The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-01-21

moments And then John Deforest arose, laid
the form 0i his poor vile un0n the bed, aud
through long hours nt silent agony watched
over her, STRIVING to recall her back TO life
and consciousness. At times the little one
IN the cradle mOaned, bnt he stilled it with
a momentary motion ofhis hand, and kept on
his heavy vigil. Could this be he, so bru-
tallZed 50 harsh SO cruel, few hours be-
fore ! Oh, helplessness and suffering. how ye
solten even stony hearts
Ill.
The first grey dawn Of the New Year day
come into the little room as Alice Deforest
opened her eyes to full consciousness. The
moment that she did so, the husband who had
so struggled with death in her behalf through
the long tedious hours, left the bedside. He
could not meet her eyes, then, at the first
moment Of their opening. He passed gently
out Of the door, and stood in the cold wind
on the little piazza Of the humble house.
Strange! that wind of morning brought him
more Of life and hope than it had done in
many long day, and the fever Of his brow
seemed to cool away as with an angels touch.
lie realized that it was New Year morn
| ing, and thoughts OF what other New Years
had been to him-when a struggling boy--a
struggling man--a man Of wealth and honor
Ia beggar and dishonored-al these came
back to him, and in that hour il is not too
much 10 believe that something Of the same
holy influence tina, Of old came down upon the
moonlit plains Of Palestine, descended into
his heart, softening his nature, making him
/ more alive to the needs and sorrows of others,
fitting him better for the purposes Of coming
liifes
A few moments, and the husband came
back into the room where he had left his wife.
She was still there, but he saw that she was
making preparations for her departure. In
the early morning light she had arisen, dres-
sed her child, arranged her own disorder
ed garments that had been unchanged all the
night before. and was tying on her bonnet
when he entered. She spoke no word TO
him. but he approached her tenderly and
| said -
! "My dear Alice. where are you going, SO
carly. to spend your New Year :"
Home!" was the single word, and it
sounded like death kneli through the great
heart that had been so long couded by pas
sion and acerated by wrong.
Home Alice 7 and is not this home !"
"My home no longer" was the reply, and
the big tears came down the pale cheeks. and
bursting sobs filled the room. /" 4 am going
home 10 my mother! | have no where else
in the world, now 20
DO not say so, Alice. said the poor
heart-stricken man, " do not leave me stay-
with me be mine yet, unworthy as have,
been OF you = and he stood before her with
bent head, and hands crossed humbIy on his
breast, lowly as very child.
No, John, j" said Alice, through her
choking sobs;" this New Year is a day Of
happy reunion to many, let il be a tlay of
parting to Us. ! had different hopes last
night. tried to put away all my pride, and
mould myselft what thought would be your
will. ! thought that at that still midnight.
when the old year was dying, might win
you TO forget all that had done contrary to
your will, and pray you in the name Of God
to put away all your unworthy courses, aud
that we might once more be happy. II is too
late, now Y
Too late too late - said the stricken
husband, IN a choking voice, /" do not say so,
Alice Oh let it never be too late 10 re-
pent.n
Too late. john" and the poor wile's
voice was so broken and husky that the tones
could scarcely have been distinguished cx-
eept BY the ear that was listening in such
agony, "it was never too late until you
raised your hand to strike me That broke
all bonds between US. can never trust you
again."
"0h. God forgive me - said the strong.
man, dropping upon his knees, and covering
his face with bis hands, that ever have
been so FAR tempted by my evil passions!
What can do to prove to you that am not
all degraded: Forgive me-trust me--even
as should have forgiven you more and irus
ted you more will you not, Alice:"
cannot, john, / cannot Y
John Detorest rose, went TO the little book
case on the wall, took down the little cIasped
bible, and read, "And forgive Us our tres.
passes even as We forgive those who trespass
against us!' Then he replaced the book,
turned his face 10 the window, and was silent.
though choking sobs ennyulsed his frame.
There was a rustic Of garments. though he
scarcely heard II, but the next instant his
wife was lying on his breast, her arms cling.
ing clusc around his neck, and her flse burr.
ed in his bOsom, while she repeated:
"' liat isay nnto yoa seyent, times seven.
Husband, Iprglte me, too, all tint have been,
oil that have failed IL be-! HE past may
never be recalled, blt It mas br atoncd."
I" u may, vile spuSr the husband through
nls last Filling iesrs snii liis lhckening so1s
]" u Is New itar; lct il bc New fear TO
u! o.. how mpch each ol us hss misal,ler-
STOUT die oilCr--h,w mYct ii l,c wc haze
Uastc'l u i trlp i. 10 frt ~ eg.i other
sul npi Tor ourselves. anl u We shall Tail
~ more II ihe great struggle"
T" understand ,ou. husbdni." said tie
w,iC ;"l khJW WhFre W have buti erred.
let us err 40 narc, but live Tor each other r.
. have asked yuu IL forgive NE. dear
Alice. said John DeIarcst; " but DO not
ask yUu 10 trust inc without teial. Its New