The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-02-20

He never was so happy in his life be
fore! Well, well, he must wait fol
time to tell the trouble, and appear MOI
to notice it, he thought.
Many secret meetings were held
prayers at various sisters houses, which
he was not invited to attend.
"My time has come at last! [ might
have known that it would come some
time. l could not expect so much bet.
ter luck than all my predecessors. But
what on earth have | done to occasion
all this change"
At last the deacons of the church call.
ed public meeting, and requested the
presence of the minister. The usual
preliminaries gone through with, one Of
the deacons arose and stated that:
with the deepest regret they had
felt it their duty to request their broth
er's presence on that occasion to answer
charge made against him of the gravest
character. He trusted that this charge
could be met and dealt with in such a
manner by their hitherto much respected
and beloved brother, that it would not
only satisfy the brethren and prove his
innocence, but restore their brother to
his former high position in their es-
TEEN. 1t had been charged that brother
Allworth was in Baltimore during the
meeting of conference, in the company
of and occupying the same apartments
in Barnum's Hotel with" and here the
worthy deacon stopped, drew out his
handkerchief, wiped his brow and drew
long breath, and gasped forth-"A
married woman p
The deacon dropped in his seat.
The minister started to his feet. His
face flushed with anger-and in a voice
quivering with excitement, he demanded
the name of the person, who dared to
utter such a charge sgainst him One
so entirely false.
Brother Jones arose and said it was
he, and asked:
IF brother AIlworth could persist in
denying the charger
The minister stopped suddenly then :
his hand in his pocket, drew forth has
handkerchief, covered his face and sank
into his chair.
"Convicted guilty! His manner
proves it too truly p we've the whispered
comments.
A profound silence ensued for few
moments, during which was heard a
groan or so, and then audible sob from
the bosom of some soft-hearted sister,
probably Sally Jones or Mrs. Haw ke.
The minister arose, removed his hand
kerchief, and displayed face on which
were unmistakable signs-not of guilty
emotion, but suppressed mlrth.
The heardened sinner! !" whispered
Sister Smith.
Il cannot deny TIE charge, brother
Jones-it is true,' and here the minis
ter's face broke forth into becoming
smile. Il shall take the pleasure of in
PRODUCING that lady to you as soon as
possible"
A distinct groan now issued from some
one, and was Immediately followed by
many more.
"As my wife! Mrs. Allworth !" ad-
ded the minister.
After the surprise had subsided a
slight degree, and the whisperings in a
measure ceased, the minister proceeded
to state:
s'That he had, as they well knew,
gone to his home few days previous
to the meeting of conference, and then
and there comsummated an engagement
of two years. standing. That wife g
companied him to Baltimore, and ten
returned to her home, until the deacons
could repair the parsonage, Or he could
make some arrangements for her recep'
tion in the home of one of the kind sis
ters Of the church. That his first an
swer that the charge was false they
must excuse-for it was occasioned by
his great surprise; and, in truth, he had
hardly gotten accustomed to regard him
self in the position of a married man, OIL
to remember he had been in company
with a married woman
Not word more was spoken by the
deacons. What could they say? But
one after another came forward, grasped
his hand and pressed it warmly. HI
felt his old position was regained, anc
they were all glad to have it SO. The
sisters endeavored to show their regret
for their hasty judgment, by every one
offering her home for the reception O.
Mrs. Allworth. Mrs. Hawke was so de
lighted at his innocence (for "she hae
nothing to regret, as she never judg
ed him wrongly she said) that she &C
tually hugged her favorite, and didn'
care if she did-as she was old enough
for his mother.
There was tear in the eye of merry
Sally Jones, and a sigh in the heart o
Patience Smith, but they both came for
ward to clasp their minister's s hand.
The people of Eastville had that day
received a salu,ary lesson. And it wa
impressed forcibly on their minds ant
! 1oopJ1, IN tho;r harris hv the next Sab