The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-10-21
THE MINISTER'S DAUGHTER.

THE MINISTER'S DAUGHTER.
1t was in the year 1892, memorable
one, and as sad as memorable in the
history Of the British colonies in North
America. Agnes DanvcrS sat alone in
the dwelling of her onlyparent with her
head bowed upon her hand in the Bit
terness of early sorrow. She had wept
beside the grave of her mother, and
seen three brave and lind-hearted broth
ers laid 10 rest in the dawn of manhood,
but they all had died Smitten by the
hand Of their Creator and passed from
earth i'm peace and hope. She had watch
ed beside their beds, and gathered les
sons of faith aud virtue from their part
inc hour for her future life. Time had
healed the wounds their death had Civ
en-, and though she had cherished their
memories still in undiminiShed bright
ness. the smile had returned TO her lip,
the sunshine to her pathway. tier Ia
thcr vet survived. and him she loved and
reverenced only less than God. But on
the evening on which we would intro
duce her to the reader, that father had
Ditll blla~iAAl bAl ~ AAA'Ai = VI 'bA w t''N'
committed to 4 gloomy prison, there to
await 4 trial whose issue was scarcely
doubtful, for many quite as lnnocent as
he had been condemned and executed.
The unfortunate situation of Mr.. Dan
yers resulted principally from his eN-
emptiOn from the error often found al
that infatuated period, and he had rs
christian minister SedulOuSly endeayOr-
ed to reud this veil from the understand
inc of his parishioHcrS, and expose the
absurditv of the popular opinions. His
efforts, alasi had proved fatal even
while while they succeeded. Many OF
his hearers were convinced, but their
conviction and its consequent effects at
tractcd suspicion toward themselves,
and numbers were imprisoned and not
few put 10 death. The sympathy of
Mr.. Danvers was not Withdrawn in their
hour of need, and fearless of the conse-
ouenceS to himself, he discharged lhe
duties of his Office faithfully, until pub
lie excitement reached such a height
that he became its most prosecuted VIC
tim.
After his arrest many could recollect
hours passed in converse on the strange
effects Of witchcraft, in which Agnes
DanverS, though present, took no part.
One could remember that she looked
sorrowful, another that she was indig-
nant. some that the color on her cheek
frequently varied, and that she would
begin to speak and check herself ere
she uttered n sentence. JOS
"Every thing proves, thought they,
"that the poor girl knew her father
practiccd these black arts, and, loving
him rs she did, twas natural she should
desire TO conceal the truth"
q You seem much interested-all talk
inc at once. Nav know the subject
of your diScourseFn asked Il young lnar
of handsome figure, and frank and no
bic countenance, stepping suddenly IN
to the midst of a group of those De
chalmers on the miSfortuneS of ATnes
. Danvers, composed of some of her mos
intimate female acquaintances. So oc
cupied had they been in the Interchange
of their several conjecturcs that he haC
entered the room unobServed.
oh, Mr.. Dudley, are you here? i
is so dark l heard YOU had gone on f;
visit 10 Your uncle" exclaimed Sar1i
Darrell. i'm whose fathers house th,
conclave had met.
$50 had, Miss Darrell, and l hav,
but lust returned. 4 rumOr Of yer.
extraordinary character has reached m
within the last half hour, and | cam
hithcr to learn its truth or falSehOod, a
l believed You to be more intimate wit
Miss Danvers than any other parsOn.
There was 4 slight degree sisniii
cance. it might be of sarcasm, in tli
tone of the speaker.
"It is true, have always hkedAgne
very much, Mr.. Dudley. -have-khoW'
her long time, and though | have a
ways thought her odd, still she ha
many good qualities, l have often sal
to myself Ii is not reasonable TO SUI
pose that | should suspect the iniquit
of her father, else of course I shout
have given her up long ago" ''''''''
You do not mean to give her N
now. Miss Darrell, in her hour Of &C
versitvgn be asked earnestly. H1IB q,
"Really. Mr.. Dudley, don't know
Itis a difficult task 10 renouncs an ear
friend, but the circumstanees--lndeed
am distressed what TO 10. VIII YOU q
wise me?n
81 advise youi Does not voariOw
woman's heart prompt you TO the cour'
You should pursue? Go to her imm
diately, weep with her if you eanni
comfort; let her see she las one frien
left, for doubtless she thinks herself Z
tally deserted. And If YOU can, preYa
with her TO return home with You, m
remain until after her fathers trial -
4" Sarah's parents VIII not consent
such 4 thing, " exclaimed Hannah Goo,
win. "and | wonder any body that h;
regard for her could propose it. ''---
"ParentS not consent TO cOuntenanC
and protect a helpless and innocent giI
whose mother is dead, whose father
nniustlv charged with a prepostero
crime, Let them take care then, el
their dav of woe VIII come" cried t
indicnant Young man. Are you
inc. Miss Darrell?'' he asked a lrat
fiercely.
..Really, Mr.. Dadley, your manner
nough to frighten one. l cannot
one.n