The North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850, 1850-10-09

he told me, " replied Mr. Legion, :" that he had q
whose fate tormented him more than punishment.
Indeed his mind was 80 distracted respecting the
youth, that he was scarcely able to understand my
exhortations. He entreated me with agonizng ener-
gy to save his son from such life as he had led.
and gave me the address of woman in whose house
he lodged. I was, however, unable to find the boy
in spite of many earnest inquiries"
"Did you hear his name - asked the wife.
"George West,' was the reply.
At the mention of his name the boy ceased to sob.
Breathlessy he heard the account Of his fathers last
request of the benevolent clergymans wish to fulfil
it. He started up towards the door, and endea.
vored to opent. Mr.. Legion calmly restrained him.
"You must not escape he said.
81 cannot stop here. l cannot bear to look at you.
Let me go!" The lad said this wildly, and shook
himself away.
"Why, intend you nothing but kindness
A new flood of tears gushed 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 a long silence, for Mr.. and Mrs. Ley
ton were as much moved as the boy. who was bowed
down with shame and penitence, t. which hitherto
he had been a stranger.
At last the clergyman asked, " What could have
induced you to commit such crime !"
Rising suddenly in the excitement of remorse,
gratitude and many feelings new to him, he hesitat-
ed for moment and then told his history he relat-
ed his trials, his sins, his sorrows, his supposed
wrongs, his burning anger at the terrible fate of his
only parent. and his rage at the exutation of the
crowd, his desolation recovering from his swoon,
his thirst for vengeance the attempt to satsfyt He
spoke with untaught, child-like simplicity, without
attempting to suppress the emotions which success
sively overcame him.
When he ceased, the lady hastened to the crouch
ing boy, and soothed him with gentle words. The
very tones of her voice were new to him. They
pierced his heart acuey than the ercest of the
unbraidngs and denunciation of his old companions.
He looked on his mercifnl benefactors with bewder
ed tenderness He kissed Mrs. Leyton's hand. then
gently laid his shoulder. He gazed about like
one in dream who dreaded to wake. He became
faint and staggered. He was laid gently on sofa,
and Mr.. and Mrs. Legion left him.
Food was shortly administered to him, and. after
time, when his senses had become sufficiently col.
ected, Mr. Legion returned to the study and explain
ed holy and beautiful things which were new to the
neglected boy of the great yet loving Fathers of him
who loved the poor foriorn wretch, equally with the
richest, and noblest and happiest; Of the force and
efficacy of the sweet beautitude 1" Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall obtain mercy"
heard this story from Mr.. Legion, during visit
to him in May. George West was then head-plow.
man to a neighboring farmer. one of the cleanest,
best behaved, and most respected laborers in the
parish. Househoid Words.