Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-06-11
ARTHUR sPRING.


eyoept his spiritual advisers. The object o.
this is to afford him proper opportunities tt
devote 10 reflection every moment OF the
brief period of time allowed for preparation
TO die.
Yesterday, the son OF the felon visited him
and had two interviews with him. The
meeting between them was most efeciing.-
A complete reconciliation took place. The
guilty father clasped the son to his breast
cried over him bit,erly-called him his dear
darling boy--lolj him that he forgavc him
and asked his forgiveness; while the boy
wept upon his parents neck. He begged
young Arthur not 10 leave him, but TO stay
till the execution was over, and see his re-
mains inferred. He also cut off lock Of hi.
hair. which he entrusted 10 Arthur 10 take lc
his orphaned daughters.
Young Arthur p,eously and touchiugly ap
peaed 10 his father TO excupa,e him, and
although the culprt did not yield 10 the boy,
entrealies, still he refraiued from eliminating
his son. The elder Spring was greatly sub
dued after The meeting was over.
The following dialogue between them con-
tains some Of the most affecting portions oi
the conversation, in which The son vainly en-
deayored TO induce his father TO clear him
from the impulation of guilt in the murder.
He said
"My father my father! oh, have pity
upon me oh have pity, and tell the truth
Do, o do, say am inmoeen, Oh, you know
am My dear, dear father, you know am
innocent.n
The father, thus appealed 10, groaned
aloud, and strained him TO his bosom, with
the most intense affection, answering.
"My son, my darling, | will tell the
trmhln
Eagerly seizing on The expression; the son
followed up his weeping request.
'Ua, my father, have pity upon me; oh !!
do say am innocent! You know | had
nothing TO do with the murder Of the wo.
men -
vnlsed with agony, answered cautiously, and
in general terms.
"My dear, dear boy, | will do whatever |
can for you. | will die for you"
Another gush of grief relieved the swelling
bosom of the weeping youth, and again, in
the most affecting manner he said:
"Oh, my father, my dear father, you know
l love you. Oh that | could die in your
stead. For what is life TO me now? Nv
course of misery is already begun. The
gloomy future grows darker every day. You
are soon TO die few brief painful hours
will close your earthly sufferings but mine,
oh, my father, my sufferings, where are they
10 terminated l am already pointed at, and
avoided. Where shall hide my head, if
you die without clearing me from the dread
ful crime! Oh, how can bear 10 live !"
Then, in an agony of grief, he tenderly
upbraded him.
"Oh, my father, my father, you have no
pity, you have no pity. You see me bowed
down with grief and you will make j, deeper
and darker, by Withholding the Truth. Oh,
toll the truth, and die happy! Now, while
clasp you in my arms, lei me bring you 10
God and ask forgiveness, and die in peace
Oh, how can you die withou, telling the
truthw
To all these touching appeals, the deeply
agilated father returned indirect or evasive
answers.
The father gently upbraided the son, as
being the instrumental cause of his convic.
tion. This brought on a passion of grief and
he convulsively sobbed out:
40 my father, what could do, when com.
PEELED to testify; had 10 speak the truth -
o forgive me, forgive me, dear father, my
heart was with you, while my lips spoke
the painful truth. o forgive me -
81 do forgive you, my darling, but not
Burns nor Ragan."
30 yes, my dear father, all o forgive all,
and make your peace with Heaven"
The gentlemen present knelt in solemn
prayer, for the weeping parent aud agonized
child. Afterwards they proposed to leave
them alone for little while, thus addressing
the father:
GArhur The world has condemned you as
no longer fl TO live. II has been reported, that
you said, that if you could gel hold of your
son, you would kill him. We shall now give
you an opportunity to show the world, that
you are not the heartless man you are re-
ported 10 be "
With face suffused with tears, he casped
him 10 his bosom exclaiming, "my darling,
my darling, would not niure hair of your
head"
Their parting was still more efTectinp.-
The father clasping his son 10 his breast,
kissed him repeatedly upon his lips, telling
him 10 transfer them 10 his daughters when
lie next saw them, and finally gave him one
fond kiss for himself.
The son has obtained an order from Mr..
Reed for the remains Of his father after exc.
cution, and he has transferred the same 10
the Rev MIR. Street, who has undertaken
their interment, in accordance with his ex.
pressed wishes.
The Rev. Messrs. Street and Kensil had
another long interview with him, Yesterday,
which resulted in the signing of The follow
ing paper, which was drawn up, and his
signature witnessed by the reverend gentle.
men, whose endeavors have 90 far been
crowned with success, in having softened
his stony heart, and induced at least partial
repentance.
"MoyAMEEsING PRIsoN, June 7, 1883.