Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-08-17
lIoutb's department.
1LL NEVER FORGIVE nm.

"I'll never forgive him-never y
"Neyor is a hard word, john said the
sweetfaced wife Of John Locke, as she looked
up moment from her sewing.
ale is a mean dastardly coward, and upon
this Holy Bible ! -
stop, husband John remember he is
my brother {; and by the love you bear me,
forbear to curee him. He has done you
wrong, | allow, but oh John, he is very
young and very sorry. The momontary
shame you felt yesterday, will hardly be wiped
out with a curse. 1t will only injure your
self, John Oh please don't say anything
dreadful.
The sweet-faced woman prevailed the
curse that hung upon the lips of the angry
man was not spoken but still he said, I'm
never forgive him-he has done me deadly
wrong"
The young man who had provoked his bit
terness humbod and repentant sought in
vain for forgiveness from him whom, in a mo-
ment OF passion, he had injured almost beyond
repatriation. John Locke steeled his heart a
gainst him
In his store satt the young village merchant,
one pleasant morning, contentedly reading
the morning paper A sound of hurried foot
steps approached but he took no notice of
it, until hatless boy burst into the store,
screaming at the top of his voice, Mr..
Locke, Johnny is in the rivor-little Johnny
Locke
To dash down the paper, and spring for
the street, was the impulse of the agonized
father. On, on, like a maniac he few, till he
reached the bank Of the river, pallid and crazed
with anguish The first sight that met his
eye was little Johnny, lying in the arms o
his mother, who, with her hair banging dis
sheveled around her, bent wildly over he
child. The boy was just saved. lie breath
ed, and opening his eyes, smiled family in his
mothers face; while she with a choking
voice, thanked God. Another form lay in
sensible, stretched near the child. From hi;
head the dark blood flowed from ghastl,
wound. The man against whom John Locke
had sworn eternal hatred had, at the risk o
his own life, been the savior Of the child. Ill
had struck floating piece of drltwood as b
came to the surface with the boy, and dealt
seemed inevitable.
John Locke flung himself down on thu
greensward and bent over the senseess form
"Save him" he cried, huskily, to the doctor
who had been summoned. "Restore him t
consciousness, if ii be only one little moment
have something important to say to him. u
The wounded man opened his eyes the
met the anxious glance Of the brother-in law
and the pale lips tremplcd forth, DO 20
forgive me 7"
ayes, yes God is witness as hope fc
mercy hereafter, freely forgive you, and
turn ask your forgiveness for my unchrista
conduct"
A feeble pressure OF the hand, and beam
ing smile were all the answer.
Many days the brave young man hun
upon a slender thread Of life and new,
were there more devoted friends than thoi
who lowered over the sickbed. But vigo
Gus constitution triumphed, and, pale al
changed, he walked forth once more amor
the living.
"Oh if he had died with my unkndne
clouding his soul, never should have dare
TO hope for mercy from my Father in heaven
said John Locke TO his wife, as they sat tall
ing over the solemn event that had threaten,
their lives with a living trouble. "Never-
now | have tasted the sweetness Of forgiv
ness-never again will cherish revenge
unkindness towards the erring for there
new meaning to my soul in the words of o
daily prayer, and | see that have only be
calling Judgments upon myself, while | ha
impiously asked, Forgive us our trespasst
as tee forgive those '0ho trespass against as.