The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-11-06

I'll never forgive him-never =" "Never
is hard word, john" said the sweet-faced
wife Of John Locke, as she looked up a mo-
ment from her sewing.
HE is mean, dastardly coward, and
upon this Holy Bible L"
"Stop, husband. John remember he is
my brother; and by the love your bear me,
iorbear to curse him. He has done you
wrong, | allow, but o John, he is very
young and very sorry. The ,'momentary
shame you felt yesterday, will hardly be
wiped out with q curse. 1t will only injure
yourself, John. o! please don't say any
thing dreadful"
The sweet-iaced woman prevailed; that
curse that hung upon the lips Of the angry
man was not spoken; but still be said, s'T'll
never forgive him-he has done me deadly
wrong"
The young man who had provoked his
bitterness, humbled and repentant sought in
vain for forgiveness from him whom, in a
moment OF passion, he tad injured almost
beyond reparation. John Locke steeled his
heart against him.
In his store sat the young village mer-
chant, one morning, contentedly reading the
morning paper. A sound of hurried foot
steps approached; but he took no notice of
1t, until hstless boy burst into the store,
screaming at the top Of bis voice, "Mr.
Locke, Johnny is in the river, little Johnny
Locke"
To dash down the paper, and spring for
the street, was the first impulse of the
agonized father. On, on, like maniac he
few, till be reached the bank Of the river,
pallid and crazed with anguish. The first
sight that met his eyes was little Johnny,
lying IN the arms Of his mother, who, with
her hair hanging disbeveled around her,
bent wildly over her child. The boy was
Just saved. He breathed, and opening his
eyes, smiled family in his mothers face;
while she, with . choking voice, thanke1
God. Another form lay insensible; stretched
near the child. From his head the dark
blood flowed from a 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 q boating piece Of driftwood 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 huskuy to the
doctor, who had been summoned. Restore
him to consciousness, IL it be only for one
little moment; | have something important
to say to him"
"He Is reviving," replied the doctor.
The wounded man opened his eyes; they
met the anxious glance of the brother-in-
law, and the pale lips trembled forth, "Do
you forgive me ?"
yes, yes; God is witness, as hope for
mercy hereafter; freely forgive you, and in
turn ask your forgiveness for any unchrs
tisn conduct -
A feeble pressure Of the hand ard a
beaming smile were all the answer.
Many days the brave young man nung on
slender thread of life; and never were
more devoted friends than those Who how
cred over the sick. bed. But q vigorous
constitution triumphed, and, pale and
changed, he walked forth, once more among
the living.
"Ol if he had died with my unkindness
cloud'ng his soul, never should have dared
to hope for mercy from my father in Hea-
ven VI said John Locke to his wife, a. thew
sat talking over the solemn event that had
threatened their lives with living trouble.
"Never-now | have tasted the sweetness
OF torglvsness-never again will | cherish
revenge or unkindness toward the erring;
for there is new meaning to my soul in the
words OF our daily prayer, and I see that
have only been calling judgment upon nv
SELF while have impiously asked, Forgive
US our trespasses, As we forgive those who
| trespaSs against u.s.