Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-05-12

heaven, he who had broken the commandment OF
God. The blood rashed to his temples and cover
ing his face with his hands, he burst into tears.
Deep sobs We're only heard and bitterly did they
reproach themselves for having given way to one
word OF complaint, and thus causing their father
such agony of soul His feelings becoming more
composed, he strove to speak some comfort TO his
children, and with falterng voice desired them to
eat. The children looked at each other In silence,
then at the food and their souls recoiled from the
idea OF touching had it been the deadlest poison
they could not have loathed it more. Poor and
humble as they were, they had been nourished on
the bread honesty and they dared not violate their
sacred principles
Father. said the eldest boy, eve cannot touch
that, we would sooner die: we do not blame you,
father, a,auourneeR; it was not done for your own
sake, though the hunger was sore on you, but for
the sake OF your starving children"
Now can thank God with an unblushng face,
said Brian Il can thank him for his mercy in
keeping you untouched by guilt among SO many
trials and temptations, and may he pardon me for
my many sins"
The latch OF the door was raised. 1T is the soy
garth exclaimed Brian Fastening to meet his be-
loved pastor Joy illumed the counterances OF all,
on behodlng their only friend, into whose faithful
bosom poured their sorrows, and although
poor himself he lost no time in supplying their
human aid could make it throb again. Not in the
secrecy of the confessional did Brian OSullivan re-
late the fearful adventure of the preceding night but
IN his oWly cabin by the bed wherein his dead child
slept he, his knees confessed TO the minister OF
God that crime, which to him appeared OF awful
magnitude The good priest was deeply moved,
for never before had the lips of that humble penitent
breathed forth such declaration; never before had
the soul of the PROSTATE sinner been stained with
guilt; and as he, in agony of spirit, smote upon
his breast, and prayed aloud for mercy, the glance
of displeasure faded from the priests face, and as
the tears rolled down his aged cheeks he whispered
in the poor penitents ear the welcome tidings, that
the broken and contrite heart is not despised in hea
ven. By the voice of the world Brian OSulliyan
would be branded as a thief midnight robber. o,
if those who would thus coldy and hcedIessly con-
denim him could have but entered his poor home,
how would their hearts have melted into sorrow
Could they have but gazed on the liteless remains
OF the child whose spirit was with God as she lay
on her ragged bed holding in her grasp bunch of
wild roses-afections offering to the dead-and
listened to the voices that arose to heaven, seeking
the forgiveness the cold world would deny surely,
in such scene, they would have real their own
condemnation.
The charitable and anxious priest FASTENED to re-
store the stolen food to its owner, and to obtain from
him forgiveness of the crime, without exposing the
criminal and thus OSullivan was saved from the
consequences of that guilt into which want and
starvation had plunged him.
This is no exaggerated picture of the suierings
the virtues ofthe Irish peasantry. Surely, brave
moral, and religious people will no longer be per-
mitted, in the midst of plenty, to endure such suf-
fcrings. We might have turned still darker page
and yet not have dealt in exaggeration; we might
have consigned the victim TO a loathesome prison
and left him to rot there without shadow of hope
Ne might have followed his wrctched family through
as~y sirvIrl sT,uanec' nom tiic
door Of plenty by pampered menials Surely, such
state of things cannot last forever! Surely the
peace and comfort nay, the very lives of communi
tv are not TO be sacrificed for tie sake of the chill
dren of prosperity 1t is time the great ones of our
land would consider the cause of the people. Fear
full is the calamity impending over them; and I'M
less active steps taken TO avert the threatened
ruin we fear much that the virtue of our poor coun
trymen will fall sacrfcethe virtue that no trials
could hitherto overcome. You, who shuddcr at the
recital Of the crimes committed by the Irish peasant
bcstir yourselves to endeavor to remove the cause
of those crimes Not from the love of guilt do GU
poor countrymen resort to the wild justice of re-
Ienge;n and you, who thoughtlessly condemn them
know but little Of the struggles endured before
they stumble in the path OF virtue.