The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-07-04

with its frinees and folds Of spotlcss
white, striking a chill to the heart with /
the idea of its GOODNESS; although the
thick coat of brown ''home made"
that was concealed beneath, preserved |
to the wearer degree of warmth.
There was marked uniformity of
expression in countenance, especially /
in that half of the congregation, who |
did not enjoy the advantages Of the
polish of the village. a sallow skin,
that indicated nothing hut exposure,
was common to all, as was an air of
great decency and attention, mingled,
generally, with an expression of
shrewdness, and, in the present in
stance. of active curiosity.
Elizabeth soon discovered that she
divided the attention of the congrega-
ton, equally with Mr.. Grant. Timid-
itv, therefore, confined her observa-
ton of the appearances which we have
described, TO stolen glances.
Gradually all noises diminished,
until the suppressed cough denoted that
it was necessary to avoid singulanty,
and the most profound stiffness pre-
vaded the apartment. The swapping
of the fires, as they threw a powerful
heat into the room, was alone heard,
and each face, and every eye, were
turned in expectation on the divine.
AT this moment, heavy stamping
of feet was heard in the passage below,
as if new conner was releasing his
limbs from the snow, that was neces-
sarily clinging to the legs of a pedes-
train. 1t was succeeded by no audi
BILE tread; but directly Mohegan, fol-
lowed by the Misunderstanding and
the young hunter, madehis appearance.
Their footsteps would not have been
heard, as they trod the apartment in
their moccasing, but for the silence
which prevailed.
The Indian moved with great gravi-
ty across the floor, and, observing
vacant seat next to the Judge, he took
it, in a manner that manifested his
sense of his own dignity. Here, draw
ing his blanket closely around him, so
as partly to conceal his countenance,
he remained during the service, inn
movable, but deeply attentive. Nat
ty passed the place, that was so free
ly taken by his red companion, and
seated himself on one end Of a log that
was lying near the fire, where he con-
tinued, with his rifle standing between
his legs, absorbed in reflections, SEEM
ingly, Of no very pleasing nature. The
youth found seat among the cOngre-
gattion, and another dead silence pre-
vailed.
Mr.. Grant now arose, and common
ced his service, with the sublime de-
claration of the Hebrew prophet
"The Lord is in his holy temple; let
all the earth keep silenne before him"
The example of Mr.. Jones was umec-
essary, to teach the congregation to
rise: the solemnity of the manner OF
the divine effected this as by magic.
, After a short pause, Mr.. Grant proceed
ed with the solemn and winning eXhor-
tation of his service. Nothing was
= heard but the deep; though affection
| ate, tones Of the reader, as he slowly
, went through this eXordium.
When the clergyman bent his knees
in prayer and confession, the congre-
cation so far initiated his example, as
to resume their seats; whence no sue.
ceeding effort Of he divine, during
the evening, was able to remove then
in body. Mr.. Grant continued tC
read; but no response was audible
The short and solemn pause, that sue
: ceeded each petition, was made; still
no voice repeated the eloquentlanguagC
} Of the prayer.
3, The lips of Elizabeth moved, bu
they moved in vain and, accustomed
as she was, to the service in the church
es Of the metropolis, she was beginning
to feel the awkwardness of the circum
stance most painfully, when soft
low, female voice repeated after tn
i priest, "We have left undone thos
things which we ought to have done.
Startled, at finding one Of her own Sc,
;, in that place, who could rise superio
to their natural timidty, Miss Tempt
; turned her eyes in the direction of th
Il humble penitent. She observed
: young female, on her knees, but
% short distance from her, with her meel
face humbly bent over her book. TIL
!; appearance of this stranger, for sue
IS was she, entirely, to Elizabeth, wa
l. light and fragile. Her dress, withou
y being either rich or fashionable, wa
n neat and becoming; and her countt
II nance, though pale, and slightly agits
10 ted, excited deep interest, by it's sweet
g and perhaps melancholy expression
A second and third response wei
a made by this Juvenile assistant, whe
g the rich, manly sounds of a youthful
', male voice, proceeded from the oppC
s. site part Of the room. Miss Temp
D knew the tones of the young huntt
lie instantly, and, struggling to overcom
4 her own diffidence, she added her 10
G. voice to the number.
The long experience Of Mr.. Graz
III had admirably qualified him to pc
lie form with success his present dut,
re He well understood the character
S. his listeners, who were mostly prin
al tive people in their habits and VIII,
er being a good deal addicted to subtl
of ties and nice distinctions in their r
ne ligious opinions, viewed the introdu
s, ton into their spiritual worship of al
D. such temporal assistance as form, II,