Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-10-06

cling her in his arms in frightened grasp
as If he thought he was safe as long as he
could have her near him; and so he was.
ifheavenly innocence and goodness could
protect one so sinful as he.
But hark-now is heard low, sweet
voice, at the sound of which the boy
started as if it had been wall of music
from the spirit-land, which fell upon his
ear. See IT'S she, that beautiful. gen.
tie one; that step-mother. whom he had
so hated, scorned. insul.ed. She is 60
ing to plead for him! She is kneeling 1t
her husbands knee.
Husband, dear Thomas, turn me not
away; refuse not to listen; but oh, let NC
speak. now. Look al your son, sinful,
erring. know; but still your son, your
own child. Think how you have loved
him in days that are gone, when he was
we have cherished for him. of the pride
with which we have looked on him.
Then remember you sent him away from
us. so distant. where. alone among stran-
gers. there was not one friendly hand. one
counselling voice to stay him from the
powers of temptation. Think of all this;
and then, for moment. think of her. the
eparted-even his mother-your spirit
wife. Think how she loved him, for you
have oft told me that Harry was, of this
little band, TO her the dearest. He was
her first born. her idoized. her life, you
said. Then, ere you doom his name. his
youth, his life perhaps, to PRISONS cell,
there to languish and pine. think, oh
think of her. If angels do look down
upon those they loved when here, think
you though It's sad grief cannot reach
them there. that it will De with other
who was. who is now so dear to her, the
inmate of fe Ions cell. there dragging
his life in gloom. in misery. with naught
but the breath of sin TO fan his brow? oh,
think! Look on him and relenti Cast
him not from US. but oh forgive him. 'Tis
if ever you loved her, then, if not for my
sake, oh. for hers. for the sake of her no.
ly memory, take him to our home, TO
your arms. once more. God above will"
She could say no more. She, that tim
Id. gentle one, had summoned all her en-
power TO her unknown. And now the
life color left her face, and she sunk as if
in a death stupor, from the fear and ex-
cltement Of the hour.
From the first sound of her voice upon
his ear. Harry had stood and regarded her
as ii in bewildered dream. Was she
pleading for him? him, who had never
spoke to he's one kind word, who had
been her determined foe. who had said j,
al hate her, never will call her moth
er2''
He went and knelt by her side. "Moth-
en-" he said. Yes. he called her mother.
"D:ar blessed mother, awake once more
and speak to me. Say you forgive me-"
And twas that sound that recalled her.
"What did you wish, Willie? did you
not just call me?" she said. half revived.
No. dearest mother, / il was who call
ed you." said Harry.
lyon. dear Harry. did you call me
mother? Am your mo ther?" and tears
of JOY ran through her dropping lids, and
she smiled a strange. sweet smile on him.
Yes, dear. dear mother" and he took
her hand in his own. sit was who call
ed you'll May call you mother? Will
YOU be my mother?"
Her smile of unutterable sweetness as
sured him, and it was mid thick. heavy
sobs that he murmured. "forgive me,
mother, oh! will you, can you forgive me
the pasi?"
Forgive you. my son? Yes, indeed.
If could remember aught to forgive
But It's all forgotten, long ego. If ever
there was aught, am repaid in this hour
for all | may have suffered"
Tears had been flowing down the ia
theirs cheeks during this scene, and now
he arose and took the hand of his gentle
wife, and said, turning to Hairy,
Henry Merrill, l had determined new
er TO forgive you; never to aid you more;
never more to regard you as my child
But now, though thought none could
move me to it. forgive you! | will save
you from the living tomb that is waiting
for you-you shall be again my son.
But, and mark this we'll. Ills to her-this
blessed one, that you owe your forgive
ness. Yes. to her alone. And now list
en-. Years ago. l heard you, though you
knew il not. as you stood in this room
with these children. utter words that
grieved me to the heart; they were these:
II never will call her mother; she our
mother, indeedl so proud! I'll hate her. p"
And then heard you strive to make these
children her enemies. Think ofit-think
of your subsequent treatment of her. and
then see if you deserve that she should be
your saviour. Do you still think her
proud? Behold she is not too proud to
plead for you. like slave on Bonded