Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-02-12

l;arOunQ,4 HlleQ WIFI wine, Us Hc Hau uoIle
for twenty years before, though many an
eye filled with tears as it marked the
trembling of that hand, which more than
once caused the cup to shake, and the
wine 10 run down its sides to the floor.
There was an absent smile upon his face
when he came to his daughters sect. On
finding it empty, he stood bewildered,
and looked helplessly around upon the
congregation, as if he would have inquired
why she was not there. Suddenly he
seemed to recollect; mortal paleness
overspread his face. The wine cup drop
ped from his hand, and he was led away,
crying like child.
Many of the brethren visited the afflict.
ed man during the next week. They al
ways found him in his orchard, wandering
about under the happy boughs and pick
ing up the withered green apples which
the worms had eaten away from their un-
ripe stems. These he diligently boarded
away near large sweetbriar bush, which
grew in corner of the rail fence. On
the next Sabbath he appeared in the
meeting house accompanied by the min
lister as we have described, to be outraged
in the house of God by the presence of
the man who had desolated his home. 1t
is little wonder that even there his just
wrath was for moment kindled. The
services began, and that erring girl lis
tened to it as one in dream. Her heart
seemed in painful sleep; but when the
minister closed the Bible and sat down,
the stiffness made her start. A keen
sense of her position came over her. She
cast frightened look toward tie pulpit,
and then sunk back pale and nervous.
Her trembling hand wandered in search
of her mothers. The old lady look
ed on her with fond grief, whispered
soothing words, and tcnderly pressing
the little hand that had so imploringly
besought her pity. Still the poor girl
trembled and shrunk in her seat, as if
she would have crept away from every
human eye.
The minister arose, his face looked
calm, but the paper which contained the
young girls confession shook violently in
his hand as he unrolled it. Julia knew
it was her duty to rise. She put forth her
hand, grasped the carved work Of the
seat, and stood upright till the reading
was finished, staring all the time wildly
in the parsons face as if she wondered
what it could be all about. She sat down
again, pressed hand over her ewes, and
seemed asking God to give her strength.
The minister descended from the pulpit,
for there was another ceremony yet.
baptism of the infant. The gentle, erring
girl was to 60 up alone with the child of
her shame, that it might be dedicated to
God before the congregation. She arose
with touching calmness, took the babe
from her mothers arms, and stepped into
the aisle.
She wavered at first, and keen sense
of shame dyed her face and very hands,
with painful flush of crimson, but as
she passed the pew where young Lee was
sitting, an expression of proud anguish
appeared on her countenance, her eyes
filled with tears, and she walked steadily
forward to the communicable in front
of her fathers seat
There was not fearless eye in that
congregation. Aged, stern men, bowed
their heads to conceal the sympathy be.
trayed there. Young girls, careless, light
hearted creatures, who, never, perhaps,
dreaming of the fraity of their own ma.
lures, had revled the fallen girl, now
wept and sobbed to see her thus humblcd.
Young Lee became powerfully agitated
his breast heaved, his face flushed hotly,
then turned very pale, and at last he
started up, flung open the pew door, and
hurried up the aisle with dsorcered,
unnatural step.
"What name?' inquired the parson,
bending towards the young mother, as
he took the child from her arms.
Before she had time to speak, Lee was
by her side, and answered in loud, stern
voice:
"That of his father, James Lee"
The trembling of the poor girls frame
was visible through the whole house
her hand dropped on the table, and she
leant heavily on it for support, but did
not look up The minister dipped his
hand into the antique china bowl, sprinkled
the baby's forehead, and q clear voice
pronounced the name. A faint cry broke
from the child as the cold drops fell on
his face. The noise seemed to arouse all
the hitherto unknown and mysterious
feelings of paternity slumbering in the
young fathers heart. His eyes kindled,
his checks glowed, and impulsively he
extended his arms and received the infant.
His broad chest heaved beneath it's tiny
orm, and his eyes seemed fascinated by
he deep blue orbs which the little crea-
;ure raised smiling and full of wonder to
lis face. Lee bore his boy down the
isle, laid him gently on his grandmother's
ap, and returned to the pulpit again.
lula had moved . little, and, overcome
With agitation, stood leaning against the
ailing of the pulpit. Lee bent his head
md whispered few words, and held
orth his hand. She stood for moment
ike one bewildered, gave doubtful,
rouhled look into his eye, and laid her :
and in his. He drew her gently to the
able, and, in respectful voice, requested
he minister to proceed with the marriage
ervice.
The pastor looked troubled and irreso-
lte. The whole proceeding was so an
expected and strange, that even he lost
II his presence of mind.
CA publishment is necessary by our
lws," he said, at length, casting lock
the deacon; but the old man remained
lotionless, with his hands clasped over