Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-02-12
THE DEiCGN's DAUGHTER.
TIE STORY OF A BROKEN HEART.
=" She loved not wisely, but TOO WE'LL"

cue lOVcu EOt Hlsciy, Out LOO WE'LL
1t was balmy, pleasant Sabbath NOR.
ming; so green and tranquil was our val
ley home that the very air seemed more
holy than ON other days. The dew was
floating i'll veil of mist from the mead.
ows of School Hill, where the sunshine
came warmly, while the wild flowers in
the valley lay in shadow, still heavy with
the night rain. The trees which feathered
the hiIsides were wildly green, and Cas-.
tie Rock towered-a magnificent picture
its base washed by the water, and
darkened by the unbroken shadow, while
soft, feecy cloud, woven and impreg.
mated with . silvery light, hoated among
the topmost cliffs The two villages lay
upon their opposite hills, with the deep
river gliding between, like miniature
cities deserted by the feet of men not a
sound rose to disturb the sweet music of
nature, for it was the hour of prayer, and
there was scarcely q hearth-stone, which,
at that time, was not made domestic
altar.
At last deep be!l-tone came sweeping
over the valley from the Episcopal stee-
pie, and was answered by cheerful peal
from the belfry of the new academy.
The reverberations were still sounding.
mellowed by the distant rocks, when the
hitherto silent village seemed suddenly
teeming with life The dwelling-houses
were flung open, and the inhabitants came
forth in happy, smiling groups, prepared
for worship.
Gradually :hey divided into separate
partics-thc Presbyterians walking slow.
ly towards their huge old meeting house,
and the more gaily dressed Episcopaians
seeking their more fashionable house of
worship. 1t was a pleasant sight, those
people gathering together for so goo6
purpose. Old people were out, grand.
mothers, with the blossom of the grave
on their aged temp.es Children, with
their rosy cheeks and sunny eyes, rem
dered more rosy with pride of their
white frocks, pretty straw bonnets, and
pink wrcaths. 1t was pleasant to sec the
little men aud women striving in vain to
slodue their bounding steps, and school
their sparkling faces to so!emnity be-
fitting the occasion.
There might be seen the newly-married
pair, walking bashfuliy apart, not daring
to venture on the unprecedented boldness
of linking arms in public, yet feeling
very awkward, almost envying another
couple who led roguish little girl be-
tween them, she. mischievous little
thing, all the while exerting her baby
strength to wiring that chubby hand from
her mothers grasp; pouting her cherry
lips when either of her idolizing parents
checked her bounding step or too noisy
pratte. and, at last, subdued only by in.
tense admiration Of her red morocco
shoes, as they flashed in and out like
brace of wood-lilies beneath her spotted
muslin dress. Apart from the rest, and
lingering along the green sward, which
grew rich and thick on either part of the
way, another group perchance was gath.
cred. Young girls, schoolmates and
friends, with their heads bending together,
and smiles dimpling their fresh lips, all
doubtless conversing about sacred themes,
bcftting the day. Such was the aspect
Of our little village on the Sabbath, when
The subject of this little sketch takes us
TO the old Presbyterian meeting house, or
school, a sombre, ancient pile.
The academy bell had not ceased ring
ng, when the congregation came slowly
n through the different doors of the meet
ng house, and arranged themselves at
will in the square pews which crowded
he body. The minister had not arrived
"a circumstance which occurred to some t
If the congregation as somewhat singular. t
twenty years he had been their pastor,
md during that time never kept his con-
,regation waiting {
At length he appeared at the southern
ntrance, and walked up the aisle, follow |
ID by his graysheaded old deacon. The
minister paused at the foot of the stairs.
nd with look of the most deep and re- +
pectfnl reverence, held the door of the t
deacon's seat" while the old man passed e
n. That little attention went to the dea. b
on's heart; he raised his heavy eyes to b
he pastor with meek and heart-touch. q
1g expression of gratitude that softened o
Many who looked at it, even to tears. r
The minister turned away and went I'D v
he stairs, not in his usual sedate manner Ii
ut hurriedly and with unsteady footsteps. b
When he arrived in the pulpit, those who D
at in the gallery saw him fall on his o o
pnds, and pray earnestly, and, it might h
e, to weep, for when he arose his eyes Fl
ere dim and flushed. f
Directly after the entrance of the min. "