The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-06-07
Number 7o1

"oulu employ you, u were cOnVln
cod of your reformation
Are you in earnest, sirI
Most sssuredly.'
THANK you with all my heart, and a
beam of hope Ii, up the coun,snance Of the
man,as il he hand novet before had The words
Of kindness. This seems like a dream.
Degraded. ragged, friendess as be. you
have promised me employment, should
live to enjoy my liberty again.
Upon this condition, you know. that
you will be stsady,and do your best TO re-
,pect YOURSELF
Il would with all my soul, and | feel
more than can express, the kindness you
have shown me-
Have you any acquain,ances in the ci,yi
inquired Mr.. Nelson.
Not any now. used 10 be acquant~
ed with great many, bu, what
has become Of then 90 rot know. II is
moro than fifteen yesrs since was in the
|city before. There Is one mani always
though. should like 10 know wba, be.
come Of him.
And who was hel'
His name was William Nelson, and he
used TO saw wood some twenty years ago
why do you feel more particular in
,eres. in him!'
Fll tell you why. although I feel as-
hamed Of myself,ant have repened of what
| did, times without number. He was
dne young man: of an excellen, disposition
bu. poor; and was obliged 10 saw wood
ridiculed him in company and before others
he bore i, all without harsh word or q
single re,or,. Would to heaven had pcs.
ira give worlds to see him. and Iees iI: HE.
forgiveness on my knees. Had | treated
him well, should no, have suffered half
what l have gone through. 1t has always
troubled me.
Il know III at man.
You do! Pray tell me something a.
bout him. Has he prospered!'
oh yes. He gave up saving wood
some years ago, and is now engaged in
merchan,ile business
If thought he would speak 10 me, end
think it no disgrace TO him. would send
him word to cone and see me. Nothing
would give me SIS much pleasure as to ask
his forgiveness
He would grant i, know.
DO you think so, sir'
Il know so. And if he knew you had
reformed. you would nowhere find so true
"a friend
4 am more and moro anxious 10 see him.
Shall trouble you to ask him TO call and
see degraded being!
'Mr. Elkins. you shall see your old
friend, Mr.. Nelson-he is here Gow-.it is
he who has been conversing with you'll
am the woodsawer.'
GOOD heavens' and the degraded being
fell upon his knees, and wept aloud.
In afew momsnts ho recovered himself
and in broken words and with streaming
IearS asked forgiveness Of Nelson, which
was as readily granted.
Afler remaining with Elkins two or three
hours, Mr.. Nelson lel, the cell, rejoicing
hat his friend had come 10 his senses at
asst, and devising plan for his releases and
'u,uro welfare.
The crime that Elkins had committed
was sraing theft, while under the inAa,
'nce ol ardent spirits. On the day of his
rial no one appeared agains, him, and he
vas discharged. Nelson Immediately took
'im to his house-gave him a new suit of
lo,hes, and employed him in his store .---.
Poor Elkin's heart was filled with grali-
ude to his benelaclor, and he exer,ed him
s'f TO the utmost 10 please him.
Elkins had been in the store OF Mr., Nell
on some l2 or Ia months and conducted
himself with the utmost propriely, when by
he arrangement of his friend his wife was
econc(ed TO him, and came to the city TO
eside with her husband.
Now ,hey are happy. This past is for
yoiten or remembered only TO bless Heav-
N for the great change that has been
Few shat see EIkins day by day