Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-09-14

lures TO his scanty, ragged nttire, through
the tatturs Of which he could discern the
thin limbs quiverng from cold or fear, and
when at last, inpellcd by curiosity at the
long silence, George looked mp, there was
something so sadly compassionate in the
strangers gentle look, that the boy could
scarcely believe that nc was really the man
whose evidence had mainly contributed TO
transport his father. A: the trial he had
been unable TO see his face, and nothing so
kind had ever gazed upon him. Ills proud
bad feelings were already melting
"You look halfstarved," said Mr.. Ley
ton, "draw nearer to the fire, you can sit
down ON that stool whilst ! question you; I;
and mind you answer me the truth. am
not magistrate, but of course can easi-
ly hand you over to Justice il you will not
allow me to benefit you in my own way"
George still stood twisting his ragged cap
in his trembling fingers, and with so much
emotion depicted on his face, that the good
clergyman resumed, in still more soothing
accents g have no wish to do you any
thing but good, my poor boy look up at me,
and see il you cannot trust me; you need
not bo thus frightened. ] only desire to
hear the tale of misery your appearance IN
dicates, to relieve it if can"
Here the young culprit's heart smote him.
Was this the man whose house he had tried
to burn? On whom he had wished 20 bring
ruin and perhaps death Was il a snare
spread for him TO lead to confession? But
when he looked on that grave compass
sionate countenance, he felt that it was not.
"Come, my lad, tell me nll."
George had for years heard little but
oaths, and curses, and rbald jests, or The
thief's jargon Of his fathers associates, and
had been constantly cufl6d and punished (;
hut the better part of his nature was not ex-
tinguished; and at those words from the
mouth of his enemy he dropped on his knees,
and, clasping his hands, tried to speak; but
could only sob lie had not wopt before
during that day of anguish and now his
tears gushed forth so freely, his grief was so
passionate as he half knelt, half rested OH
The floor, that the good questionor saw that
sorrow must have its course ere calm could
be restored
The young penitent still wept, when a
knock was heard at the door, and lady en-
tered. II was the clergyman's wife; he
kissed her as she asked how he had sue
ceeded with the wicked man in the jail.
"lIc told me-" replied Mr.. Leyton, "tlat
he had son whose fate tormented him more
than his punishment. Indeed his mind WI s
so distracted respecting the youth, that he
was scarcely able to understand my exhor-
tations. lie entreatcd me with agonizing
energy to save his son from such life as he
had led, and gave me the address of woman
in whose house he lodged. l was, however,
unable to find the boy in spite of many ear
nest inquiries"
"Did you hear his name?" asked the
wife.
"George West" was the reply.
At the mention ofhis name, the boy ceased
to sob. Breathlessy he heard the account Of
his fathers last request, of the benevolent
clergyman's wish to fulfil it. He started up,
ran toward the door, and endeavourcd to
open it; Mr.. Leyton calmly restrained
him. "You must not escape" he said.
al cannot stop here. l cannot bear to
look at you. Let me goP' The lad said
this wildly, and shook himself away.
"Why,I intend you nothing but kind
ness"
A new flood of tears gushcd forth; and
George West said between his sobs.
"Whilst you were searching for me to
help me, ! was trying to burn you in your
house. | cannot bear it," He sunk on
his knees, and covered his face with both
hands.
There was n long silence, for Mr.. and
Mrs. Leyton were as much moved as the
boy, who was bowed down with shame and
penitence, TO which hitherto he had been a
stranger.
At last the clergyman asked, "What could
have induced you to commit such crime p
, Rising suddenly in the excitement of re.
J morse, gratitude, and many feelings new to
him, he hesitated for moment, and then
told his story; he related his trials his sins
, his sorrows, his supposed wrongs, his burn
ming anger at the terrible fate of his only
, parent, and his rage at the exultation of the
crowd: his desolation on recovering from
, his swoon, his thirst for vengeance, the at
, tempt TO satisfy it. lie spoke with untaught
child-likc simplicity, without attempting tC
suppress the emotions which successfully
, overcame him.
! When he ceased, the lady hnstened TO thu
. crouching boy, and soothed him with gentl,
} words. The very tones of her voice wer,
r new to him. They pierced his heart mor'
acutely than the fercost of the upbraiding
; and denunciations of his old companions
: lie looked on his merciful bcnefactors will
bewildering tenderness. He kissed Mrs
} Leyton's hand then gently laid on his should
er. lie gazed about like one in dream
} who dreaded TO wake. He became fain
, and staggered. lie was laid gently on a so
ia, and Mr.. and Mrs. Leyton left him.
Food was shortly administered to him
and, after n time, when his senses had be
come sufficiently collected, Mr.. Leyton re
turned to the study, and explained holy an,
beautiful things, which were new to tn
: neglected hoy: of the great yet loving Faith
er; of Him who loved the poor, forlorl
wretch, equally with the richest, and nobles
and happiest; of the force and efficacy Q
the sweet benttude, Blessed are the mer
: cifnl, for they shall obtain mercy"
. heard this story from Mr.. Leyton, du
I ring visit to him in May George Yves
= was then head-plowman to neighborin
= farmer, one of the cleanest, best behaved
and most respected laborers in the parish.
r LANGUAGE OF NATURr.-J, there M