Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-10-21
CLEARFIELD Pa WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 81 1857

one by a stric. l;fe, which can be yours thro'
trust in God"
ssIn whose just providence he said, "huge
crime walks unrebuked, while little sins are
avenged serenfold.'
ssI appealed to every memory, hope. or as
piration that believed yet lurked or ever liv-
ed in his bosom. They only awoke new to-
kens of despair, and utter hardness, but at last
a thought came to me, and l said, Young
friend, God keep me and you, as pity you !;
but shudder to think your fate is not the
worst your act may have produced. 1t may be
you have a mother, whose trembling frame
hangs over the grave, heavy with agony for a
loved son in prison and in shame
ssGod reward you that you said it, whoever
he was," said the poor mother, who, beguiled
by her interest in the prisoner, had been led
into a vacant cell to hear the story, uncon-
scious of the pause, though eager to test her
last hope.
The jailor continued ssThe poor youth lift
cd his pale hands, and smote his breast, ex-
claiming: 80, forbear, forbear-my mother, o,
my mothern and turned from the sight of
sented to let me move him into anothers cell,
where little sunlight, little fresh air, and
the waving of green grass about the dungeon
window, might be some soace to imprison-
ment. Since then he has been growing and
generous spirit. Contrte and humble, yet not
meanly crouching. Ceasing to accuse man
kind or himself bitterly, he waits in patience
for M of role Ha oil iS
name. 1t is not for you to ask. But few
steps now,'' he said, for they had resumed
their walk, sswill bring you to his CELL" The
great door yielded, as its fourfold, triple bolts
fell back.
A little stream of light poured across theil
path from cell within. The great door clos
ed again with jar, the cell was opened, and
the dinmed eyes of the grief-bowed and age
bent woman, fell upon pale, sad-faced young
man of about thirty, who lifted his eyes will
faint smile as the keeper of the prison en-,
| tered, but turned with an instant's glance o.
| inquiring wonder on the changed form before
| him.
1t was but for an instant. The mother spoke
ssWillie, my boy, is it you ?''
ssMy mother,''
The jailor retreated, leaving mother and sor
locked in each others arms. Ask not of me
how passed the next hour in that lone cell how
memory flooded all the past with tears, how
the long heaviness of eight distressful years OF
pilgrimage rolled in 4 moment from that mo-
theirs heart, and left no thought there of the
erring, and the lost, but only one deep glow
ing, overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy
in the penitent found, the darling of that poor
old heart SO long wearied, now so blest!
That hour passed, and left no cloud between
them and short as it was, it suffice1 the Jail
or to do some business in, for when he came
back he brought the Governor in person TO
the cell, with full pardon in his hand, if he
should find the prisoner worthy; and before an
other half hour Willie Byron and his happy
mother were on their way home again, where
the kind charities of the good had given her
the means to retreat, and see her son pros
porous farmer in the neighborhood, before she
closed her satisfied eyes in death.