Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-01-23

with their lanterns all about tue lnrIn. vi course
they found no sccompIIces, nothing at all but
the handful of halt consumed matches the lad
had dropped, and he all that time stood tremb-
ling, and occasionally struggling, beneath the
firm, but not rough grasp Of the master who
held him.
At last the men were told to return to the
house and thilher, bya different pnth, was
George led, nil they entered small, poorly-fur-
shed room. The walls we covered with
books, as the bright flame of rjf fire revealed to
the anxious gnze of the little c. writ, The clergy
man lit lamp, and surveyed sisprisoner aiten.
lively. The lads eyes were fixed on the for
whilst Mr. Leyton's wandered from his pale,
pincbed features, to his scanty, ragged attire,
through the latter OF which he eau decern the
thin limbs quivering from cold ocfear and when
at asst impelIed by curiosity at the long silence,
George looked up, there was something 50 sad
ly compassionate in the strangers gentle look
that the boy could scarcely believe that he was
really the u'an whose evidence had mainly con.
| HiO"'V" w udHSpDIl HIS li'HtF' hl lHe Wldl lie
had been unable to see his face, and nothing so
kind ever gazed upon him. Ills proud bad
feelings were alrei dy melting.
You look half sarved," said Mr.. Leyton
"draw nearer to the FIRE you can ii dawn on
that stool whilst question yon; aud mind you
answer me the truth. am not nag 'straie, but
of course can easily hand you over to jnustice if
you will not allow me to benefit You In my own
way"
George still stood twisting his ragged cap in
lIis trembling fingers, and with 50 much emotion
depicted on his face, that the good clergyman
resumed IN still nore 'othIng accents: 81 have
no wish to Io you anything but good. my poor
boy look up at me, and see If you cannot trust
me; you need not be thus frightened only
desir" t" hear the tale of misery your appear
nnce indicates.
Here thr young culprit's heart smote him
Was this The man whose hpnse he had tried
to burn? On whom he had wished to bring ru.
in and perhaps death? Was it snare spread Tor
him to lead to confession? But when he luoked
on that grave, compassionate cotntenunce, he
clt that it was not.
"Cpme, nv lad tell me ALL"
Georg" had for years heard little but oahs.
curses, and rbald jests, or The hel's jargon of
his fathers associates. and had been constantly
cuffed aud punished; but the be,trrpart Of his
nature not extingu,r'IsrI ANA lose words
from the mouth of his enemy, he dropped on his
knees, and casping his hands, tried to speak ;
but could only sob. He had not swept before
during that day of anguish; and now lis tears
gushed forth, so freely, his gre was so passionate
DIS he half knelt, half rested on the floor, that the
good questoner saw that sorrow must have Its
course ere calm could be- restored
The young penitent still wept, when knock
was heard at the door, and lady entered. 1t
was the clergyman's wife; he kissed hel as she
asked how he had succeeded with the wicked
man in jail.
He told me" replied Mr.. Legion, " "that he
had son whose fate tormented hlm more than
his punishment Indeed, his mind was so dis
tracted respecting the youth, that he was scarce
y able to understand my exhor;ations He en-
treated me with agon'zng energy to save his
son from such a life as he had led and gave me
the address of woman in whose house he Io1g-
3 ed. was, however, unable 10 find the boy, IN
: spite of many earnest enquiries"
"Dld you hear bis name ?" asked the wife.
, "Gcorge West," was the reply.
e At the Mention of his name, the boy ceased
; to sob Brealhlessly he heard the account oil
his fathers last request, of the clergymahs w'sh
to fulfil it. He started up, ran towards the door
8 and endeayored to open it ; Mr.. Leyton calmly
e restrained him. "You must not escape he
q daid.
. : 81 cannot stop here. cannot bear to look at
you. Let me go!" The lad said this wildly
. and shook hinlself away.
> WHY. intend YOU nothing but kindness"
A new flood of tears guShed forth, and
George West SAID between his sobs,
WHILST you we're searching fo Inc to help
me, was trying to burn you In your house.
cannot bear it" He sunk on his knees, and
covered his face with hs hands.
J. There was long silence, for Mr.. and Mrs
Leyidti we're as much moved as the boy, who
was bowed down with shame and penltence. tc
" which hitherto lie had been a stranger.
At last the Clergyman asked, "Whst could
-. have induced you to commit such crime ?"
Rising su denly in the excitement of remorsc
. gratitude, and many feelings new to him. he hesi
, tared lor a moment and then told his story HI
related his tria's; his sins, his snrrows mis- sup
4 posed wrongs his burning anger at the lerrb,
\ fate of his only parent, and his rage at The exu
!. tati6h of the crowd his desolation on recover
ing from his sw0oh, his thirst for vengeance, thu
!. attempt to satisfy it. He spoke with untaught
a child-Iike simplicity, without attempting 70 sup
- press the emotions which succossvely overcam
hlm.
10 When he ceased, The lady hastened to tn,
IN crouching boy, and soothed him with gentI
At words. The very tones of her voice were ne,
,e to him. They pierced his heart more acutel
a, than the fercest ofthe upbraidings and denunc
is atoms Of his old companions lie looked on hi
to mercin benefactors with bewdeled tenderness
e. He kissed Mrs Leyton's hand, then gently lai
nj on his shoulder. He gaxed about like one in
IS dream who dreaded to wake. He became fair
Iy and staggered. lie was laid gently on sof
ly and MIR. and Mrs. Leyton left m.
e. Food was shortly administered to him, an
ne after time, when his senses had become sutf
I'D ciently collected, Mrs! Leyton returned to III
'g study, and explained holy and beautiful thing
Sc which we're new to the neglected boy of til
he great, yet loving Father, of Him who loved tn
a C.rI..-, -