Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-09-06
on that grave, compassionate countenance, he

on that grave, compassionate countenance, he
felt that it was not.
"Come. my lad, tell me all.
George had for four years heard little bu
oaths and curses, and ribald jests, or the thef's
jargon of his fathers associates, and had beer
constantly cuffcd and punished but the better
part of his nature was long eXtinguished; and al
those words from the mouth of his enemy, he
dropped on his knees, and clasping his hands
tried to speak, but could only sob. He had not
wept 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
on the floor, that the good questioner saw that
sorrow must have its course ere calm could be
restored.
The young pentent still wept, when knock
was heard at the door, and LADY entered 1t
was the cergyman's wife he kissed her as she
asked how he had succeeded with the wicked
man in the jail?
"He told me-" replied Mr. Legion, ''that he
had son whose fate tormented him more than
his punishment. Indeed his mind was so dis
tracted respecting the youth, that he was scarce
ly able to understand my exhortations. He en-
treated me with agonizing energy to save his son
frem such life as he had led, and gave me the
address of a woman in whose house he lodged.
| was, however, unable to find the boy in spite
OF many earnest inquiries.
Did you hear his name asked his wife.
"Gaorge West" was the reply.
At the mention of his name, the boy began to
sob. Breathlessly he heard the account of his
fathers last request of the benevolent clergy
mans wish to fulfil it. He started up and ran
towards the door and endeavored to open it; Mr..
Legion calmly restrained him,-"you must not
escape" he said.
81 cannot stop here. cannot bear to look at
YOU Let ME go!'' The lad said this wildly,
and shook himself away.
"Why, intended nothing but kindness"
A new flood of tears gushed forth; and George
West said between his sobs,
"Whilst You were searching for to help me, |
was trying to burn you in your house. | can
not bear it," He sunk on his knees, and cover
ed his face with both hands.
There was long silence, for Mr.. and Mrs.
Legion were as much moved as the boy who
was bowed down with shame and penitence to
which hitherto he had been stranger.
AT last the clergyman asked, I" What could
have induced you to commit such crime ?"
Rising suddenly inthe excitement of remorse,
gratitude, any many feelings new to him. he hes
iated for moment and then told his story; he
related his trials his sin, his sorrows, his suppo-
sed wrongs, his anger at the terrible fate of his
only parent, and his rage at the eXultation OF the
crowd, his desoation on recovering from his
swoon, his thirst for vengeance, the attempt to
satisfy it. He spoke with untaught, child-like
simplicity, without attempting to suppress the
emotions which successfully overcame him.
When he ceased, the lady FASTENED to the
crouching boy and soothcd him with gentle
words. The very tones of her voice were new
to him. They pierced his heart more acutey
than the fercest of the upbraidngs and denun-
Citations of his cid companions. He looked on
his mercifal benefactors with bewdered tender
ness. He kissed Mrs. Ley,on's hand then gent
ly laid on his shoulder. He gazed about like
one in dream who dreaded to wake. He be-
came faint and staggered. He was laid gently
on sofa, and Mr. and EIrs. Legion left him.
Food was shortly administered to him, and af-
ter time, when his senses had become suffi-
cienty collected, Mr.. Legion returned to the
study, and explained holy and beautiful things,
wt.;<h were new to the neglected boy; of the
great yet loving Father; Of him who loved the
poor, folorn wretch, equally with the richest, and
noblest, and ha?piest; of the force and efficacy
of the sweet beatitGde,- g Blessed are the merci-
full tor they shall obtain mercy"
heard this story from Mr.. Legion, during a
visit to him in May. George West was then
head ploughman to a neighboring farmer, one of
the ceanest, best behaved, and most respected
laborers in the parish.