Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-03-29
YOU free. Wha, say you?-


was too much---hut at length he fell up
on his knees and gasped, Most solemn
ly promisev'
.Heaven bless you, sr!' came from
The full heart of the wife. God will
reward you for this--and you shall see
that your mercy on my hushand--your
trust in him has not been for nought."
The old man, who had listened intent
" through all, now rose up. and tol:er-
ling TO Mr.. Livingston, took both his
nands in his, while Tie tears conrsed over
his wihered checks. Take" said he,
..ihe blessing of ali old man and father.
and God send you, in the hour of tron.
BILE, as sweet peace as you have brought
to this bruised hear, of mne!"
There was a mist in the blue eyes Of
Mr.. Livingston, and his voice was hus-
ky. as turning TO the prisoner, he said
hastily. IL have but lilile time TO spare
this morning. bat there is a crowd about
here, and | will take yon and the child
home in my clrriage, while your wife
and father follow. There has been ex-
pense attending this affair, which, as an
earnest of your good intentions, shall
look for you 10 pay. Notnow, not now"
he continued, as the old man stepped for
ward. ..but shall not lose sight Of you,
and some day will call for il"
The door was opened. and the eager
group without again admitted. There
was much surprise, and not a litle dis
! pleasure. when Mr.. Livingston calmly
/ ordered the constable to set William Mil
ford free. Smith had no power to con-
ccai his Indignation. For his part, he
thought Lawyer Livingston had no right
TO SCI such 4 scamp al !iberiy--if thieves
and rosues were To be lei loose upon the
town, there was no safety COR anybody
he inienle! to double ock his stable
door, without delay
10 all this Mr. Livingston paid no
head, but simply saying that he should
return In Il few moments to settle with
Mr.. Smlh and those who by his request
had been employed in this affair, for all
/ they had done, he placed Milford and the
child in the chaise and drove of.
! There were mnrmurs of disconent
among the crowd-many marveled. and
some sneerel, at what they considered
Il foolish leniency, and some turned
away disappointed at having lost the
/ fun" of the trial.
That night, in the cottage of the Mill
cords. there Went up supplcations to
Hca. Ell. from lips that had not prayed
for a weary w.hie beiore--,he prayer Of
an humble aud conrite spirit, "Gud be
mercitul to me sinner!''
Aud from the heart of Mary, the heart
purified hy an ordeal oi sorrow, rose fer
vent Thanksgiving, and PRAYER for bles-
sings on him who had poured through
The lhirsty channels of her spirit, Tide
of joy ana hope.
And was no, the sleep of Henry Lv-
ingston calm aud sweet that night, though
an erring man hal gone unpunished.-
there rested on his head the love of Him
who iorgave the pcnitenl-who said,
.Be We also mereiful, as your Father in
Heaven is mercilul.'
Just after sunset, one cool evening in
/ October, and liule more than three
months after the occurrence of these
events, Mr.. Livingston alighted from his
horse before the Milford's cottage.
The door was shut, but the window
curtain was yet up, aud by the bright
blaze OF wood ire, the room and its
occupants were distinctly visible.
The old man sat by the fire with his
lille grand-chi!d upon his knee, who
laughed and clapped his tiny hands in the
widest glee. The table was spread. and
the dishes that smoked upon the hearth
told thai the repast waited for some one
absent.
Mary was stirring bli,hely about. get
ting every thing in readiness-her cheek
was plump, and its beautiful color might
have been reflection from The fires rud-
DIV glow. but il looked more like the
bright hue of perfect health and haPpi-
| ness.
just then ,he door opposite the WIN
dow opened. and a young man entered.
/ Was that William Millord!-wiih the
bright brow ana pleasant eye. and
the glow OF health and cheerful exercise
upon his cheek. |, was pleasan, To see
| ttit Stdu WtiColuc tldt SpdihtSu III titC
eyes of his busy wife, as he greeted her
with "ilere am. Mary!" and pass
ing his arm around her, gave her a play
ful kiss ere he turned 10 take he boy.
whose little arms had been outslretehed
! TO him the moment of his entrance.
! Mr.. Livingston knocked at the door,
which was Immediately opened, and he
was greeted with The liveliest demonsira-
iions of pleasure by all the inmates
The color rose to the young mans brow,
as he grasped his extended hand. and
here was pride in Mary's tone, as
looking from her husband TO Mr.. Livings-
ton, she said, William and have been
hoping to see you here for long time,
sir!"
..And think | should have fastened
my coming, could have realized what a
delightful reception awaited me-" and he
seated himself with the smiling group.
Al his request William Milford rela-
/ ted his past struggles, his present success,