Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1852-09-30

tered the room she found Ill the DedI Il
lifeless corp be. Death had triumphep d,
1t " hs about three weeks after Il be
occurre ence that the arrival Of a strah-
ger gave to the people Of the little
village of n, a theme upd n
which to exercise their ingenuity.
From his secluded habits nothing
much was known; he had given his
name as Thomas Davis, and to ALL
inquiries maintained strict silence E.
H& was clad in deep mourning, and
bor re the appearance of one who had
passed through scenes Of trial.
For some W eeks after his arrival he
maintained astrict seclusion. The first
place he was seen was at the village
church, and from time to time would
he listen to the discourse, and from
it derive profit. He had made a
confident of the good pastor, and to
him confided the history of his life.
1t was evident to all that poor Davis
was not long for this world, for his
health had begun to fade fearfully.
His cheek as 4sumed the CHASTITY hue
of death, while consumption's flash
overspread his countenanee.
1t was up3na sultry day in sum-
mer that the sick man was seated by
his window, supported by cushions
in an easy chair. The good pastor
sat opposite, reading from the Book
of life, and had just risen from the
posture of prayer.
My kind friend, said the ema-
ciated suiterdr, 4 think my life is al
most over; TIL last week has brought
me very, y yery low
1T is yaiID replied the divine, TO
speak of hope when there is no hope.
Disease has marked you for its prey,
but l hope that you cH IN say, |The
Lord is my Shepherd anl he will pro-
vide
4 believe, sinful as | am, that God
has blessed i ne, and mg many sins
he has forgiven. Thanks be to Him
for His goodness; He has enabled ME
TO Day nv EMPLOYERS the amount
out Of which | wronged them
God neve1 turns frorh a broken
heart, saidItHe pastor solemnly.
i know it, thank God | feel it
but there is another debt to pay, and
as he spoke be conyulsiYely grasped
the hand Of his friend, that letter
which | gave you, haye you sent it?'
AT least an hour ago.
You kndw not Of its contents!
No how could II
Then listen. 1 hre green up my
secret, and by this time the officers of
the law know where TO find Charles
c., the forger+
Great was the astoni ishmept de-
picted in the good pastor IS face as he
heard this announcement. Starting
from his seat in great arm, he ex-
claimed, My friend, my friend, what
have you done! This Vas not re-
quired at your hands. You have
atoned to man as fur as lies in your
power think you that this sacrifice
of yours will atone fd your sin
against God?
No certainly not; but | owe
something to the law 5 OF my coun-
try
1t was not wanted II lot needed.
The law il unjust, and instead Of
punishment the penalty becomes
vengeance.
Thus have i argued to myself, but
the sophi4try would not calm the
voice Of conscience The law was
broken by Inc, knowing It's penalty,
and to it 1 should submit. There is
but one request | have to ask Of you,
and that IS to be by me unto the last.
you must not, shall not die by
the law, Said the pastor, greatly ag=
itated. '
Charlie 5 shook his head, and a
melancholy smile played around his
lips Thus they parted.
In the silent hours df midnight
the eoodepastor was suddenly called
to the beds side of the forger, and
when he 3rrived he found him in
deed dying. + During the night he
had been SEIZED with a fit Of cough
inc, and bad broken 4 blood vessel
Assistance wasIin vain+
1t is nearly over said the dying
man, is he seized the hand Of bis
friend.
lave you found peace are YOU
happy @a4 Ill TIC pastor e6tila r.