The Van Buren press., 1872-01-23
MISCEL-LANY.
The Mortified Pastor,


In order 10 fully appreciate the horri-
Bile and utterly incomprehonsible suffer
ngs Of the case which ne are about to
describe, it is necessary to premise some
Of the circumstances of the victims life,
as related ia z recent eG German paper.
Ezekiel Feldman was young Saxon,
who had determined to apply himself to
the study of theology slmost as soon as
he began TO comprehend that every man
has some work to do in this world, 1t
was not without finding great obstacles
to overcome, nor wiihoHSnany trials and
hardships, that he succeeded in crafty
ing his worthy ambition. OF poor par
ehtage, aud of impracticable habits him
self, as is frequent awoug thoee given mp
to distractions an3 ,ioUs. thoughts froai
early boyhood, il Was With great diiIlcil
ty that be succeeded IN taking the regu-
lar course a. the university, through
which alone ha could attain the ministry
in his country, He was not what you
might call brilliant young man, but he
anJeavored to make up in application
and industry what he lacked in talent.
So he piodded along until he had receiY
ed his degrees b,r U
rs vet bat half the work, and perhaps
the least d-hlcult part Of il had been dous.
By means OF the strictest economy, by
avoiding all the associations OF the stu.
dents corps which would lead him to
the knipes, and ny developing comHen-
daEIe ingenuity in the way Of providing
physical sustenance out OF moral plenti.
tude. lie passed his course. But now
came the long and tedious search for q
position that would yield him 4 living.
This was rendered more l,arrassiug as hs
found himself sufficiently mortal 30 foil
in love with girl of his snative towu, and
he could only lookforward to eonsnm
melton of the marriage and his earthly
happiness when lie should be provided
with q pastorate ta
AT last bis patience and industry were
rewarded with prospective success. He
wrote an enthusiastic letter to his be-
trothed--quite as enthusiastic as old DIR
Brown, when he said lervently, Il" Let MS
prav," after his first ikiss--in which he
pictured the natural beauties of the little
pastorate which had been promised him
"Let us thank God. dear Marie, I" he
wrote to heg," that Hs has given us so
much grace; and hope, beforethe quar-
ter ofa0 other year shall have passed, to
lead you into the, pastors house at Hot
leben SIS the pastors wife, there to enjoy,
God willing, n long, happy and easy life. "
For once in his life, Feldman Was not
destined to be disaps ainted lie recoiv
ed the position whsen no hoped fora
pastorate under the patronage OF coun-
try noblenau--and, within eight days af-
ter his appointment, he led his now wife
into the new home Both found The sim
pie country life well suited to their tastes.
Their circle Of society was small, but very
selact--consisting of the old baron, q re-
tired colonel; the young baron and his
wife, ana tae scAo oolmaster. This com
pany used to come together very fre-
queutly, amusing themselves with game
OF whist or ,"skst. sometimes deyoting
themselves to musical entertainment. aud
at others. discussing the latest svents in
the literary world. Pastor Feldman was
also an enthusiastic naturalist, in which
he was the more encouraged as the Dung
baron was likewise devoted to science,
and both spent many pleasant hours
ameng the plants and animal life of9the
charming grounds and woods These
things are mentioued to make 1t duly APP
pear how terrible was tho trial which still
awaited this good mat, and jnst after Il
seemed as though he had been comforta.
bly, settled in life. 'H
1t was one summer evening, after the
intense heat Of the sun had been some
what modified. thae Pastor Feldman
made bis way to the baron,s house But
the holy mans eye was not quiet and
friendly as usual, auda singular anxiety
spread over his face. He met the old
colonel on The stepsgnnd his anxiety on
ly increased ~ he noticed the latter turn.
ing away from him, qpicIly drawing his
snuff. box from his pocket, and taking an
enormous pinch into blsuose. Thepas-
ter sighed and mad. bis way into the
drawing room, wherehe found the baron
and his wife He hal scarcely spoken
Al 4 Il.