South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-06-18
Charity in a Ball Dress.
BY HELEN LUoUEER.

aAss"oSOuiCs auus NibHti,
There was not an minated heart in
the village that did not increase it's pal.
pitations even to fiutter. Every pref.
ty head was completely turned by the
possibility OF the owner thereof becom.
ing some day the Rev. Mrs. st. Clair
Even the old maids and widows of the
congregation put on youthful manners
and fresh ribbons, and the entire femi.
nine portion of the congregation sudden.
ly became pious. The prayer meetings
were crowded by saictimonious faces,
and heads were bowed in devotion, while
the rich tones of the new minister bore
his charge up, on the wings Of eloquence
almost divine, to the throne of grace.
The first Sabbath of his ministerial
duties the choir had arranged to sing an
anthem at the opening of the service. OF
course there had been the usual quantity
of growing over it, but finally it was
practised to perfection. And rs the tall
and commanding figure of the minister
passed up the church aisle, there broke
upon his ears voice rs clear and pure
as the mirrruring waters of woodland
brook. 1t was soprano whose LIQUID
notes thrilled him exquisitely. And
when the fest of the choir took up the
refrain. this voice scared like bird in
midalr above all others, distinct in it's
individuality and superb melody. Owe:
the bowed head and through the devout
heart of st. Clair floated and penetrated
the gush of heaven-born song. Involun.
tarily he raised his eyes up to the tri-
umphant choir for the owner of that
III
rest, with eyes blue as the heavens and
full of liquid light, hair like web of
sunlight sweeping back from n pure in.
tellectual face, marked by strength of
character, yet earnestly tender, riveted
his gaze. All this he saw in one swift
and comprehensive glance, and that the
beautiful woman was the head Of the vii
isge choir.
Every word uttered by the young min
lister was so many pearls to the gaping
half-fed people. GLOW logical and orr.
ginalr' said the old heads, with congra-
tulary voices; while the younger ones
exclaimed, GLOW splendid! What love-
ly cyes and hair, and such command
ing presence !"
The church awoke from its lethargy,
and life and action entered its portals.
Such tea-gatherings, socals and mite So
cieties had not made Squashviiie nota-
bic within the memory of its oldest in
habitants. Not cloud obscured the
brightness Of the sky of the young di-
vine. Everything within the church and
without went merry as marriage-belis
Green pastures and clear waters were
all about him, through which he conf
IDENTIFY thought to lead the entire popu-
lace Of the village 10 heaven.
He was possessed of talents, and elo-
quencc, and magnetic temperament.
which seemed to govern and carry all
with whom lie associated in the direction
lie chose. But as natural result his
egotism grew like a mushroom in so con-
genial soil.
Yet presently tiny cloud appeared
in the horizon OF Squashville, arousing
the antagonis1a of the new minister
lie would preach it down at once-crush
it in the bud-and hastened to do So
One prayer meeting night but few of
the younger people were present lie
missed the fairest face of the flock, and
the sweet voice Of the rare strongstfess
of the choir, Bella Harrison. Rumor
whispered that the young people had in
stituted series Of hops, and that she
was among the number who attended,
1t was absolute PROCLAMATION!
The next Sabbath Bella stood in her
place, looking so saintlike and calm,
that but for positive proof St Clair pos
sessed Of her actual presence where they
tripped the light fantastic toe" he
would not have believed the assertion.
How devotional she looked-how almost
sadly diyine-as she sang, 90 had / the
wings Of dove" lie fancied he detec-
ted look OF meek contrition in her face.
And now was the time to use caustic and
knife. Now the moment to apply the
bitter remedies OF the. stern physician
and create cure.
When lac arose fire was i'm his eyes,
burned upon his cheeks, and tipped his
tongue. Gracious how the opposers
OF dancing and other kindred amuse-
ments did gloat over and fatten upon
that sermon, As the new minister
warmed with his subject he forgot the
sanctity Of the house, and gave way to
temper athousand.fold more sinful than
dancing. When he spoke OF it as "the
hellish device Of Satan--a damnablc pas
time" little did he think how the pure
soul Of more than one woman shrank
from his profanity. IL was terrible to
Bella Harrison, disgusting, rude and
personal.
At single stroke he lost the conf
dence and esteem Of the great majority
Of the young people Of Squashville, A.
rcueoI gbnfr oufarroufzur and war woq
declared. Winter was before them, stu
pid and dreary enough under the best
circumstances, but now they would be
more than ever gay, and show Mr.. st.
Clair that dance they would, and how
lightly they regarded his opinion--how
much IL was behind the time, and I'M
worthy Of n liberal age.
All The stifjointed old maids whose
dancing days we're over held up their
hands in holy horror at fhn mere men.