Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-11-02
I'll Never Forgive him.

"Never is a hard word, John,' said the
sweet-faced wife of John Locke, as she looked
up moment from, her sewing.
He is a mean, dastardly coward, and upon
this Holy Bible Il
"Stop, husband John! remember he is
my brother; and by the love you bear NE,
forbear to curse him. He has done you
wrong, I allow, but o! John, he is very young
and very sorry The momentary shame you
felt yesterday, will hardly be wiped out with
curse. II will only ipjure yourself, John.
o. please don'tsay anything dreadful" !"
The sweet faced woman prevailed; that
curse that hung upon the Ssps-eof the angry
man was not uttered but still he said, "Pll
never forgive him-he has done me deadly
wrong"
The young man who had provoked his bit
teruess, humbled aud repeutant sought in
vain for forgiveness from him whom, in q
moment of passion, he had injured almost be-
yond reparation. John Locke steeled his
heart against him.
In his store sat the young village mer-
chant, one pleasant morning, cOntentedly read.
ing the morning paper. A sound OF hurried
footsteps approached, but he took no notice
of it, until hatless boy hurst into the store,
screaming at the top of his voice, "Mr. Locke,
Johnny is in the riyer-little Johnny Locke, ="
To dash down the paper and spring for the
street, was the first impulse of the agonlzed
father. On, on, like maniac, he flew, till
he reached the bank of the river, pallid aud
crazed with anguish. The first sight that
met his eye was little Johnny, lying in the
arms of his mother, who with her hair hang
ing dishSveled aroung her, bent wildly over
her child. The boy was just saved He
breathed, and opening his eyes, smiled faintly
in his mothers face, while she, with chok-
ing voice, thanked God. Another form lay
insensible, stretched near the child. From
his head the dark blood flowed from CHASTITY
wound. The man against whom John Locke
had sworn eternal hatred, had, at the risk OF
his own life, been the savior of the child
He had struck floating piece of driitwoOd
as he came to the surface with the boy, and
death seemed inevitable.
John Locke flung himself down on the
green sward, and bent over the senseless form.
Save him." he cried huskily, to the doctor,
who had been summoned. Restore him to
consciousness, if it be only for one little mo-
ment l have something important to say to
him"
s'He is reyiviDg," replied the doctor.
The wounded man opened his eyes; they
met the anxious glance of the brotherin law
and the pale lips trembled forth, "Do you for
give me !''
Yes, yes; God is witness, as I hope for
mercy hereafter I freely forgive you and, in
turn, ask your forgiveness for my uuchristisn
| conduct %
A feeble pressure of the hand and beam
ing smile were all the answer.
Many days the brave young man lung upon
slender thread of life and neVsr were more
devoted friends than these who hovered over
the sick bed. But u vigorous constitution
trumphcd and, pale and changed, he wa ked
forth once more among the living.
80! if he had died with my uukindness
clouding his soul, never should have dared
to hope for mercy from my Father in Hcaveu!'
said John Locke to his wife, as they sat talk
ing over the solemn event that had threatened
their lives with living trouble. Never
now l have tasted the sweetness of forgive
ness-never again will l cherish revenge or
unkindness toward the erring for there is
new meaning to my soul in the words of our
daily prayer, and l see that l have only been
calling Judgment upon myself while l have
impiously asked Forgive US our trespasses, as
ice torgiUe those ,cho trespass against u.s. y