The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-01-30


to fortify his fathers relenting feelings, by
placing in a strong light all TIE arguments in
favor Of the prisoners guilt: The iurymdn
was glad 10 be thus fortified. and replied IN a
firm treasured voice, "Af all events, did my
duty" Yet, for months alter. the pale young
face looked at him desparingy from the eve
Ming air, and came between him and the sun
shine. But time, which sofens all things,
dr:ited the dreary spectre into dim distance,
and Mr.. Bdrker's faculties were again
completed, absorbed in making money for his
son.
Joseph was called fine, promising Young
man, but his conduct was not altogether salts
factory to his parents. He was fond of dress
and company, and his impetuous temperament
not unfrequently involved him in quarrels.
On two or three of these occasions, they fear
ed he had been little excited by drink. But
he was, in reality, good-hearted fellow, and
like his rough father, had undeveloped germs
of deep tenderness within him. His fathers
life was bound up within his; his mother low
ed bin with all the energy of which her slug
gish nature was capable and Eotwthstand-
ing the inequalities of his violent and capri
cious temper, the neighboIs loved him also.
What then, was their CONSERVATION, when
it was rumored that on his twenty fourth birth
day he had been arrested for murder! And
alas it was too true that his passions has thus
far overmastered his reason. He wished to
please young girl in the vicinity, and she
treated him cody, because rival had inform
ed her that he was seen intoxicated, and in
that state spoke everybody of being sure Of
her love. He drank again, to drown his vex-
alton, and while the excitement of the draught
was on him, he met the man who informed IL
gainst him. Unfortunately, an Ak was at hand,
and, in the double fury of drink and rage, he
struck with it again and again. One hour af-
ter, he would have given all he ever hoped to
possess, nay. would gladly have died, could
he have restored the life he had so wantonly
destroyed.
Thus, Mr. Barker was again brought into 4
court of justice on an affair of life and death.
How differently all questions connected
with the subject presented themselves now
As he sat beside that darling son, the pride of
his life, his only hope on earth, oh, how he
longed for words of fire to plead that his young
existence might be spared for repentance and
amendment How well he remembered the
ljuryman's plea for youth and intoxication and
with what an agony of self reproach he recall
ed his own hard answer With intense anX-
iety he watched the countenances of the jury
for some CLEANS of compassion. But ever and
anon, pale young face doomed up between
him and them, and gazed at him with fixed
despair. The vision of other years returned
to haunt him; and Joseph, his best beloved,
his only one, stood beside it, pale and hand
cuffed, as he had been. The voice that pro-
nounced his son guilty sounded ike an awful
echo of his own; and lie seemed to hear Ma
ry Williams whisper, "And my son also was
very young"
That vigorous off-shoot from his own existence
so full of life and feeling, and, alas, of passion
which misguides us all-he must die No earth
ly power can save him. May the ALL MERcI
Full sustain that poor father. as he watches Tho
, heavy slumber of his only son in that dark pris
on, and while he clasps the cold hand, remem
) bcrs well the dimpled fingers he used to holt
in his, when little Joe sat upon his knee and pratt
tied childish love.
And the ALI MERcIFuL ras with him, anC
sent influence to sustain him through that terri
BILE agony. It did not break his heart; it meltet
and subdued him. The CONCEALED sympathics o.
his nature flowed under this ordca of fire and
for the first time, he had realizing sense that
every human being is, or has been, somebody's
little joe.
slow kind you are to me-" said the prisoner
in answer to his soothing words and afiectionare
attentions
SOL" Then turning his face away, and earnestly
pressing Joseph's hand, he said, in an agitated
voice, Tell me truly, my son, does it ever occur
TO you, that have been TO blame for this great
misfortune that has befallen you z"
You, dear father ~ he exclaimed, 81 do not
understand what you mean"
Still keeping his face turned away, and speak
ING with effort Mr.. Barker said, 'Do You remem-
Der once when was beating my horse cruelty
| - of / uaiobbor Good
win remarked TO me, that l giving a bad
lesson to my son 1! was angry with him at the
lime and perhaps that resentment helped to
make me hard toward poor Young fellow who IS
dead and gone but his words keep ringing in
my cars. May God in his mercy, forgive me if !
have ever done or said anything to lead You into
this great sin. Tell me, Joseph, do you ever
think it might have happened otherwise, if you
had had a less violent father 2"
any poor father !" exclaimed the prisoner.
pressing his hand convulsively, at almost breaks
my heart to hear vOu thus humble yourself before
me- who so little deserves 1t at your hands. On
ly forgive me my violent outbreaks, dear father
| for in the midst of them all, l loved you. You
have always sought TO do me good, and would
rather have died than led me into any harm. But
since have been here in prison, have thought
| of,nonv things that never occurred to me before.
| The world and all things in 1t are placed before
| me in a different light. 1t seems to me men are
| all wrong in their habits and teachings see now
that retaliation and hatred are murder have
read often of late the exhortaion OF jesus to Tor
give our brother his offences, not only seven tunes
but seventy times seven and l feel that thus 1t
ought to be with human beings IN all iheir rela-
| lions with each other. What l have done cannot
be undone; but if it will be any satisfaction to
Won, rest assured that did notintend to kill him
| I was wretched. and / was fool enough TO drink;
| ard then knew not what i did Violent as my
temper has becn,I never conceived the thought OF
| taking his life"
81 know it, my son, know ii" nc SAID rand
| the reflection consoles me in some degree While
| have loaf of bread / will share 1t with the
mother and sister of him you, he heSitat
ed, shuddered and added in 10" deep tone-
ayou murdered" IL, .ho
prisoner; aand thing more, dear father ny 10
bear up bravey under this terrible biow' ior inc
sake of my poor patient mother
81 will. will" he answered; land now my
dear misguided boy, say you forgive your poor
father for the teachings of his violent worus anu
-. I d;d NOT fnrsee the consequences. my