Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-11-09
Sclett. .Tale..
tFrom the Washington Star ]
MARRYING THE MINISTER.

MARRYING THE MINISTER.
Lila Golding and Rebecca Crawford, tw,
8 light hearted school maids as ever loved eacl
other, were what young girls call "lptiuat
, friends" That is, 10 all hours Of school re
, creation they were seeu walking arm in arm
D absorbed iD the most earnest aud doubles
: important conversation. They exchanged
macy ana mysterious glaDces during the hour
of study, as if the Fates had entangled th,
web OF their lives in one perplexiDg piece =
They dotted on the same teachers, read tht
same books, enjoyed together beautiful sun
sets. we're melancholy through presentimen
OF future sorrow, in the moonlight and wer,
even known to meet at sunrise, and in uDsor
rbapsodize over the gluries Of the rising
luninary . .sI
Notwithstanding oil this intimacy, these
maideDs were very dissmilar. They were
unlike 10 appearance and temperament, anc
there was also difference in their surround
ings. Rebeccs was one of five daughters, o.
an aged Presbyterian minister, who bad
exercised his pastoral functions over the same
small but united flock, during a period Of
thirty years.
Riches, he had none-of that perishube
nature generally denomnated as such, by the
world He was not great nor yet very
d-vout but certainly comfortably good
man. Pleasant in his memory to all us young
people, as we Snew him in his genisl home,
with regard to the mortal WEAKNESS inflicted
by bis sermons-so prosaic and verbose for
those, too. we give him thanks as among
the salutary penaeces imposed upon our
needless youth.
Lila was called an heiress, and being at
only and orphan child. she was caressed.
nm m, M rod al al ho ;,l l,1
gent grandparents Her tastes were capri
cious, and she varied from grave to gay, as
her fancies or impulses directed. Animated
and humorous, or sad aud sentimental, the
very contrasts she presented, added to tbo,e
golden charms she was known to possess
nude her Il village BELLE The simple and
peaceful home OF the pastor was her delight,
and often she was welcomed there as u
cherished guest, and the happy recipient Of
it's humble hospitalties.
The minister's house Fresh ia my mind
is its every apartment, and all its pecularitips.
1t was rambling, disconnected old mansion,
bsviug been built by one nan, added to by
another, and completed by third and SO
had 10 definite character, bnt realised a
succession OF idiosyncrasies. Yet the effect
was rather captivating, than incongruous.
The dwelling certainly was not common place,
and had to be studied out, piece by piece, as
il had orignated. 1t stood alone-ten grace.
tul locust trees shaded an ample front, and
harmonlsed cbarmiDgly with the sainted
white and green of the exterior. This house
was placed upon the banks of lovely stream,
garden, which was arranged with some
pretentons to elegauce--for several terraces
aLd flights OF stone steps. gradually led you
on to the rivers edge. In the lower gsrden
space, very near the water, was q grove of
mulberry trees. They were planted because
Mrs. Crawford desired to cultivate the silk.
worm, and had done SO with considerable
success. Near this grove was placed an arbor
OF wooden trellis work, covered with the
fragrant woodbiue-happy retreat of bum.
ming birds muring and sparkling. as they
fitted DER their leufy shelter, and offered the
incense OF the flowers to Heaven-tbe little
guardian spirits of woodbne bowers A
pleasing spot was the home so long occupied
by the good man and bis aIpctionute family.
have said that Lila was village belle
che had numerous udmirers- young LAWYERS,
doctors, students, aud now aud then she
attracted the homage Of some ubfortupate
wanderer, who remaiurd too long foi his own
peace OF heart, IN this dangerous little town
Rebeccs. too, was captivating, and especially
so to one class Of men, who are supposed to
be sllurrdby intrinsic charms alone-to oung
ministers. Several of these gentlemen, who
had, according to evangelical and established
custom, been her fathers guests (and not
permitted TO remain at the village inn) at
dflereut tipes, tarried. Unexpectedly TO
themselves, over to another Sabbath--and
they preached the gospel with great sweet.
NJ ss aud tervor, quite melting the susceptible
hearts of various spinsters 10 the cougrega.
ton. Rebecca was the primal source of this
Increase and depth of unctiou-quiet demure,
mschieyous Rebecca Nj odelled to utward
seeming, into most admirable mechaDism of
movement aud feeling, yet for all that, over
howing with most consammate, frolicsume
love OF the grotesque, aud the ridiculous.
1t was during summer vacation that
Lllas grand parents permitted their darling !
to spend week with her friend Rebecca -
The welcome day which commenced this
much enjoyed visit, also brought ae an inmate
and yister a young clergyman. Mr.. Dum-
barton was just prepared for bis mission, and
was about to take charge of congregation |
in Western Virginia lie was a tall pale,
slender pious, Intellectual looking youth
and had an distracted manner,,as il detached |
from the things of this world and absorbed |
with themes of high and sacred import. The !
euect VI tnie 'uletThlI style OF proceeding, |
was enrspturing for the coquettisb romantic |
school girls. The very morning OF his arrival
be produced such an impression upon Lila |
that she declared to Rebecca, and with every
appearance OF distress, that she not only con. |
sidered herself remarkably unfortunate |
young lady, but that she was in very truth, a
miserable, detected being "Alas," sighed
plalntive Lila, "bow can ever regard myself
as aught but frivolous creature, and quite |
unit to occupy serious thought of any mau |
oil sense. Here am at the advanced age Of
sixteen, the object Of the nonsensicsl stten. |
tions OF worldly men, who, according to your
worthy fathers doctrine, are mere worship. |
pers of Mammon, when they offer incense at
my shrine. Alb, Rebecca, never yet have |, |
not having spared my best efforts, been able
to elicit the regard of one deyout, solemn,
young parson! No." said she. giving her
clustering riuglets a disdainfol toss, and
throwing them back from the brow they
shaded. mot that would care straw to be
q minister's wife-no, not ], forsootb But
oh, how ] would like to have the rare privi.
lege just to say-No! Then i should feel
that at least one person pursuing such holy
vocation, had thought me 6t and good enough
to be his companion. II must-it shall be