Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-09-05

ment! to think that he whom / cast off,
is now, in all probability, able TO
laugh at my fall in the midst of his
growing prosperity. But think you he
would do it? Think you my William,
who was once my JOY and pride, would
have the heart to triumph over me in
my miseryP"
''No. he would not" said deep.
earnest voice behind me, which made
me start
On looking around, / saw the strang-
err l had admitted approaching the bed
side. As the light fell upon his brow,
/ beheld it was dark with agony, and
there was a tear glistening in his eye.
''Who spokeP what voice was that"
demanded the invalid, turning on his
pillow.
made way for the stranger, and he
drew near the bed. He bent over the
form of the old man, and their eyes
met.
1T was / who spoke" said the
stranger, in hurried, husky tones; sit
was my voice"
The old man stared at him wildly.
"And who are you!" he demanded.
"Do you not know meP" murmured
the other. 80 God! that it should
come to this-that l am forgotten by
my father!"
William! my son William" sobbed
the invalid-"Oh, my lnjured my
noble and forgiving boy"
The old mans voice was choked by
sobs, as with his feeble arms he drew
his son more closely to his bosom.
turned away to dash aside the tears
xybi oh n mn inn u
sight; and when looked again, near a
minute after, beheld the father and
son still locked in each others arms.
AS contemplated that silent, heart
felt embrace, | felt my eyes fill again
and my bosom heave with sympathy.
''Oh, my SOM murmured the inva-
lid, at length, "what good angel has
brought you hither? | am no longer
what once was, but humble, mis-
cradle wretch. Adversely has taught
me deep and holy lesson; and it is
now with Joy, and not with pain, that l
ask you TO forgive me-
Father! fathern' interrupted the
young man. in voice OF agony, speak
not of the past! Let us forgive
and forget! Both OF us may have
been in fault, but the days OF our
eSLrdnSemenJare past nOWi we are ldJn-
er and son once morem
"God bless you oh, my child" MUIR
INJURED the old man. "God bless you'll"
Il am come, " resumed William, Ito
repay the debt OF gratitude l owe to
you"
1.-The debt OF gratitude"
Eyes; for what does not son owe to
his father-especially to such father
as you were once to me? My mother
was taken away when was young and
Hetty but an infant; but you filled her
place. You educated me-you did
everything I'm your power TO make me
happy. Now l am come to repay the
debt as freely. l have a dear happy
home in New York, TO which l will re-
move you and Hetty, as soon as you
are able to leave your bed. Till then,
/ will see that you are made comforta-
BILE here. Oh, / thank heaven for put
ting 1t into my heart to come back to
Boston and search you outr'
The old man strove to reply to these
words OF Kindness, but could not speak
for sobbing. He wept like a child.
My situation during this interview
was painful. 1t was a relief to hear
footsteps ascending the stairs, and to
see little Hetty enter the moment
after.
Seeing two strangers in the room
with her father she started back sur
prised, for she was far from recogniz-
| ing her brother. The old man saw
her. and called her to his side.
William uttered not a word, but
stood regarding her in silence.
my child" said the old man, "do
you remeber your brother William?n
"Oh, yes" replied the girl, quickly.
IL remember him-he was always so
kind to me. Don't you wish he was
here now, father?"
my child, he is here!" exclaimed
the old man. This is your brother
William"
The girl turned, and when she saw
her brother regarding her tenderly and
kindly. open his arms TO receive her,
she flew TO his bosom and flung her
arms wildly about his neck.
At this moment, my friend, the ply
stefan Hetty had gone for, having fol-
Iowed her almost Immediately, rang at
the door, and | fastened to conduct
him up the stairs.
He gave the sick man encourage
ment OF affording him immediate relief,
and having prepared some medicine for
his use, took his departure.
Thinking it best to leave the new
united family alone, / rose to depart.
The old man and his son thanked me
warmly for the interest had taken in
their affairs, and the little girl, as she
conducted me to the door and babe me
goodnight, bcsought me with tears in
her eyes to visit them again.
That night l went home better
man than when l left few hours be-
fore. The lesson had learned had
peculiar effect upon my mind, teach
ing me, as it did, the folly OF family
pride or the pride OF wealth, and the
divine beauty and sweetness OF forgive
ness.
When I visited the house aoain 1
found coach at the door, and bling
admitted by servant, met little Het-
ty in the hall, dressed ready for a
journey.
The little creature flew to welcome
! mo and fairly went with low