, 1876-12-15

ITO a proud spirit, making an acknowl-
clement of being in the wrong is
harder than the greatest sacrifice. In
Jaad some would rather submit to any
otber humiliation than to frankly avow
Urong motives or opinions; the task is
st;ll greater to confess having injured
others. The desire to retain ones self
respect is so natural, that, like a child,
n,any cover their eyes with their hands,
md not seeing their faults, imagine
thew are hidden from the gaze of others
as we'll; and to remove their hands
T,onld be to discover their vain delu-
sion. Yet the greater the effort required
10 nerform worthy action, the more
respect we should show to the candid
and honorable avowal of wrong. Yet
too often we see the reverse of this.
Two brothers lived at their fathers
house in harmony until they arrived at
manhood; but some contending inter
asts caused such disagreement that
both left their early home, declaring
eternal enmity and hatred toward each
other. Years passed, and both were
successful in business and apparently
happy; but do haunting memories shun
the palace of the wealthy
One pleasant Winter morning, when
Broadway was thronged with the gayest
people, and eager footsteps beat lighter
for the sunshine; Frightening the busy
tboroughfare, an aristocratic looking old
gentleman entered building, and, as
eending flight of stairs, entered an
Office: enduring for the head of the
6rm. he was admitted to the private Of
fee. where he saw the gentleman he
sought before the desk, writing With
ont waiting to be announced, he ad-
dressed him and asked if he were recog-
nized. Taken by surprise, the other
answered.
II beg pardon, sir; I do not recOg-
nize you.
ave we're playfellows when boys; you
must know who am"
"Indeed," was the answer, given with
some surprise, 81 am not yet enlight-
ened; you will have to relieve my per-
plexity."
Here is my card, then," replied his
eccentric visitor, handing him one.
With painful interest the first speaker
saw that the sight of his name seemed
to transfix the other; so, waiting in vain
for some acknowledgement of his pres
ence, he began, in q tremulous voice.
Brother. have you no word of well
come? Will you not forgive the past
A tide Of tender memories have kept
thronging to my brain, until 1 thought
my heart would never cease to ache un-
less took your hand in mine, and
called you brother. Will you forgive
as you are forgiven"
Tears stood in the naughty listeners
eyes as his brother spoke, but, by a
mighty effort, he quenched his bitter
emotions, and, rising from his seat, an
swered in cold, measured tones
"Sir, it is useless-your coming here
to-day. You might have spared me this
scene. Do you know that my word
once given shall never be broken
Truly, you do well to refer me to child
hood-the only tender chord you have
the power to touch; but even those
sweet scenes q innocence around our
mothers knee cannot awaken brother's
love within my heart. 1 beg pardon
for not treating you with more courtesy,
and hope this may be our last interview,
for fear that another time may forget
my title to gentleman still more. Good
day."
With bowed head the forgiving brother
heard the last cruel words, and then,
saying trembling Farewell" he de-
parted, sadly.
Does not this story show how much
better it is to break bad resolve than
to keen it? For the sinned against to-
day may be the sinner tomorrow, and
one to whom apologies are made now
may, before long, find his own share OF
human weakness plainly apparent and
calling.