St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-09-08


Enu-wcI', | suppose | have suflerin
OF yours too on my conscience.
could not die without righting Ec
wards, OF course, and | wanted {
hear from her own lips that the onl
woman | ever wronged would forgiy
me. Yes, thank--if | have cheatc
men, and played the deuce with m.
self by drink, | never injured any W
man bnt yourself-for my mother
sake. If you say you forgive me,
am ready to make confession befor
a magistrate, and die in peace"
My father instantly left to summon
one, and, as well as could for tear
OF JOY for Albcrt's justification, an,
sorrow for the dying man, | comfortc,
him by my earnest pardon. He askc,
me to shake hands with him, and cx
tended such cold and wasted fingers
that for very pity | could but Civ,
them warm and heartfelt clasp.
As continued to hold his hand il
both OF mine, he seemed incxprcssibly
touched and wcpt unrcstraincdlv.
81 have regretted long" he sobbcd
but now lrepcnt. Will God forgive
me ?"
Mr. Phillips took my place beside
him, and soothcd him with prayer and
promise.
| returned home in the carriage
alone and some hours afterwards
my father and Mr. Phillips came in
They had been taking the necessary
steps to set Albert free, and the mex,
day were to go to prison for him.
| will go with you" said, calmly
and firmly.
lsaw the dreaded struggle begin
in my fathers mind. Though Albert
had suffered so wrongfully, and though
| had been SO near death at being
parted from him, | saw that my father
could hardly brook man from the
states Prison as son-in-law, aud would
keep us apart if he could.
| awaited his speaking quietly.
Looking into my face, he had no heart
to say what he at last resolved upon.
but cvadcd the direct question by de-
at my going to Albert, and
not sitting patiently for him to come
to me. AS if he ever would have
come after being warned off again, as
he had been once before by my father
" He may be panied by seeing you,
when pride forbids his sucing for
your hand" he suggested.
I" If | can grant it, he shall have
the chance to sue if he wish it," fall
tered. "Unlcss you forbid my seeing
him, | will go to the prison to-mOr-
row."
The next day we went, at the ap-
pointed hour, to end that long, unjust
My father and | were
posted at the door of the cell, to await
a summons from Mr. Phillips, who
WAS to prepare Mr.. Edwards for joy
full tidingS.
| looked in at the slide used by the
turnkcyS at inspection hours. saw
Albert at last, and alas how old and
grict-worn was that face which looked
out of the past at me young and full
of hope!
Mr.. Phillips introduced himself, and
instantly deep, angry flush dyed Al
bert's face.
Excuse me, sir" said he, IL will
be sincere can have no friendly in
tcrcourse with you"
"Wlll you-calmly--tcll me why ~
asked our dear and reverend friend.
because have heard" began Al.
bert with the bittcrcst emotion, "you
see even these dead walls have cars,
that by virtue of your sacred Office
you have SO impressed the imagina,
ton of -: in short, that you have
crowded me from the one heart | want,
ed to be my refuge from all the pain
10 this hard world"
"My friend,' said Mr.. Phillips,
glancing up to me, and by look
claiming my attention, " will con-
fess that | myself did believe | en-
crossed that lady's regard. This hui
initiating admission is my just pun
ishment, and | accept it,"
81 have no desire to hear your con-
fess;on, nor witness your humiliation" J."
said Albert sadly. "All l ask is to
be left in quiet to dream of another
world, for this has been no tender
home, but literally prison-housc to
me, and promises me nothing better
in future"
81 have secret satisfaction in
owning up to my cgrcgious blunder
though, especially as it shows that
now see it clearly. did not come to
you, however, for this, but to announce
Il visitor, who can doubtless give you
proof that you will admit, that it was
not | who occupied her thoughts"
Albert grew pale, and set his lips
firmly. Il have before refused to see
her or her father until am publicly
proved an innocent man. That time
must come at last"
at has come now," said Mr.. Phil
lips, laying his hand gently upon AL
bert's arm
1t took no second telling to con
vince the hcarer of this news. 1t hac
been expected for years, and brought
no surprise. But how his face light
ed
Miss W and her father arc
here to explain all to you. May they
enter 2"
listened breathlcssly.
Albert sat down, and strovc fol
composurc. In two minutes, which
seemed an hour, he had gained it, and
Mr.. Phillips opened the door for us.
My fathers arm supported my fal
tering steps, and my face was quict
as Albert's. Our hands met and part
ed in silence we neither dared tt
break by word. Nothing could hav.
pleased my father more than this
avoidance of scene He looked
long and anxiousiy at Albert ; Will,
Mr.. Phillips was explaining the means
of his complete exculpation, and al
he saw the traces of bitter suffering
in that manly, honest face, his hear
relented. He turned to me, and saw
most earnest pleading in my eyes.
We are waiting to take you ava,