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

ced of your reformation.
Are you in earnest, sit'
Most assuredly.'
Il thank you with all my heart and a
beam OF hope lit 10 the coun'euance OF the.
man,m if he hand never before had the words
Of kindness. This seems like 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 sseady,and do your best 10 re-
specl yourself.
i would with all my soul, and | feel
more than can express, The kindness you
have shown me-
Have you any acqusn'ances in the cl'yE
inquired Mr., Nelson.
mo, any now. | used to be acquaint"
ed with great many, but what
has become OF them | DO cot know, 1t is
more than fifteen years since was in the
city before. There IS one mani always
though, should like TO know what be-
come of him.
'And who was he''
Hi name was William Nelson, and he
used 10 saw wood some twenty years ago.
why do you feel more particular in
teresl in hmF
IN tell you why, although feel as
hamed Of mysel(anc have rePenled of what
| did, times wlhou, number lie was a
fine young man: of an excellent disposition
but poor; and was obliged to saw wood.
ridicued him in company and before others
he bore il all without harsh word or a
single rc,or,. Would TO heaven had pcs.
sessed spark of his excellent disposition.
I'd give worlds 10 see him, and ask his
forgiveness on my knees. Had | treated
him we'll, should not have suffered h0f
what have gone through. 1t has always
troubled me-
Il know that man.
You do! Pray tell me something a.
bou, him. Has he prospered!'
oh, yes. lie gave up saving wood
some years ago. and is now engaged i'll
merchanlile business
If | thought he would speak TO me- aud
think i, no disgrace to him, would send
him word to cone and see me. Nothing
would give me SIS much pleasure as 10 ask
his forgiveness
He would grant it know.
DO you think so. sir!'
i know SO And if he knew you had
reformed. you would nowhere find SO true
a friend
4 am more and more anxious 10 see him.
Shall trouble you to ask him to call and
see degraded being
Mr.. EIkius, you shall see your old
friend, Mr.. Noson-he is here Eow-,it is
he who has been conversing with you-I
ain The woodsawer.'
Good hesvensl' and tho degraded being
fell upon his knees, and wept aloud.
In few moments he recovered himself
and in broken words and with streaming
cara asked forgiveness Of Nelson, which
was as readily granted.
After remaining whh EIKins two or three
hours, Mr. Nelson left shs cell, rejoicing
hat his friend had come 10 his senses at
sst, and deviSing plan for his releases and
.uture welfare.
The crime that Ekins had committed
was rnlng theft, while under the inhas
auce Of ardent spirits. On the day of his
rial no one appeared against him, aud he
vas discharged. Nelson Immediately took
him to his house-gave him new sui! of
,Iothes, aud employed him in his store
Poor Elkin's heart was filled with gral-
ude TO bis benefaclor and he exerted him
'sf to the utmost to please blm.
Ekins had been in the store of Mr.. Mel
ION some 70 or Ia months and conducted
himself with The utmost proptiety, when by
he arrangement of his friend his wife was
econcled TO him, and came 10 The CITY TO
esde with her husband.
Now they sre happy. The past is fof-
,ouen or remembered only TO bless Heav-
IN for the great chcnge that has been
wrought. Few that see EIkins day by day
know The sorrow he has endured or feel
.he joy that continually thrills his happy