Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-02-07

Jams"
He only answered BY shaking his head |
slowly aud repeating. as IL TO himself, Poor
Mary, 80 be was her son"
Joseph came in and the as,aiis Of the
dreadful scene were repeated aud dweli up
on, as human beings are prone to dwell on
all that excites strong cmo,ion To him
the name Of Mary Williams couiured up no
smiling visions Of juvenile love; and he
strovc 10 foriify his fathers relenting feel
ings, by plaoingin a strong light all tho ar
gumonts in favor OF the prisoners guilt.
The juryman was glad 10 bethus fortified,
and replied in firm re- assured voice, AT
all events did my duty" Ye, for months
after, the pale young face looked at him
despairingly from the evening air, and camo
between him and the sunshine But time,
which .oftens all things, driftcd the dreary
spectre into dim Sistance, and Mr.. Bar.
ker' faculties were again, completely alb
sorbed in making Asssy for his sou
Joseph was called fne promising young
man, but bis conduct was no, altogether
satisfactory to his parents. lie was fond of
dress and company, and bis impctuous TEN
permanent not uufrequently involved him in
quarrels On two or three Of these occa-
sions, they feared he hal become little ex.
cited by drink. But he was in reality 4
good hearted fellow, and like bis rough faith
err bad undeveloped germs Of deep tender
ness within him His father's life was
boun dup within his his mother loved him
with all the energy Of which her sluggish
nature was capable; and notwithstanding
the inequalities Of his violent and caprieious
temper, the neighbors loved him also
What, then, was their CONSERVATION,
when it was rumored that on bis twenty
fourth birth day lie bad been arrested for
murder And alas it was too true that
his passions had thus far overmastered his
reason He wished to please young girl
in the vicinity, and she treated him cody
because rival bad informed her that he
was seen intoxicated and in that state
spoke over boldly Of being sure Other love
He drank again, to drown his vexatisn and
while the excitement of the draught was
upon him, be met the man who had Inform.
ed against him Unfortunately, an axe was
at hand, and in the double fury of drink
and rage, NC struck with it again aud again
One hour after 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 in.
to court of justice on an affair of life End
death How differently all questions con-
nected with the subjec, presented them
selves now As he sat beside that dar-
! ling son, the pride of his life. his only hope
on earth oh, bow he longed for Yords Of
fire to plead that his young existence might
DO spared for repentance and amendment
How well he remembered the iuryman's plea
for youth and intoxication end with what
an agony Of selfreproach he recalled bis own
hard answer With intense anxiety he
watched the countonnnces of the jury foi
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 return
ed 10 haunt him and Joseph his best be,
loved his only one, stood beside it, pale ant
haudcuffod, as he had been. The voice
that pronounced his son guilty sounded like
an awful ocho Of his owns aud be seemed
to hear Mary Williams whisper, and my
son also was very young
That vigorous of s3oot from bis own cxis
tence, so full oflfe and feeling, and, alas
Of passion, which misguides us all-he mus
die J No earthly power can save him.
. May the ALL MERCIPUL sustain the pool
father. as he watches the heavy slumber o
bis only son in that dark prison, and wbil'
, he clasps the cold hand, remembers so wei
the dimpled fingers he used to hold in his
when little Joe sat upon his knee and pratt
e tied childish love.
And the ALL MEKcIFuI lDds with him
aud sont influence TO sustain him through
% that terrible agony II did not break hi:
? heart; il melted and subdued him Tn,
J CONCEALED sympathies Of his nature howeC
9 under this ordeal of FIRE; and, for the frs
1 time he had realizing sense that ever,
y human being is, or has been somebody
y little Joe.
f. Glow kind you are to me" said tn
9 prisoner. In answer 10 his soothing word
aud afFectionate attention.
5 tie replied meekly, Would ] had Away
! been So Then turning his face away
4 and earnestly pressing Joseph's hand, h
said, in an agitated voice, TEL me truly
/ my son, does il ever occur 10 YOU, that
p have been to blame for this greet misior
). tune that has befallen youf'
'YoH, dear iatber!" be exclaimed. | d
= not understand whai Won mean. -I
!. Sill keeping rs lace tarned away, an
is speaking With efott Dir. Barker said. I'D
ls you remember onne, rhen l was beating N
Is horse cruelty, (ypa we're boy Of tvely
p them Deighbor Gpodgin remarked 70 n'
70 that ! wa ewing bad lesson 70 my son
" was angry WITH Elm a The time; and pei
ID haps that resentment helped TO nrake N
hard towards poor young lei'o~ who
y, dead aud gone but bis words keep Tiagu
cr 10 my ears May God IN his mercy, ioi
J. give me II have ever said o. done Anytbil
CT 10 lead you into this great sin. Toll N
er Joseph do you ever think il might have la
"a pened otherwise n you had bad les' ri
,h imt father