Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-07-19
MISCELLANY.
THE ToLLING BELL.

Not many months ago, in one Of ny sum
mer rambles, | found myself an q. beautiful
Sabbath morning the guest Of worthy and IN
telligcnt family, in quiet country village.
Tie carly breakfast was over parents and
children had joined in reading chapter in the
Bible; Mr.. Sedgwick, the mead of the family,
had then offered upa fervent prayer, at the
conclusion Of which we all arose from our
knees when our ears were greeted by theclear,
| deep pealS of the ringing church bell.
80 late" exclaimed Mrs. Sedswick, look
ing at the clock. Our time-piece must be
slow"
That is not the first bell for church" re-
piled her husband, solemnly. There has been
Il death in the village. The bell is going to
toll for Martin Lord"
"Such, then. is lis unhappy endw unused
his wife. "Well, it will be wrong to mourn
his death If death was ever mcrcilul pro-
whence tits so in this case"
is it a person who had been long sick": !
asked
Instead Of answering my question directly,
Mr. Sedgwick said There is very molan-
choly history connected with that young man.
1t is now some time since the excitement occa-
stoned by this strange tragedyd died away; but
the tolling of the bell this morning must bring
it back forcbly to every heart. Perhaps you
would be interested to hear the story Z"
expressed my desire to listen to the uarra-
ton npnn which Eas, friend. .4,Aao- the do
tails of the following story, which relate with
only a slight deviation from the oriSinal:-
Martin Lord was once the flower ana the
hope of one of the most respected families IN
the village His amiable disposition and supe-
rior intellect procured for him universal love
and esteem
Although ola slight fgure, and pale features,
which indicated a constitution by no means ro-
bust. Martin was marked for bis uncommon
beauty; and indeed his fine, noble forehead,
shaded by locks Of soft brown hair, his large
expressive blue eyes straight nose, with thin
Grecian nostrils, and rather voluptuous mouth,
entitled him to that consideration.
Martin was great favorte with the ladies,
old and young; but lie never showed any
marked partiality to any one, until lie became
intimate with Isabella Ashton, the daughter Of
our late clergyman, who died Of grief about Il
year ago.
No two things could be more different. Isa-
bella was the most young and thoug,tles glri
in our village. She could have little Sympathy
with a person Of such deep feelings aud eleya-
ted intellect as Martin; and beautiful as she
was. it seemed strange that he should have Civ
en- his love TO her. There is no doubt but she
was attached to him perhaps she loved him
as well as she was capable of loving any one /;
but in this instance, as in all others, her aiiec-
tions were secondary to her love Of sarcasm aud
mischief
Martin and Isabella had been pointed out as
lovers, by village gossips, for several months;
lie was now nineteen, and she was Of the same
ace. when the tragedy occurred, which the toll
ing Of the bell has recalled to my memory.
1t was on an autumn evening nearly tTe
wears since that Isabella took advantage Of the
absence Of her father to have social gathering
Of young people at her house. Martin, Of
course, was present, with the fairest youths aud
maidens; and being under 10 restraint from the
gravity Of the clergyman, who was not expect
ed home till late, the company enjoyed them
selves freely with tests, songs, and social games.
The hour ut which such parties usually broke
mp bad already passed, and there was no relaxa-
tion in the gayety of the young people, when
some one fooislly mentioned the subject Of
ghosts, something Of that description having
heen reported as having been seenin tLeylclAi-
ty Of the churchyard.
I" 1t is a silly report said Martin. 4" No
body can believe that ghost has really been
seen there; and doubtif any person here be-
lieyes in the existence Of ghosts"
:" You do yourself You know you do, Martin.
although you are ashamed toown it, cried Isa-
bella: but Martin only laughed. "Come, now,
continued the thoughtlcs' girl, Z" / can prove
that you have some idea that such things may
exist Go to the churcbyard alone in the dark,
and then declare, if you can, that You felt no
fear"
And what would that proye?"
"Wby, you will be frightened, though you
should see nothing Your fears would put
your belief to the test. How could you be
afraid if you Gid not feel that there was some
thing to be afraid of"
II do not think your logic is the best iD the /
world" replied Martin laughing. "gen are
often troubled with fear, when their reason tells
them there is no cause 10 fear. But deny. In |
the first place, that a journey TO the church
yard, even at midnight, would frighten NE in |
the least"
"Ha. hal but you shall not escape so :"
laughed Isabella. Here, before our friends, /
promise that this ring shall be your" she con-
tinued, displaying one given her by an old 10
yer, which Martin had often desired her 10 part
with, "proTided YOU go to the churchyard a.