Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-08-22

my mother" asked Lowell in half huah
ed tone
mo, no. Yon and John have both
kind hearts. and Il grievcs mc sorely to
see you rs you are now All, Lowell. !
fear YOU do not realizo how noble thing
it is To forgive those who have injured
! you.'
Lowell Slearns made NO reply to his
mother. lie saw that she was unhappy,
aud he knew that he WAS himself nnhnp-
| py also. Ia ormer years he had loved
| his brother, and hc know that he had
been faithfully loved in return. Tho
| trouble that had so unfortunately separa-
ted them. had been trivial in the begin
ming. hut Lowelis steruucss at will, and
Johns hastincss oi temper had kept the
| Gr 0n the increase The first fault b.
longed To the younger brother. but
word 4 explanation at that time. might
have healed il without trouble; now how
ever the affair hal become deep and
dangerous, and there was but one way
To remedy it-that way the aged mother
would point out.
lowell" continued Mrs Stcarns,
speaking in trembling tone. II cn
spend but few days longer on earth.
feel that the sands in my glass have
most all run out but before depart.
hope may see my two boys together in
! love- hope ! may once more see them
bound together in the sweet bonds at
friendship. When you were babes nurs.
ed YOU. and cared for You, and tried to
do mothers duty tried 10 make
you both fit Tor the great We rk. As you
grew older | promised myself II iull
SHARE of happiness in your companion
ship. and naught has come 10 dim the
| iuv ol my widowed heart, till this sad
cloud lowered upon me. love my chill
drcn-I love them both a!ike-and yet
they love not each other. Lowell, my
son, one thing weighs heavily upon me.
Should this thing last Till am dead.
then how will you and John meet by the
side OF my corpse' How will you feel
when YOU come to"
Hush. my mother" multered The
strong man. trembling like Il reed. Say
no more now This evening will speak
TO ou my mind"
John StearnS sm in his easy chaii in
hi, own cosy paIlOr. and about him wci"
his wife and children. Everything that
money could procure toward real com
lorl was his, but YET he WAS not happy.
Amid all his comforts there was one dark
cloud To trouble him. The spot where
ion long years he had nurturcd broth.
cr'S love was now vacant. No, not VA
cant, for il WAS filled with bitterness He
knew hat it was his fault Int he tried To
excuse himself by thiOking that his
brother hated him. This. however. did
not ease his conscience. for he knew that
he MAS lying to himself
! While he sat thus. he heard rap ut
the front door. and in few moments
one Of the children told him. that "un.
clc Lowell wanted to see him"
Tell him 10 come in said john and
after this he made motion Tor his wito
and children To leave the room. 81 'hant
bulge an inch, a." he muttered to himself.
III he thinks TO lrighlcn me, he'll find
his mistake"
Before he could SAY more. his brother
entered the room.
"Good.evcning, John. said Lowell, at
the same time laying his hat on the table.
John Stearns was taken all abark 10y
this address. and be could hardly believe
his ears but he responded hcsitatingly
to the salutation For an instant there
flashed across his mind Il wish that he
had never offended
"John." continued Lowell still stand
ing, ''you well know what has passed to
make us both unhappy
"Yes-I know" answered John, hard
ly knowing what tone 10 assume.
"Well. my brother" continued Lowell.
while tear glistened in his eye, and at
the same time extending his hand. 81
have come to bury the evil that has risen
up between US. If you have wronged
me, freely forgive YOU and if | have
been harsh and unbrolherly to you. | ask
that YOU will forget it. Come let us be
friends once mole"
Like an electric shock came this speech
upon the ears of John Slearns. A mo-
ment he stood hall bcwildered, and then
the tears broke forth from his eyes. He
reached forth his hands. but his words
were broken and indistinct. He had not
expected this from his stern brother, but
it came like heaven sent beam OF light
to his soul, and in moment the brothers
were locked in a warm embrace. When
thew were aroused il was by feeling
trembling hand laid upon their heads.
and when they looked up they found their
aged mother standing by them.
"Bless you. my children, bless yon."
murmured the white haired parent, as
she raised her hands towards heaven.
land o. pray God that yon may never
be unhappy more"
John Stearns knew that his mother had
been the angel who had touched the heat
of his brother. and it did not alter his for
| giyeness.