Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1869-06-23


time struck the open diapason, whose
tones most nearly resembled those of NJ.
Hatchers voice. Slowly L climbed the
scale, dwelling on each note, and more and
more searching into the depths of his gray
orbs. The look l was conscious of assum-
iiiG:g was of one who knew his secret, and
could read it through masks Of stone. The
Pickering of his eyes ceased. They be-
came riveted on mine. He turned pale,
and beads of sweat started from his brow.
was pressing g sharp. That was his
keynote.
'What-what is the matter? ? Are you
! sick, Mr. Hatcher p
1t was the compassionate voice of Miss
Beck, who had seen, with some alarm,
from the other side of the keyboard, my
startling experiment on the assistant min
lister. lifted my finger, withdrew my
gaze, and Mr.. Hatcher shook his head, and
started nervously away, like one reused
from horrid dream.
IL am not well | have a bad head
ache he murmured, ard sat down and
looked about confusedly. The tenor
brought glass of water, and l opened a
window TO let in more of the fresh eve
ming air In few moments Mr.. Hatcher
was better Though grati6ed at the re-
marable success of my test, L regretted
that the subject had been made i'll, and
kindly asked him what piece he would like
to have rns sing next. He thanked me,
and said he would not wait longer, but 90
home. And this he did, looking so dis
tressed, as he bade US goodnight, that |
really pitied him.
Our rehearsal over; it pleasantly fell to
my part to escort the lovely soprano to
her mothers house Precisely how l
gained the information it is not necessary
to say hut 7 was satisfied, before we got
to Mrs. Beck Sit took some time 10 make
the journey-that the young lat7's key
note had not been struck in vain.
am almost ashamed TO tell you what
followed of my experiences with Mr..
Hatcher. PLEAD the weakness Of human
curiosity, and the desire t. have a firmer
hold on the assistant minister, in case Re
continued to intrudc on the choir, a. my
excuses. Having been convinced, by the
revelations Of the keynote, that Mr..
Hatcher had an unpleasant secret in his
bosom ard feeling confident, as the police
say, there was woman in the case, ! set
On foot q cautious inquiry into the gentle
mans aatecedents. a confidential friend
of mine undertook the mission for me |
had heard that Mr. Hatcher had left his
former parish, in a county not far away
quite suddenly and unexpectedly, and tina
the ladies had keenIy regretted hi- de-
parture. Of couse, for he was man,
1 assure you, of the most ehgaging man
ners, and Of deep and genuine religions
sensibilities. Please understand, aga;n,
that 10 not deny him the possession of
many high and rare qualities.
My friend visited Mr. Hatchor's former
parish, and soon made great discovery.
He found as he had expected, that the
clergyman had achieved remarkable sue
cess among the ladies' His fine looks,
captivating ways, and emotional nature,
had each contributed TO make him quite
the idol of the pews. Being a bachelor,
a construction was put on Mr.. Hatcher's
attentions to the younger and fairer men,
bers of the church, not warranted, l am
bound to cay, by the facts If he should
be blamed for thouehtlesshess in not check
ing his powers of fascination, those who
suffered from them should also be censured
for tfis s-role2si.asz .sith vhich they r.
lowed themselves to become 80 deeply IN
tere.ted in him. You see l mean to DO
Mr.. Hatcher Justice. | feel that he Pc
euliarly deserves it from me.
One of the young ladies Of the parish
who had contracted 3 strong passion for
TIC minister, was named Emua Faye.
Che was a teartiful Girl, an orphan. living
with her aunt Religion, poetry, souti
ment, and delicate nerves, all quickcned
her admiration for him into an overpowcr-
ing love. She sat in a pew near the chan
eel, where she could see every movement
of her idol-her Cod almost-at his
solemn pfiertly rites. Mr.. Hatcher was
quick to detect the emotions differing
from those merely of the devotee, which
agitated this lovely creature. What man
can blame him for feeling pleased with the
exhibition? I, fer one, cannot. Her
looks were occasionally returned with moro
of meaning, perhaps, than the minister IN
/ tended TO throw into them Miss Faye's
aunt soon neticed these tokens OF sympa-
thy between her niece and Mr.. Hatcher,
and she aided in the mischief ttet followed.
by inviting hum frequently to her house.
There, at many interviews Miss Faye de-
rived thu impression, from his kind and
/ sympathetic manner, and from his hastily
uttered words, too, l have no doubt, that
/ her artless love was returned.
Mr.. Hatcher soon found himself III an
awkward position. His courtesies to Miss
| Faye had been remarked by everybody,
and had caused evident jealousy in others
of his admirers. Some hints from discreet
matrons of the parish induced him sudden
ly to cease his visits to the young lady and
the manifestation of any special interest
to her. He did not reciprocate her at
tachment, and hoped, perhaps, it would
die out But she took the change in his
manner badly to heart. She sickcned
under it, and was soon confined to her
house. Then it fell to the minister to call
and see her in her capacity OF a sick mem
Der of the church, a duty he could not
well avoid These official calls only made
matters worse, adding TO the poor girls
passion, increasing the unpleasant gossip
Of the parish, and making Mr.. Hatcher
moIe a7erse to Miss Faye than ever. Al
last his position became very embarrass'
ing. All the facts were known and much
exaggerated, and parties formed pro and
con in the church. BY some Mr.. Hatcher
w. oreatly censured by others the whole
subject was missed with the declaration
that Miss Faye was fool. 10 es0or@ th'
dilemma in which he was placed, the min
lister suddenly left his parish for the ont
where first encountered him, and haC
never seen his old parishioners nor Emm;
Faye since.
Such were the facts gathered by m,
, friend. He did not see the unfortunat
! girl, but he learned that her health wa