The weekly Butte record., 1863-09-12

WHAT ulSrfacc 10 NY seH-NLA. Il
shame to my folks, who, ] suppose, won't
own NE again, fool that | am.''
He gnashed his teeth together, with
an expression Of remorse and conyulsive
pain which drew me nearer TO him than
| could get before. Hardened villainy
repels US, but the moment the sinner
softens, the moment penitence appears,
our sympathies flow out to him, all the
deeper and more impulSive for the bar
rier of guilt which has kept US from him
hitherto, but which we now feel breaking
away.
80, Martini" said l, KS this indeed
You l-the boy l used to watch with
such interest as you grew up, hoping
such great and good things Of You! Q,
Martin, where have you been z"
Pity and tender affection gushed
from my heart. and prevented him from
taking offence at anything might say.
And L Went on, picturing to him the
promise Of his boyhood, the love and
expectation of his friends, the noble and
happy life he might have lived, and the
darkly contrasting career of vice and
wretcnedness to which his career had
been abandoned.
His staggering defiance was all gone,
and tears of anguish and contrition ran
down his sunburnt checks.
81 know it all II know it all '-he
said, with sitting sobs. 81 have tho't
of my home. until my heart yearns as if
it would break. But | don't dare to 90
there. l can't bear to have my sisters
see me so-it would kill my mother -
And my father VIII never forgive me?'
"Your father is an excellent man," |
said.
Il know that, but he is stern, and
when his mind is made up, it is like
melting granite to move him. | wrote
to him a few weeks ago, telling him |
was willing to come back. Here is his
answer"
Martin took letter from his tattered
coat, and gave it to me to read.
In a hand that trembled with emotion
in words that seemed all alive with
the grief Of a broken-hearted father, yet
stern as that fathers iron will-the old
man responded to his sons appeal.
Instead of money he sent him re-
proaches for the past and counsel for the
future. Instead Of inviting him home
with loving welcome, he reminded him
of the many and earnest warning with
which he endeavored to check his sons
ruinous career.
"You have despised those warnings"
he said. "You lave reduced me almost
to beggary in my old age. Ihave sent
you to school in vain. I paid twelve
hundred dollars to keep you out of jail,
when in fit of drunkenness you had
set fire to Squire Ames' house. | trus-
ted two thousand dollars to you to set
you up in business, on your solemn
pledge Of industry and fidelity. Ihave
paid for the carriages you have broken
and for horses you have ruined by over
driving. How have | been rewarded
for all this? What encouragement
have now to send YOU money III your
distress! You have forfeited all claims
upon me. Never send or come to me
again for assistance. You have gone
wilfully from my heart and home, and
your follies have blocked up tie way
behind YOU
A few words Of solemn entreaty that
Martin would by yirtuous conduct re-
deem the past, concluded the ineXorable
fathers letter.
You see,' said the young man, who
had recovered himself while | was read
ing, there doesn't seem to be much
chance for me there. But something
has driven me back. 1t isn't my pov-
erty alone, for | could have done some
thing-or | could have starved; but |
was forced to come-I have begged by
the way-and now what am | here for!
| came through the woods and across
the fields to your house-for you are the
only man | dared to see, and scarcely
dared to see you"
''Have courage" | said. ''The hand
Of Providence is in it. You have been
guided; it is for some wise purpose that
You have been led here. All will be
well, Think
conducted him humbled and weep
ing like child, to a room where he
could wash himself and arrange his
dress. gave him clothes of my own
to put on. Then | sent private mes
sage to his mother, who lost no time,
but hastened to meet her son. | avoid
cd being present at their interview, but
l could not help hearing the sobs of both
behind the closet door.
When the sound Of weeping had sub
sided, | knocked and entered.
Mrs. Lockwood came forward to meet
me with extended hands, her face full
of hope and gratitude.