Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-04-20

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he felt the clasping arms of lis child dissolve
and fall away from abont his neck.
Wake, husband, wake !" said the voice o.
his wife; and with a strong effort, he raised
himself in bed and looked wildly around the
dim chamber, lighted only by the feeble light
of the night-lamp. 81 heard knock on the
outside door. Do see who it is. Something
tells me it is George, or that some news OF
him is at hand. Open the window, and
speak"
Trembling still from the excitement Of his
dream, Mr.. Bandon went slowly to the win
dow, and throwing it up, asked who was
there.
"Fatherm
Tie moon shone brightly, and there, be-
meath its beams, stood figure which, without
the voice, Mr. Blandon would at once have
recognized as his son. Not worn and squalid
and broken down, as the father pictured him
to his own mind, out strong and erect, and
with the bearing Of 4 man who comes home
with the assurance of being received and well
coined
"Father!" again sounded on the still night
air; and hastily throwing On some clothes,
parents descended to the door.
George entered, and casped them alter
nately in his arms. lie had just arrived in
the cars, and his anxiety would not permit
HIM to sleep until lie had seen them all. He
told them Of his miserable ilight, after the
crime of which hc had been guilty-of the
anguish of mind which he had undergone, in
consequence of his wandering5 amidst cold
and hunger and privatons to the distant West
to which he had walked nearly the whole
way-of his labor, lard and uuremitted, by
which lie had been able to purchase mail
portion Of the rich soil, and had increased his
possessions, until now lie was free Of the
world, and could count broad acres of his own.
He told them, too, that when far away,
with Nature for his only witness, he lad
looked back to the miserable life for which
he had bartered his innocence. and had found
hoI poor and mean it looked to him at that
distance Of time and place. lie told them,
too, that be had made ample reparation t.
every one whom he had injured, before lie
would enjoy single fruit OF his industry
that lie had sworn the Parker5 to secrecy,
preferring that even his parents should not
know of his existence, until lie could appear
before them honorably discharged from the
consequences Of lis early errors.
4 question trcmbled long on Jullana'd lips,
but she could not bring herself to utter it.
Her brother saw her emotion, but before he
could speak, his father anticipated the ques-
ton.
"Whcre is poor Charles Rcnton2'
"Mr. Blalnlun had grown suddenly mild
and forgiving towards all sinful, erring ones.
I" He is here, waiting only To know how
am received, and how we'll | GIN lead Tor
his pardon with my sister"
"Let him cume," said the old man. "T"-
night let us not brar malice against any Lu-
man being. BY the joy Of this Injecting time:
let us receive tU our heAris all who are truly
pepentant. Let him come to our homo and
our hearts again"
A bright l.ok orerspread Il e face of JUL
ana--sucb as had not beeu seen there Tor tile
last six years; and when Gruree went ont
and returned with Charles Reutun, he wei
cumed him with tears and blu>bc+-f'iri it MES
not the slight, sbUwy, ctteminalc youth, vii"
left her in such misery. but a strong, hardy.
yet gentle looking man, Whose hard bands
SHOW Gu luhL ue udu tugUftu W pIlilS li'i''e''
::nto the paths Of respcctabili'y and virtue
once more.
All her early affection for him revived at
c.; nor did the father forbid her to be,tow
il on one t youthful guilt, though misria a.
ble to remember, Was evidently blntte.l ou' b.;
tile higher resolve of his manhood.
\, companicd by the Whole family, Charles
went, on the next day, to the tuwn where
his father resided, and similar scene took
place when they arrived. Mr.. Rcnton Was u
gentle, forgi,ing man. lie tuok his SON al
Jnce to his heart, forgetting that he bad ever
do 10 wrong, III the great and uIspeakable
Joy of seeing him once more.
"And now" said George, Chow soon will
you all be ready to e. home with Us to the
Wesl2 We have sufficient ivr all. No mos e
braidng straw at your aye, dearest mother
no more sal tears for you, my si'trr--but
all shall be happy and peaceful for you.
Yuu will not find lie, father, in such a luxu-
rlous room As that in which | parted from
YOU On that last miserable night, when VIZ.
obliged to flee from iustice--bnt you will find
comfort and plenty ior your declining years,
and a son whose whole life will he tuu short
to make up to you what you have suffered:
ave will gom responded every voice in
The group; and before month had gone by,
the travellers were on their way, rejoicing in
the goodness of that Power which makes
crooked paths straight, and turnrth the hearts
Of men from continuing in evil.
In the pleasant clearing of western forest,
stand four lus houses clustered together by
the side of sparkling river: Broad lands,
cultivated to perfection, and yielding thou
sand fold, are spread beEurc the eye; while
beyond, magnificent forests depth after depth,
invite tue wan'lerer to penetrate their: re-
cesscS. Here dwell the four families, secure
in each Others affection, and enjoying all
that life can give, with tie exception OF the
one remembrance of youthful error, from
which, perhaps, no life ia wholly and ent'Ts-
ly freq.
Tp their children they relate the tale as i
warning rgar4s te,uptatinn and tje little
onrs ll,teD in wrider and aInnsenent that
fathers 80 guul and perfect Us theirs, c'Hlfd
ever bnys bsen led asray
To BUSINESS MES.--Ercry business man