrow it viii be read"
"Tbey will not read it, trust me
Polly" and thus they departed.
| Sunday came, end with 1t the whole
congregation to meeting. The who's
congregation, did | say All except
young Saffo.d. But when afternoon
service was about half over, he entered
with his gun loaded, and brace o.
pistols, his sword ar d cartridge boz
by his side, and his knapsack on his
back with six days provision in it. He
marched into corner and there took
up his position. As soon as the bene
diction was pronounced, Parson Good
man began to read the excommunica'
| tion but he had not proceeded far
when Stafford entered the aisle in bis
martial array, cooked and levelled BIZ
gun, exclaiming: proceed if yor
Aarn 2 prooand ond Won arn a dnaf