The Cannock Chase Examiner. — 1877-05-18 (Cannock, Staffordshire, England)

THOR'S DAUGHTER.  BY MARY HOWITT.  (Continual front last week.)  These gentle words, like the rod of Moses on the rock of Horeb, called forth tears. One after another, they chased each other down his hollow cheeks, and Agnes continued,—' God, as I said, I has not forgotten you : he has a work for you yet to do. He has called you out of your cheerless affliction to a high and holy duty,—to preach to the poor, to touch the heart of the sinner by words of love, to pray by the dying; to be a father to a child more forlorn than an orphan. Is it then for you to cherish hatred and thoughts of vengeance in your soul? to meditate upon that which may lead to deeds of blood? to take upon yourself the authority of God, who says that vengeance is mine. Oh no! yours is a work of love you are to be a disciple of Christ, and to labour in His I spirit. And depend upon it that the betrayer of your daughter will be visited by a pang more severe than even that of a dagger. Remorse and repentance will visit him. But leave all punishment to God. He has called you to a brighter and better mission; that of love and forgiveness.' Jeffkins seated himself on the tree, and bowing his face on his knees and wept bitterly. You have saved ray soul!" at length he said, raising his head whilst a mild expression beamed upon his countenance. I will do thy will, oh Lord!'  'You will pray,' said Agnes, 'that your sins be forgiven you, even as you forgive those who sin  against you:  'So help me God, I will !' returned Jetains.  'You will forgive him who has been worse even than a murderer to you!' said Agnes. 'So help me God,' said he, raising his eyes and his hands to Heaven; and more, even, if that may be!'  Behold him, then!' said she, sinking down upon the tree beside him, and laying her hand on his arm.  Tom Lawford on horseback, as on the former occasion, rode up the dingle, humming a low air to himself. whip.  Jeffkins seemed at once as if deprived of volition. A pallor stole over his countenance; his eyes seemed starting from their sockets; and like a statue, his convulsive breathing alone telling that life was within him, he sate looking at the young man between the tree-branches as he passed. When he was out of sight, a sort of shudder passed over his frame; and, clasping his hands before his face, he sate for some moments in silence, but agonizing communion with his own soul and God.  May the Almighty Father bless you, and strengthen you for His good work and to your own peace!' said Agnes, with deep emotion, and clasped hands, as she stood before him. Jeff kins looked her in the face with an expression of pity,—' It is then a Lawford, as I was told,—one who could have had no thought or willi to make her his wife r and at your prayer, and for your sake, I have forgiven him!' Not for my sake,' replied Agues; 'but for the sake of God, who is the father of us all, and of Jesus Christ, who is our saviour, our friend, and our teacher in all things. I have forgiven him,' again said Jeffkins. 'Hand of mine shall never be raised to injure him, , nor shall my tongue curse him. But,' said he, 'for the sake of virtue, for the sake of ' what womanhood suffered in the person of my poor girl—her downfall and her death—listen not to him! Let him not win your heart as he has won others! May blessed angels watch over you! and, if the prayers of a poor sinner like me may prevent a mischief or a sorrow, they shall be yours night and morning. He turned him about to go; his countenance was mild, but sorrowful; he stood more erect, and trod with a firmer step. He had listened to the voice of God, who had given him a holy vocation, and his whole being was strengthened and ennobled by it.  Again he turned back, and blessed Agues she gave him her blessing in return. They parted, and each slowly took their different woys.