The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-03-21
illustration OF the Lords Pgayer.

"And forgive US our trespasses as we for
give those who trcspass against Us"
IN never forgive him-neverw .ss
never is hard word, John" said the
sweet-!accd wife Of John Locke, as she look.
ed up moment from her sewing.
"He Is mean dastardly coward, and
upon this Holy Bible /"
stop husband. John. remember he ia
my brother, and by the love YOU bear me.
forbear to curse him. He has done YOU
wrong, I allow: but, o. John, he is very
shame you felt yesterday, will hardly Lo
wiped out with curse. II will only injure
yourself, John. o. please don't say any
I thing dreadful"
| The sweet faced woman prevai,ed--the
curse that hung upon the lips Of the angry
man was not spoken, but he still said: II
will never forgive him-he has done rae O
deadly wrong"
! The young man who had provoked this
! bitterness, BUNDLED and repentant, sought
in vain for forgiveness from him whom, in q
moment Of passion, he had injured almost
beyond rcparation. John Locke steelod his
heart against him.
! In the little store sat the young village
merchant one pleasant morning, contentedly
reading in the morning paper. a sound of
. hurried footsteps approached, but he took
no notice until the keartless boy burst into
the store, screaming at the top Of his voice,
Mr.. Locke, Johnny is in the riyer-little
Johnny Locke
To dash down the paper and spring into
the street was the first impulse of the ago
nized father. On, on like maniac he few
10 tie river, pallid and crazed with anguish.
The first sight that met his eyes, was little
Johnny lying in the arms of his mother, who
with her hair hanging disheveled around her,
bent wildly over the child The boy was
just saved; lie breathed, and opened his eyes
smiled family in his mothers face, while She
with a choking voice, thanked God. AL.
other form lay nsensible, stretched near tho
child. From lis head the dark blood flowed
from ghastly wound The man agains,
whom John Locke had sworn eternal hatred.
had been the savior Of his child He had
struck piece Of diff wood as he came to
Tie surface with the boy, and death seemed
ircvi table.
John Locke flung himself on the green
sward, and bent over the senSeless form
save him. he cried huskily 70 the doctor
who had been summoned, ''restorc him to
Consciousness if it be only for one little mo-
ment-l have something important to say
to him"
'lle is rcviving," said the doctor.
The wounded man opened his eyes-thsy
met the anxious gaze of his brother-in. law,
and the pale lips tremblcd fortt-"Do YOU
lorgivh me-
ayes, yes. God is my witness, as hope
for mercy hereafter, ] freely forgive you; in
turn ask your forgiveness for ny unchris:
tian conduct"
feeble pressure Of the hand and q bea.l.
ing smile was all his answer.
Many days the brave young man hung
upon slender thread Of lie, and never was
there more devoted friends than these who
lowered over his sick bed. But vigorous
constitution triumphed, and, pale and
changed, lie walked once more among tho
living.
"Oh! if he had died with my unkindness
clouding his soul, never should have dared
20 hope Tor mercy from my Father in Hea-
vcn,' said John Locke to his wife, as they
sat talking over the solemn event that had
threatened their lives with living trouble
''Neyer, now that have tasted tn sweet
ness OF forgiveness, never again will | cher
ish revenge or unkindncss toward the crring.
For there is new meaning to my soul in
the words Of our daily prayer, and see
that have only been calling judgments
upon myself while have impously asked
-"Forsiye Us our trespasses as we forgive
those Tho trespass against US"