The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-03-21
THE MINISTER'S COURTSHIP.

NNHE following story was told me by an
4 acquaintance who, as he began it,
said, can vouch for the truth of this
narrative, as l know the young man who
is the hero of the story, well:"
A long time ago, when l was boy,
the son of poor widow, the lot on which
he lived joined at the back the lot on
which lived a Mr.. Morton, at that time a
thriving merchant, now the principal
capitalist in that part of the country
As there was back gate between the
lots, my friend was the constant play
mate from earliest childhood of Jennie
Morton. He built her play houses out
of old boards he moulded clay bricks for
her use, and carved tiny toys out Of pine
blocks for her amusement. As he grew
larger, and as Jennies father grew rich
err and came to live in greater style,
Henry grew more shy. But by all the
unspoken language of the eyes the two
never failed to make their unchanging
regard known to each other
Henry went to college early At va
cation time the two met. But the grow
ing difference in their social position
could not but be felt. Jennie's friends
were different race from his own. Her
parents never thought of inviting him to
their entertainments. And if they had
rusty coat and a lack of money to
spend on kid gloves would have effectual-
ly kept him away. He was proud. This
apparent neglect stung him. 1t is true
that Jennie Morton was all the more kind.
But his quick and foolish pride made him
fancy that he detected pity in her kind
ness And yet all this only made him
determined to place himself in position
in which he could ask her hand as her
equal. But you do not understand, as l
do, how irresistible is this conviction Of
duty in regard to the ministry. Under
that pressure my friend settled it that he
must preach. And now there was before
him good ten years Of poverty at least.
What should he do about it
In this extremity he took advice of a
favorite theological professor. The pro-
fessor advised him not to seek the hand
of rich girl. She would not be suited
to the trials of minister's life. But
finding that Henry was firm in his opin-
ion that this sound general principle did
not in the least apply to this particular
case the professor proceeded to touch the
tenderest chord in the young mans heart.
He said that it would be ungenerous, and
in some sense dishonorable, fer him to
take woman delicately brought up, into
poverty and trial incident to minister's S
life. TO give up the ministry, was in his
mind, to be traitor to duty and to God.
To win her, if he could, was to treat un-
generously her whose happiness was dear
er to him thousand times than his own.
For three years he did not trust him
self to return to his home. But having
graduated and settled himself for nine
months over a church, there was no rea-
son why he shouldn't 90 to see his moth
er again. And once in the village, the
sight of the old school-house and the old
church revived thousand memories that
he had been endeavoring to Danish. The
garden walks, and especially the apple
trees, that are the most Interchangeable OF
landmarks, revived the old passion with
undiminished power. He paced his room
at night. He looked out at the new
house OF his rich neighbor. He chafed
under the restraint of his rich neighbor
to think again of Jennie Morton. II
was the old story of the monk who thinks
the world subdued, but who finds it all al
once about to assume the mastery of him
| do not know how the struggle might
have ended, but it was all at once stopped
from without.
There reached him rumor that Jen
ME was already the betrothed wife of {
Colonel Pearson, who was her fathers
partner in business. And indeed Colo
mel Pearson went in and out at Mr.. Nor
tons gate every evening, and the father
was known to favor his suit.
Jennie was not engaged to him, how
ever Three times she had refused him
The fourth time, in Difference to her faith
er's wishes, she had consented to thinl
about it for week. In truth, Henry
had been home ten days aud had not call
ed upon her, and all the hope she haC
cherished in that direction, and all thu
weary waiting, seemed in vain. Whel
the Colonel's week was nearly out sh
heard that Henry was TO leave in two
days. In a sort Of desperation she dc
termined to accept Colonel Pearson with
-. q Al. A. 40. = r. l..