The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-20


he never deserved them-as he does now.
Will his father consent to see him?''
81 do not know" wept the trembling
mother. "He has loved him better than
any child we have. But he will never
hear his name mentioned now Sometimes
he lays grOaning all night, and in his sleep
I have heard him start and cry out, as if
he was in pain, Martin, you will kill me;
you will kill your father!" He isn't the
same man now-he is gloomy and silent
he seems to be brooding over some great
sorrow, and we can guess what that sOr-
row is"
Without designing it, the mother sent
daggers to the heart of her son. He burst
into deep cry of agony, and twisted his
hands into his hair. 1 endeavored to soothe
him, and prevent his doing violence to
himself
"Let me co." said he. "Let me 90.
had better died than ever to have come
back. Why didn't I drown myself in the
river, as was tempted?"
'No more of that" said somewhat
severely. "The terrors of the past are to
be retrieved, not sealed up with the black
seal of despair. l promise you, Martin,
that if you truly desire and will it, you
shall be man yet restored to your home
and friends, and to your own selfrespect.
Will you go and tell his father he is here ?'
80, l dare mott" said Mrs. Lockwood
-''With all his kindness, he is so stern,
he is so set against Martin now, it must be
broken to him by degrees, you must do it. -
81 shall send for him, then, answered.
But I was saved the trouble, by seeing
Mr.. Lockwood shortly afterwards pass the
house. l hailed him from the door, and
invited him to enter my study.
He came in-a tall irOn-framed man,
slightly bent, with his thin gray hair and
wan features, that looked as if they had
known affection and become greatly re-
conciled to it.
He sat down in the chair his son had sat
in but short time before. AS watched
the expression of his stern, sorrowful face,
l thought how strange it was that he could
sit there and think and speak of that son
as distant and lost, unconscious that he
was even in the next room, with but half
closed doors between them.
Yet Mr.. Lockwood must have felt the
influence Of the drama that was enacting
near him. He seemed to know that
wished to talk to him about Martin.
81 have been told," said l, that your
son has written you letter. Is he COM
ing back?"
81 had presentiment when l came in
that l was to have my feelings wrung
again." he responded, uneasily moving,
and knitting his brow, "I'd rather not
talk on that subject. 1t causes useless
pain
81 have heard from your son., said.
''Ah?" He started, and his grey eyes
flckered with emotion, as he turned its
questioning glance upon me. "He has
written to yOu?"
{" have news of him, and / know that
he is penitent He would return to you if
you would receive him. A crisis in his life
has arrived; his whole perhaps
his souls salvation, turns upon the event.
Would we cast off brother at such a
time-how much less a son?"
SIT is useless" cried the old man. sha-
ken by anger or pain, or both, 81 have
tried him; he has failed me in everything.
God forgive him-I can't.
"Has he sinned against you seventy
times seven?' mildly inquired.
eyes, aud more. Yet-yet-'tis not
that l don't forgive him-I wish him well
but he no longer has any claim, he is
no longer my son, and never mention his
name to me again"
He arose with violent emotion, his cane
trembled in his grasp, and he was hurry
ing away, when gently detained him.
"Hear one word, and ! will never i'm
perfume you again on this subject. l have
seen your son.
Without speaking, he looked at me
strangely-pale, and shaking more and
more-and suffered himself to be led back
to chair.
81 have seen him, and if l knew any
thing of him, Martin is changed creature.
Not poverty only, but realization of his
guilt toward you, and yearning for for
giveness-for better life-has brought
him back. Have we not sinned-have
not-have you not-against our Father,
Brother Lockwood p
"God only knows what a sinner am ="
exclaimed the old man, with his head bow
ed upon his cane.
''And does God stand out when you re-
turn to him, and remind you of your many
offences which he refuses to forgive? or
does he open his merciful arms, and ten
derly receive you back?"
No more! no mOre!" he groaned
aloud. 81 tell you it is all useless. You
only agonize me. My mind is made up.
Gods ways are not our ways. 1 have
done all that can; He will require no
more"
'And you will go home tonight and
pray, Forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive hose who trespass against us /! ,
How will that prayer be answered? @,
dear Saviour! " 1 said, show long before
we shall receive thy divine lessons, not in