Yes ; it is evening with us now , and we have realized none of our morning dreams of happiness . But let us join our hands before the altar as lovers whom adverse circumstances have separated through life , yet who meet again as they are leaving it and find their earthly affection changed into something holy as religion . And what is time to the married of eternity ? '' Amid the tears of many and a swell of exalted sentiment in those who felt aright was solemnized the union of two immortal souls . The train of withered mourners , the hoary bridegroom in his shroud , the pale features of the aged bride and the death-bell tolling through the whole till its deep voice overpowered the marriage-words , -- all marked the funeral of earthly hopes . But as the ceremony proceeded , the organ , as if stirred by the sympathies of this impressive scene , poured forth an anthem , first mingling with the dismal knell , then rising to a loftier strain , till the soul looked down upon its woe . And when the awful rite was finished and with cold hand in cold hand the married of eternity withdrew , the organ 's peal of solemn triumph drowned the wedding-knell . THE MINISTER 'S BLACK VEIL . A PARABLE . -LSB- 1 -RSB- The sexton stood in the porch of Milford meeting-house pulling lustily at the bell-rope . The old people of the village came stooping along the street . Children with bright faces tripped merrily beside their parents or mimicked a graver gait in the conscious dignity of their Sunday clothes . Spruce bachelors looked sidelong at the pretty maidens , and fancied that the Sabbath sunshine made them prettier than on week-days . When the throng had mostly streamed into the porch , the sexton began to toll the bell , keeping his eye on the Reverend Mr. Hooper 's door . The first glimpse of the clergyman 's figure was the signal for the bell to cease its summons . -LSB- Footnote 1 : Another clergyman in New England , Mr. Joseph Moody , of York , Maine , who died about eighty years since , made himself remarkable by the same eccentricity that is here related of the Reverend Mr. Hooper . In his case , however , the symbol had a different import . In early life he had accidentally killed a beloved friend , and from that day till the hour of his own death he hid his face from men . -RSB- `` But what has good Parson Hooper got upon his face ? '' cried the sexton , in astonishment .
All within hearing immediately turned about and beheld the semblance XXXXX Mr. Hooper pacing slowly his meditative way toward the meeting-house .
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