Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-09-10

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again to drown his vexation and while the ex.
citement of the draught was on him, he met the
man who had informed against him. Unfortun.
ately an axe was at hand, and, in the double fury
of drink and rage, he struck with it again and
again. One hour after, he would have given all
he ever hoped to possess, nay, would have glad
ly died, could he have restored the life he had
so wantonly destroyed,
Thus, Mr. Barker was again brought into a
court ofjustice, on an affair of life and DEATH
| How differently all questions connected with
| the subject presented themselves now As he
sat beside that darling son, the pride of his life,
his only hope on earth, oh, how he ionged for
words of fire to plead that his young existence
might be spared for repentance and amendment,
How well he remembered the juryman's plea for
youth and intoxication ami with an agony of
self reproacb he recalled his own hard answer |!
With intense anxiety he watched the counter
ances the jury for some CLEANS of compassion
But ever and anon, pale young face doomed
up between him and them, and gazed at him
with fixed despair. The vision of other years
returned 10 haunt him and Joseph, his best be-
loved his only one, stood beside it, pale and
handcuffed, as he had been. The voice that
pronounced his son guilty sounded like an aw-
fal echo of his own-and he seemed to hear Ma
ry Williams wisper.--"And my son also was
very young"
That vigorous off-shoot of his own existence
SO full of life and feeling, and alas, of passion,
which misguides us all-he must die No
earthly power can save him May the All Mer.
citul sustain the poor father, as he watches the
heavy slumber of his only son in that dark
prison; and while he clasps the cold hand, re-
members so we'll the little dnnpled fingers he
used to hold in his, when little Joe sat upon his
knee, and pratted childish love.
And the All Merciful was with him, and sent
influences to sustain him through that terrible
IL 4 hoo ri Tod
and subdued him. The concealed sympathies
of his nature flowed under this ordeal of fire /;
and, tor the first time, he had a realizing sense
that every human being is, or has been some
body's little Zoe.
How kind you are to me- said the prisoner,
in answer to his soothing words and affection
ate attentions.
He replied meekly, Would l had always
been so = Then turning his face away, and
earnestly pressing Joseph's hand, Tell me tru-
y, my son, did it ever occur to you that | may
have been to blame for this misfortune that has
befallen your
'You dear father! he exclaimed. 1 do not
understand what you mean.
Still keeping his face turned away, and speak
ing with an effort, Mr.. Barker saId DO you re-
member once, when l was beating my horse
cruelty, (you were a bay of twelve then, } neigh
Dor Goodwin remarked to me, that was giving
bad example to my son? l was angry with
him at the time; and perhaps that resentment
helped TO make me hard against poor young
fellow who is dead and gone but his words
Keep ringing IN my ears now. May God in His
mercy forgive me, if have ever done or said
anything to lead you into this crest sin. Tell
me, Joseph, do you ever think it might have
happened otherwise, if you had had a less vio-
lent father7'
My poor father exclaimed the prisoner,
pressing his hand convu!sively, 1T almost breaks
my heart TO hear you thus humble yourself be-
fore me, who so little deserve it at your hands.
Only forgive me my violent outbreaks, dear ia
Their, for in the midst of them all / always loved
you. You always sought to do me good, and
would rather have died than have led me into
any harm. But since have been here in prison,
have thought of many things that never &C.
CURED to me before. The world and all things
i'll it are placed before me in different light
1t seems to me that men are all wrong in their
habits and teachings. see now that retaliation
and hatred are murder. have read often of late
the exhortation of Jesus to forgive our brother
his offences, not only seven timls, but seventy
times seven and feel that il ought TO be thus
with human beings in all their relations with
each other. What l have done cannot be UNI
done but if it will be any satisfaction to you,
rest assured that did not intend to kill him.
l was wretched, and was fool enough to drink,
and then / knew pot what did Violent as
thought of taking his life
i know it, my son, know it, he sad and
that reflection consoles me in some degree
While have a loaf of bread, l will share it with
the mother and sister of him you--' he hesita-
ted, shuddered, and added in low, deep tone
you murdered
L was going to ask that of YOU, replied the
prisoner, and one thing more, dear father, try to
bear up bravely under this terrible blow, for the
sake of my Door, patient mother,
Il will, l WILL he answered and now my
dear misguided boy, say you forgive your poor
father for the teachings Of his violent words and
actions. i did not foresee the consequences. my
child. l did it in my ignorance. But it was
wrong, wrong, all wrong
The young man threw himself upon his IA
theirs bosom, and they had no other utterance
but tears.
After his only strong link to life was broken