Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-19
For the SPECTATOR.
Forgive our Trespasses. i

Ada Leighton, who ppssessed some
literary requirements, and had attempt
ed to write the history of friendship
which existed between herself and Clar-
ence Woodruff-which had terminated
(perhaps for the best) in the dissolution
of the bonds that had been linked, save
the seal, "for better or worse"-desisted
when she thought of the many injuries
she had received at the hands of those
whom nature would have called friends
of the many cruel blows dealt at her
very heart, to prevent the union of the
"Two souls with but single thought,
Two hearts that beat as one,"
and retired to her lonely apartment to
brood over the wrongs-the bitter,
Indvenged wrongs that called for ven-
geance.
And though it had been two years
since Clarence had married another,
was his heart not hers for did he not
say but a few weeks previous to his mar
riage, that in his heart there glowed the
same ardent attachment for her, and
that it would never be extinguished.
Oh, Clarence! Oh, blessed Summer
days, with fragrant breezes and sweet
sunshine, return!
Tears came to her relief as she thus
solloquized.
Wiping them away she prepared to
disrobe, and kneeling by her couch, she,
in the anguish of her heart, impiored
Divine strength for her day of trial, con-
Guiding with "Qur Father" &c. Slow
ly and reverently she repeated each pe-
tition-''And forgive our trespasses as
we"-a solemn pause succeeded, and she
arose, wondering how she could have
proceeded with this bitterness ranking
in her bosom.
''As qOe forgive thena," mentally re-
peated itself, echoing and re-echoing in
the lnmOst fecesses Of her soul. Trying
to compose her mind she lay down, re-
signing herself to the arms of Sleep
"As aOe forgive them that trespass a0oinst
as,n reverberated more strongly than
before; and again the insulting taunts of
her violent opposers were reiterated un-
til her frame shook with feverish agony.
"T!red natures sweet resterer-balmy sleep,
Gone fora e ght lI ON snfH ds unsulied with tear
Exhausted, at length, she fell asleep.
The subject haunted her dreams.
"For If ye forgive men not their tres
passes, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses''-fell softly on her ears
as she slept. When she awoke, the az.
itation was over. A calm had succeeded
the terrible struggle between good and
evil. Evil had been overcome with
good.
The fiery ordeal refined her spirit
The dross was separated from the gold
She could look back calmly. submissive-
ly upon the cross that brought her nearer
70 God. The language of our Savior on
the cross, became her own-ssFather
forgive them, for they know not what
they do" "'
Her demeanor, which had been char
acterized by sadness, became cheerful.
All noted the change,-some attributed
II to change of scene, but none knew
that she had achieved a victory more
glorious than ever achieved by re-
nowned warrior on the field of battle.
Forgive us our trespasses, as we for
give them that trespass against us. -
could now be repeated without hesita-
ton: She was ready to portray with
ner pen the noble qualities of Clarence; !;
the love that, unmixed with stain of
clay, she cherished for him, and the
duty stern and pressingn that doomed
them to a separation.
When she had finished, nature had
again drawn her sable curtains. and she
IN her quiet apartment was enabled. by
DIVINE help, after reviewing all the a9-
giavatlng circumstances, to say-"For-
glve X our trespasses, as we forgive them
that trespass against us.''
S, E. B.