Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-04-21
An Angry Blow.

Robert Knocked oil Mason'S cap one day
Mason was in an i'll humor, and hashin
into sudden anger, turned upon RobeI
and felled him to the ground with
single blow. The blow was not heavy
but well aimed, and Robert was restin
lightly on one foot. His cap flew off
bis head struck upon the curb-stone
and he lay still--white as death and a
still.
Mason sprang to him--bent over hin
lifted his head. Not a movement
not breath from Robert. Mason scarce
ly breathed, in bis horror at what he hat
done. He felt himself murderer.
Robert 0, speak to me, Robert b,
groaned.
No answer. He gently laid his com
rade's head Upon the pavement and rar
for help.
Robert was not dead. He soon breath
ed-opened his cyes-but be was fear,
fully hurt. A pain in bis head almos
maddened him, and nothing could AFFORD
bin relief. 1t was 10 vain the the phys
ician applied his skill, that bis mother
tried her gentlest arts to sooth him.
His friends watched in an agony of dread
Would the end be death, or the loss o.
reason? Mason was suffering more thar
Robert.
AT last the result came-5Rndness.-
Robert left his chamber totally blind
never again the light of day to greet bis
vision, never again the face of his moth
er, the smile Of bis friend. A heavy
shadow lay upon his life ask the blind
who have once seen, who know the beau
ty of the joy of vision, ho0 heavy
Could never see again never any thing
no gay, glad show, no glory of prospect
Never.
And all in consequence of the little
act-that toss Of the cap-tbat angry
blow in retort. Great God, have pity
on us, and guide and restrain Us when
we know so little what we do!
Mason met Robert on the street when
he first walked out after his blindness
Alas, poor Mason He would rather
have been blind himself than see those
flmy eyes, that absent, introverted look
that uncertain, staggering gait--his ,oork
the work of his temper--a hot, hasty,
sinful temper, that had well nigh made
him a msn-slayer, stained him with a
felon stain Of blood.
He stopped and spoke to Robert, took
bis hand in his and held it tremblingly,
his own clear aud beautiful blue eyes
growing | m 0 ; as fImy as Roberts
while be spoke.
You forgive me, Robert, but cannot
forgive myself. o, if I had only hurt
myself instead of your
Don't speak of it again, Mason don't
think of itp
How can l help thinking of it? shall
think of it every day and hour of my
life
why will you? 1t will do no good.
You did not mean 10 injure me-
'But 1 did ipjure you, and terribly,
too. l shall never forgive myself
And, Robert, shall do all can for you.
I shall do my best to make up for the
injury I have done you
Il don't hold it against you, Mason, and
am very sorry you feel so about it,
Il hold it against myself; l must
This was right in Mason. We are
not commanded to forgive ourselves, but
our debtors, those who have trespassed
against us, not ourselves for trespass-
ng. He deserves this self-reproacb, the
everest of punishments, but not too So.
7ere. What else could have made him
curb that strong, fiery temper, dangerous
aud deadly 1t had done fendish work
enough.
He did not mean to- Didn't mean
o? He did it, and he could left it un-
lone. He was responsible. We can
control ourselves. God has given us the
'ower. We kno'o it, we feel it, we will
lot admit that we are machines-ships
without helms-weeds on the wave
Gathers on the wind. We are not. Let
10 one say aught OF the strength of his
'asslon in excuse or palliaaon of bis sin.
Has he no will? Has he no conscience I?
Passion is only sail, and will and con-
cience are rudder and seamen TO control
md take in sail. Reproach yourself
Mason! I! punish yourself, for you spoiled
! life, blasted it in its young beauty and
rope! And ye who like him carry him
| hidden fire in your own nature, a vol
'anic heat only just beneath the surface.