Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-02-26

stronger Than his power OF resistance and he
had yielded. u cannot now he Continued,
prove how deeply your forbearsnce has touch
ed meS time alone can show that 1t has not
been misplaced lie left me to resume his
duties
Days, weeks, and months passed away, dur
ing which | scrutinized his conduct with the
greatest anxiety, whilst at the same time
carefully guarded against any appearance Of
suspicious watchfulness; aud with delight
observed that so far my experiment had sue
oeeded. The greatest regularity and atten-
tion-the utmost devotion to my interest
marked his business habits and this without
display for his quiet and humble department
was from that time remarkable. At length,
finding his conduct invariably masked by the
utmost openness and plain dealing, my conf
dence in him was so far restored, that on a
vacancy occurring in a situation Of greater
trust and increased emolument than the one
he had hitherto filed, placed hun in it and
never had the slightest reason to repent Of
the part had acted toward him. Not only
had | the pleasure Of rejecting tht had, in
all probability, saved fellow creature from
coptinued course of vice and misery, and af-
forded him the opportunity Of becoming re-
spectacle and useful member Of society, but
l
faithful and constant friend. For years he
served me with the greatest fidelity and dovo-
ton. His character for rigid, nay, even scru-
pulous honesty, was so well known, that "as
honest as Smith" became proverb amongst
all his acquaintance.
One morning | missed him from his accus
toned place, and, upon inquiry, learnt that
he was detained at home by indispositon.
Several days elapsed-still he was absent,
and upon calling at his house to inquire after
him, found the family in great distress on
his account. His complaint had proved ty-
plus fever Of malignant kind. From almost
the commencement Of his attack, he had, as
his wife (for he had been sometime ma.ried)
informed me, lain in a state OF total uucon-
sciousnest, from which he had reused only to
the rawlings Of delirum, and that the physician
gave little hope Of his recovery. For some
days he continued in the same state at length
message was brought me, saying that Mr..
Smith wished to see me the messenger adj
ding, that Mrs. Smith hoped | would come as
as soon as possible, for she feared her hus-
band was dying. Immediately obeyed the
summons.
On entering his chamber, found the whole
family assembled to take farewell of him
they 80 tenderly loved. AS soon as he per
ceived me, he motioned for me to approach
him, and taking my hand in both OF his, he
turned toward me bis dying countenance, full
Of gratitude and affection, and said. my dear
master, my best earthly friend, | have sent
for you that may give you the thanks and
blessings OF adying man for all your goodness
TO me. To your generosity and mercy | owe
it, that have lived useful and respected, that
die lamented aud happy. To you owe it
that leave my children a name unsulied by
crime, that in after years the blush Of shame
shall never tinge their cheeks at the memory
Of their father.
% God! he continued, Thou who hast
said, blessed are the merciful,' bless him.
According to the measure he has melted TO
others mete thou unto him. Then turning
to his family, he said MY beloved wife ana
children, entrust you without tear, to the
care Of that heavenly parent who said, Leave
thy fatherless children to me, aud will pre-
serve them alive, and let the widows trust in
me- And you, my dear master will, know,
be to them as you have been to me, guide,
protector, and friend That continued the
kind old man, looking around upon us, with |
glsteniDg eyes, though mixed with sorrow was
one of the happiest moments Of my life. As
stood by the bedside of the dying man, and
looking around upon his children growing up
virtuous, intelligent, and upright, respecting
and honoring as much as they loved their
father when saw his wife, though overcome
with grief for the loss of tender and beloved
husband, yet sorrowing not us one without
hope, but even in that moment of agony de-
irving comfort from the belief that she should
meet him again IN that world where
"Adieus and farewell. arc sound unknown"
when listened to this etyent expression of
gratitude, and saw him calmly awaiting the
inevitable stroke, trusting in the mercy of
God, and at peace with his fellow men, and
when | thought of what the reverse Of this
might have been-crime, misery, disgrace
ful and dishonored life, perhaps shameful
and violent death-had yielded to the fret
impulse of indignation, | felt happiness
which no words can express. We are told
that there ia more Joy amongst the angels OF
God over one sinner that repenteth, than over
ninety and nine just persons that need no re-
pentauce. With such a JOY that we might
imagine theirs, did rejoice over poor Smith,
as | closed his eyes, and heard the attendant
minister in iervent tones exclaim, blessed
are the dead that die in the Lord yea, saith
the spirit, for they rest from their labors, and
their works do follow them"
MY Hlenut, am an olu man. Dullhs
long and eventual career in business. | have
had intercourse with almost every variety of
temper and disposition, and with many de-
grees of talent, but have never found reason
to swerve from the principle with which ! set
out in life, 'to temper justice with mercy
Such was the story of our friend. And
believe not one in that company but returned
home more disposed to judge more leniently
OF the failings of his fellow-creatures, and.
as far as lay in HIS power, to extend to all
who might fall into temptation that mercy
which under similar circumstances he would
wish shown to himself, feeling "tbat it is more
blessed to give than to destroy"
1t may no. be superhuous to remark, that
this narrative describes events Of actual oc
currence.
A German who had ffty dollara in gold in