Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-07-31
NO. 23-VOL. XXXIf.

sented 20 help him in hi, iynoble func-
Ton. ihis man, is myself The re-
ward OF so many crimes, was sum Of
three thousand francs in gold; and ,be.
precious articles, still deposited here a.
round me.are the witnesses Of nv guilt.
After had committed this crime. 4
tired TO bury the recollection Of ~ i'm
debauehery; the gold obtained by my
Infamous conduct was hardly speui.
when remorse took possession Of NV
soul. No project, no enterprise, no la
oour OF mine, was crowned with sue
cess. 4 became poor and in6tm.-
Charity allowed me . privileged place
al the church, where l have passed so
many years The remembrance of nv
CRIME was overwhelming; so poignaDf,
thar, despairing Of divine goodness. 1
never dared implore the consolation of
religion. nor enter the church. Tho
aims l received, yours especially, NJ
Able. aided NE 10 hoard q sum equal
to that | stole from my former masters:
here 1t is. The objects Of luxury
which you remark in my rom, this
watch, this cruoifix, this book, these
'e'Ied portraits, were taken from NV
victims. Oh! how long and profound
has my repentance been, but how
powcrless. NJ. Able, do YOU believe I
can hope pardon from God ?"
My son." replied the Able. "your
crime. no doubt is, frightfui the cir
cums'ances OF II are atrocious- Or
phan', who were deprived Of their pa
rents by the revolution, understand
better than any one else, all the bitter
ness OF the anguish suffered by your
victims! A whole life passed in tears,
IS not too much for the expiation Of
such n crime. Yet the treasures Of di-
VINE mercy are immense. Relying on
your repentance, and full OF conf
denee IN the inexhaustible goodness Of
Doh, l think l can assure you Of his
pardon"
The priest then rose up. The beg
gar as u animated by rev life, got
out OF bed and knelt down. The Al
De Pauiin de Saint c. was going to
pronounce the powerful words which
bind or loosen the sins Of man, when
the beggar cried out
" Father, wait before I receive Gods
pardon, let me get rid Of the fruit Of
my crimes. Take these objects, sell
them, distribute the price to the poor"
In his hssiy movements, the iegysr
snatehed away the Grape which COW
cred the two pictures. Behold :"
said he behold the august image of
my masters"
AZ the sight, the Able Pauiin de
SAINT {. let these words escspe:-
My father. nv mother"
Immediately, the remembrance Of
that horrible catastrophe, the presence
oil Tie assassin, The sight of those OBJ
lect>, seized upon the soul of the nriest.
ana yielding toan unexpected emotion,
he Tell upon chair. His head leaning
on his hands, he she'd abundant tears;
a deep wound had opeued afresh in his
heart.
The beggar, overpowered, not dar-
ing TO lift up his looks on the son of
hts masters, on the terrible and angry
Judge, who owed him vengeance ra-
ther than pardon, rolled himself at his
teet, bcdewed them with tears. and re-
peated IN tone Of despair-~AiY
master! my master ~
The priest endesVored,W ithout look
ing at him. TO check hIs grief. The
6eGgar cried out:
Yes, am an assassin, q monster.
an infamous wretch! NJ. Able di.-
pose Of my life! What must do 70
avenSe you -
g" Avenge me-" replied the priest.
recalled to himself by these words
" avsnss me- unhappy man
Was | not then right in saying
that my crime was beyond pardon -
Ane" It vel, that religion itself would
repnlse me. Repentance will avail
nothing to criminal of 20 deep a dive;
there - no forgiveness for ne--no
more pardon-no forgiveness :"
These last words, pronounced willis
a terrible accent, reached TO the sout
OF the priest, his mission and his du
ties. The struggle between tilial grief
and the exercise 81 his sacred functions
ceased Immediately. Human weak
?css bad for = moment claimed tho
tears 81 the saCdened son. Religion
then stirred the soul Of the servant Of
God. The priest took hold Of the
rruciliS.thc paternsl iDheritsncs, which
had fallen Into the hands Of this On.
happy man. and presenting IL 20 tho
bsgsar. be said, IN the strong accents
n emotion:
" Christian, 's your rspsbianes sin
Yes"
Is your crime the object Of pro-
Iuund horror -
E" Yes"
" Our God. immolated on this cross
~ men, grants VOC pardon! Finish
your confession"
Then the priest, With one hand up
lited over The beggar, holding ~ the
rthsr The sisu Of our rsdsmpiisn, bsds
he divine mercy descend on the "a.
'assin Of his Whole fsmhyl
with be lace sgsiast the earth, the
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