The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-02-18

ter requesting an immediate visit at his room
to consider matters Of the greatest importance
to them both. Jewett took leave Of bis COM
panion, promising to return in short time, aud
called upon Salter. As he entered, Sal,er
seized him by the hand and exclaimed
"Jewett yewettl can you forgive me?
am wretched-life is insupportablep, p,
"Forgive you! Wherein have you wrong'd
me?n
Jewett was to this moment entirely unaware
of the part Salter had acted, and Of the mo-
tives which had induced the unfortunate pro-
ceeding. Salter explained to him the whole
matte, which octasioned him the utmost
surprise. They sat in silence for many min
utss-in the silence of conscious guilt, and im-
medicable despair. AT length Salter said:
'sSomething must be done to mitigate my
suffering. Death is preferable to this terri
bic existence. Your guilt is small om2ared
with mine.''
that, have such an innocent one, the partner
Of my disgrace. What can be done? sup
pose the world as vet is ignorant Of our
crimes"
s'Let US submit ourselves to the mercy Of
those we have wronged-and for this purpose
l invited you. What think you2''
"Let me excuse myself to my companion
and will be with YOU"
In the course Of half an hour they started on
foot to visit the Legrand Family. Arriving
ar thu uafo thar cna,a1 ;o<, H. - - y 80.
in front of their humble dwelling, their cour-
age failed them, and, overwhelmed, they lean
ed upon the fence, and resting their heads up-
Oh their arms, gave vent to the anguish Of their
souls.
They were soon observed by tie family, all
Vt whom chanced to be within at the time, and
were ready to console the afflicted. They at
once went to them. feeling much anxiety con-
corning them and the strongest sympathy for
their apparent sorrow. Mr. Legrand recog-
nized them, and with "voice made all of
sweet accord" calling them by name-bid
them be calm and fear not. He opened the
gate and in the kindest manner, asked them
to come into the house and tell them their
griefs. The penitents obeyed, and being sea:-
ed, Salter said he had come to confess all the
crimes that had made them poor and ask
their forgiveness. Jewett also cravsd their
pardon for the part he had taken, and both de-
clared themselves ready 10 make full restitu-
tion. MIR. Legrand told them they had been
forgiven from the first, that no ole Of :he FAM
lily ever cherished aught but pity toward them
or any one connected with the affair. He told
them further they were all contented, and
they need not feel any aasa .iness on their ac-
count This was confirmed by the kind
words and still kinder looks of the other mem
bers of ,he family. They were further told TO
rely upon each member of the family as fast
friend under all circumstances.
s'But,' said Salter, '.the deepest guilt is on
my soul, and | deserve the severest penalty Of
the law. How can repair the broken Law, !,
except by snrrendering myself TO its inilc-
ton"
SIT is difficulty" replied Mr.. Legrand, s:to
compute the amour: Of guilt that belongs to
the conduct Of any member or society. be-
lieye we are all more or less blameable for all
the vice and crime that abounds Il is not the
law that determines the actual criminalty of
onr wrong actions, but the consequences
which result from them. We are all in socie-
ty together, and the conduct OF each affects
the whole, and that Of the whole affects each
either for good or evil. The circumstances Of
education. temptation.&c., must be taken into
the account, and the real effects Of these, no
earthly tribunal can determine. Therefore,
the most feel authorized in doing g'either indi-
vidually or as member of society, in such ca
ses, is to say to the erring as did the brightest
example Of excellence on earth, ssgo thy way
and sin no more" warn you against expo
sing yourselves to the vengeance Of a heart
less community. The people have not the
true philosophy on this subject and there is
little hope # the reformation and happiness of
wrong-doer after he has fallen into the hands
of the law. advise you. then, to forget the
past, or, at least, to repair its wrongs by cuti-
waiting virtue for the future"
Salter and Jewett could not adequately ex-
press the gratitude to those whom their inju-
ries had made their benefactors. Presents OF
money were offered but refused, and they tried
to induce them to take back their former resi-
Deuce, put ia as good condition as before-but
this they also refused saying, that the poor
woman. now living there needed it for her
comfort, and as for themselves. they had
enough and to share.
Mrs. Legrand now enquired Of Jewstt con-
cernlng his wife.
"Alasl alas 70 said he, 81 was compelled to-
day to tell her the cause Of my troubles and
she Is wretched."
81 will 60 Immediately and comfort her,,
said Emma, and she instantly caught her bon
net and shawl, ard departed.
Excellent ladyl" exclaimed Jewett, ssmy
companion will soon be happy"
After much more conversation, thu nature
Of which the reader can imagine, Salter and
Jewett retired with the warmest blessings Of
the family. They were thus, by the counsel
and consolation Of true christians, relieved
fiom burden they had deemed insapportable
and rendered comparatively happy. They saw
virtue now rs they had never seen her before,
and resolved to initiate their benefactors in
fea: excellence.
There are many scenes in conclusion OF this