South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-06-18

Sustained by this class, and spurred
on to renewed warfare by deceit, st. Clair
poured forth again and again the fiery
thunders of his eloquence and invective
upon the young sinners heads, until
half of the congregation filed other
churches, and youth and maidens open
ly whispered and smiled their comments
in his very face. Gone was the devo.
tional feeling Of the church The lead
er had turned it into theatre of sensa-
tional lectures or sermons. The sweet
voice of Bella Harrison alone sanctiied
the place, and gave the hearers glimpse
of the peace of angels and harmony Of
heaven. Even Dir. st. Clair took into
his troubled conscience and heart lit.
tie of the heaven of kindness and chari-
/ ty with her tones.
! During visit one day he met the fair
songstress at the door of u poor widow.
She was just leaving the humble and mis-.
cradle abode, and upon entering, St.
Clair found the penury-stricken woman
weeping tears OF gratitude over q bundle
of warm fiannels Bella had left And in
glowing terms did the poor old creature
describe the goodness and generosity of
the dear young lady.
ut is the salt ov the earth she is sirr
May the blessid saints an howiy angils
kape her from all trouble and hardm-
Shure the roomatix ill not be afther
racllin' and scourghin me ould bones wild
all this hannin any more. Look till it
now, will your reverence? There's q
pound ov the best tay yees could mate
wild in a dhay's travil. Why, she's jest
the most charitable angil in the world.
And there is mittens tor me ould man.
And she knitted them wild her own pref
ty white fingers. Heaven bless her :"
After giving the old woman some con-
ISOLATION in her poverty and trouble. St.
Clair departed with n tender apprecia-
ton of Bella Harrison, and more than
ever determined to bring her to a reali-
zing sense of the enormity of dancing.
If she could be convinced (being the ac-
knowledged belle and leader. rs well as
the most intellectual and influential J
others would be certain to follow, and
the good work fairly commenced That
very night he would call upon her and
| earnestly endeavor to convince her of
the error OF her ways. Ifthe task should
prove difficGlt it would at least be a
sweet one, and he would have done his
duty,
| A few hours later he was ushered into
the cheerfully.lightcd parlor of Judge
Harrison, where he found waiting one of
the village beauX, in very elaborate at
tire, even to light kids. Presently n
rustling upon the stairs proclaimed the
coming of Bella, and st. Clair almost
drew his breath with gasp rs she stood
bowling and smiling upon them, radiant
IN bali dress of turquoise silk, with an
overskirt of soft white fleecy muslin.
raflled and pulled, the snowy neck and
rounded arms half concealed and half
disclosed by its folds. Her white and
slender wrists were banded with rare
jewels and gold. La the meshes of her
hair, and upon her bosom, nestled rose
buds, and in the heart Of each sparlxled
tiny diamond, like drop OF dew.
She gave her reverend friend one
small white-gloved hand, and expressed
her regrets that an engagement deprived
her of the pleasure of his visit Would
he be kind enough TO excuse her. and
call at another time2 She went away
with the gentleman he had found wait
ing for her, leaving him 10 prosy visit
/ with her parents.
And this, he thought, in the seclusion
OF his own room, is the charitable Young
| creature old Mrs. Mcclure called the
blessing OF Heaven down upon with the
most genuine tears Of gratitude? Char
ity in ? ball dress The very fitness OF
things forbade it. Had she not always
walked in the garb OF nun, plain.rob-
] oA oil nj
wonder that his dreams that night were
filled with visions OF the peerless Bella,
! dispensing bounty to the Squashville
poor, and that he awoke Disguised with
himself for such vagaries of Morpheus?
At n concert few nights later, fate
or st. Clair's evil genius, seated him Just
| behind Miss Harrison and lady friend
1T is proper, you know, fer preachers to
! attend such gatherings, even if the most
/ silly OF songs or negro melodies are rem
dered, or Juggling straightforward, or any
/ other humbuo, or if indecent characters
strutted upon the boards, so long rs il
was not called theatre or dance. -
All that arose by any other name should
smell "a sweet!
II so CHANGED that every word Of an
. ftiiiiiht'e''A DiiNttobbiOllt NuilIE VIC Wdii-
/ ing for the commencement Of the music
was waited TO the somewhat willing ears
of the young minister.
81 dread next Sabbath's sermon, Bel
In. Won't we catch it again for dancing
at Mrs. Dayton's party? But we had
I splendid time"
Yes; dancing. even If it is such q
sin, does n mission work for me" laugh
ed Bella. 1T relieves such parties Of
the insuTerable stupidity. ] detest sit.
ting still and talking with people who
have not dozen ideas, 10 be picked TO
| pieces by cnyious possips, or stared ut
and followed about by languishing al.
mirers, Dining into ones ears their soft
I nothings.'
"AIr st. Clair and his church think
We ought TO enjoy playing authors ma.