The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-08-31
Forgive Him!

''Forgive him - said Mrs. Stains, "Oh,
William, forgive him I"
The speaker was an aged woman and a
wldo". Her head was white with the frost
of years, and her mild features were deeply
marked by the hand of time. There was IL
tear in her eye, and her face was clouded
with sorrow. She spoke to her son, mid
dle.aged, strong-featured person, whose
countenance betrayed a firm .wlllcd, uubend
ing heart, but yet who appeared an upright,
honorable man.
''Forgive him !" repeated the white
haired widow, as she raised her trembling
hands towards her son. 'He is your bro
thcr-your only brother. On, if you know
your own heart, you will forgive him."
'Never!" spoke William Stains, in a
firm, deep tone. "John has wrongcd me-
deeply wronged me-and l should lie tony
soul were l to forgive him now"
"And have not you wrongcd him q"
asked the widow, lmpressiveiy.
II wronged him2 Howl"
"By withholding from him your love
by treating him harshly, and causing him
to sin," answered his mother, kindly.
''Cease, mother. When you say that
have caused him to sin, you arc mistaken.
He has chosen his own path, and now he
must travel In it,"
"Willam, you are the oldest, aud from
you should come the love that can alone
heal the wound between yourself and
John"
"Liston to me, MOTHER" said the stub
horn man, with a piece of bitterness in his
tone. "John has been unjust to me-he
has been unmaniy aud unkind. lie has in
jured me beyond reparation.'
"No, no, William" interrupted his mo-
tier, mot beyond reparation.'
"Yes, he has injured my feelings by the
most fatal darts of malice and ill-will. Hc
has told falsehoods about me to my friends,
and even assailed my private character. "
''And can you not forgive all thls2" she
asked, tenderly.
''Pcrhaps l might" returned William
Stains, "but, !" he added, in a hoarse tone,
while his frame quivered with deep feeling,
she has done more than that. He has
spoken of my wife, and But will not
tell it all. cahnot forgive him this"
'Forgive him, and be happy. His heart
Is as kind as yours, and he is all generosity
and love to his friends. More than fcscy
years have passed over Johns he0.t' and
during all that time he never spoke one un-
kind word to his poor mothe."
''And did ever speab unkindly to you,
my mother Z" asked William Stains, in a
half hushed voice.
"No, no; you and John have both kind
hearts, and it grieves me sorely to SEQ you
as you are now. All, William, fear that
you do not perceive how noble thing 1t is
to forgive those who have injured YOU"
The man made no reply to his mother.
He saw that she was unhappy, and he knew
that he WAS himself unhappy also. In for
mer years he had loved his brother, and he
knew that he had been faithfully loved in
return. The trouble which had so unfor-
tunately separated them, had boen trivial in
Its beginning; but Williams sternness of
will and Johns hastiness of temper had
kept the fire on the increase. The first
fault had belonged to the younger brother,
but word Of explanation atthe time might
have healed 1t without any trouble; now,
however, the affair had become deep and
dangerous, and there was but one way for
remedy. That way the aged mother would
point out.
"William," continued Mrs. Stains, speak
ing in a trembling tone, II can spend but a
few short days longer on earth. feel that
the sands In my glass have most all run out;
but before l depart hope may meet my
two boys together in lovc-I hope l may
see them once moro bound together in the
sweet bonds of friendship. When you
were babies, I nursed you and cared for
you, and tried to do mothers duty.
tried to make you both fit for the grea
world. AS you grew older promised my
self full share Of happiness in your com.
panionship, and naught has come to dim
the Joy of my widowed heart, till tins sad
cloud lowered upon me, love my child
rem Il love them both alike--and yet they
love not each other. William, my son, one
thing weighs heavily upon mo. Should this
thing last till I am dead, then how will
you and John meet by the side of my
corpse How will you feel when you come
tO----n
.'Hush, my mother!" uttered the stout
man. trembling like reed. ''Say no more
now. This evening will speak to you my
mind"