Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-10-21
sUNBURY
Again the though, of being man, Of no,


psaching, came across me; but, child as !
f, was, / could understand the moral Of my
dream II even then thought must go who'll
ly to God, or that figure would have me. The
idea was too deadful for hesitation discard.
ell all thoughts but one my resolution was
made. From that moment believe may
date that decision of character which has so
materially conduced to my success in life.
My resolution, said, was made; eyes;
wholly, wholly, | am resolved" believe
few conversions from the ways Of iniquity,
acting upon a mind as yet not fully imbued
with the knowledge Of a Saviour, we're ever
SO speedy and so fixed as mine | waited
with impatience nm,il my friend the chaplain
came again, and then, asking him TO shut the
door, told him all, confessed my whole course
of life, and my determination to be hanged
at once and turning TO my dear l3oth Psalm
asked him if God would ever forgive me.
His explanation of the Scripture, of the mer.
cy to be found in Jesus, and the reasor why
he became man, entered my heart like
two-edged sword absolutely devoured his
words / craved more and more; so much so
that more than once the good man stopped
and stared at me as if he thought was act
ing part and deceiving him.
"And what use am to make Of your con.
fession! !' he said.
"Any use you please" said |; and he left
me.
In his next visit he repeated the same ques.
ton | at once returnad the same answer.
"Do you know your evidence will hang
your fatherp'
"Oh yes, and myself too"
s'No, no, my boy," he said, t'not you;"
and he explained TO me that the law would
deal very differently with me.
asked his advice; he said, that unless it
were necessary, he thought ought not to
saw any thing; but that the crime was so
dreadful, the offender must be punished,
aDia kaow any thing of how the cid man
was killed!'
assured him, no was in bed, and did
not hear Of it till morning. l did not even
see my father go to the house, only was
told to get in and leave the window nndone,
which did. "But If am asked again." !
S id ~ must tell the truth"
~ will endeavor," said he, 'to spare you
that" and he kept his word. My evidence
was not called for; the goods were found
upon an accomplice, who turned kings evil
dence lit was Roberts father.
pass over the horror of hearing my father
condemned, and the little joy felt at my
own release. Turned ont of the gaol, walk
ed straight home ~ hated the noise of the
streets; every one, thought, stared at and
hunted me- longed to return TO that quiet
cell where had learned and felt so much
it appeared blessed place. | hated liberty,
feared the faces of my acquaintances; but
| longed TO see my mother and sister:-l
opened the door and walked in. Alas! what
| a scene awaited me | shut the door hastily
as one afraid; as if the very stones OF the
street would rise up against me. lwent up
at once to my mothers bedroom, for could
see nobody below. The sound of my foot
steps brought my sister TO the landing she
held up her finger as sign of silence, and
beckoned me towards her. When l came
up. we fell into each others arms, and be-
lieve that silent embrace did more to endear
MS 10 each other than all the years oil our
childhood Alas! we were alone in the
world! Poor Clara had no thought of reli.
aion my impressions were young, and al
though fixed, yet not strong. She took my
hand and led my into me mothers room
never shall forget The feeling. had been
prepared to find her unhappy, i'll, in tears
butt had expected to kiss her, to comfort her,
to tell her my feelings, and to hear her ap-
plaud my new resolutions My hopes of fu-
,ure happiness all rested upon her. l had
formed a thousand plans Of working for her,
and teaching her all that felt. She was SO
mild and placid, was sure she would listen
10 me, and we should do so many things TO-
gether. And then loved her SO intensely
il was her kind voice which stood between
me and my fathers anger; had seen her
take even blows for me. When, therefore,
entered her room, it was in the hope and
with the purpose of laying the whole burden
of my soul before her.
/ Concluded nert toeek