Year: 1863

think what a perfect fool l have been
what disgrace to myself-what shame
to my folks, who, l suppose, won't OWL
me again, fool that ami"


He gnashed his teeth together, with ar
expression of remorse and convulsive pair
which drew me nearer to him than cOulC
get before. Hardened villainy repels us
but the moment the sinner softens, the
moment penitence appears, our sympathies
flow out to him all the deeper and more
impulsive for the barrier of guilt which has
kept us from him hitherto, but which We
now feel breaking away.


60, Martini" said 1, ''is this indeed
you ?-the boy I used to watch with such
interest as you grew up, hoping such great
and good things of you O, Martin, where
have you been?"


Pity and tender affection gushed from
my heart, and prevented him from taking
offence at anything might say. And
went on, picturing to him the promise Of
his boyhOOd, the love and expectation OF
bis friends, the noble and happy life he
might have led, and the darkly contrast
ing career of vice and wretchedness to
which his career had been abandoned


His staggering defiance was all gone,
and fears of anguish and contrition ran
down his sun-burnt cheeks.


"Iknow it all III knowiit all !" he said,
with sitting sobs. 81 have thought of my
home until my heart yearns as if it would
break. But don't care to 90 there. !
can't bear to have my sisters see me So
it would kill my mother! And my father
will never forgive met"


"YOur father is an excellent kind man. >
l said.


81 know that, but he is stern, and when
his mind is made up, it is like melting
granite to move him. l wrote to him q
few weeks ago telling him 1 was willing
to come back. Here is the answer"


Martin took letter from a pocket of
his tattered coat and gave it to me to read.


In hand that trembled with emotion
in words that seemed all alive with the
grief OF a broken-hearted father, yet stern
as that fathers iron will-the old man had
responded to his sons appeal.


Instead of money he sent him reproaches
for the past and counsel for the future.
Instead of inviting him home with a low
ing welcome, he reminded him of the
many and earnest warnings with which he
endeavored to check his sons ruinous
career.


"You have despised those warnings, u
he said. You have reduced me almost
beggary in my old age 1 have sent you
to school in vain. paid twelve hundred
dollars to keep you out of Jail, when, in a
tit OF drunkenness, you had set fire to
Squire Ames' house. trusted two thou
sand dollars to you to set you up in busi-
ness, on your solemn pledge of industry
and fidelity. have paid for the carriages
you have broken and for horses you have
ruined by over-driving. How have 1 been
rewarded for all this! What encourage
ment have now to send you money in
your distress? You have forfeited all claims
upon me. Never send or come to me
again for assistance. You have gone will
fully from my heart and home, and your
follies have blocked up the way behind
YOU"


A few words of solemn entreaty that
Martin would by virtuous conduct redeem
the past, concluded the inexOrable fathers
letter.


You see," said the young man, who
had recovered himself while l was reading,
" there doesn't seem to be much chance
for mere there. But something has driv-
en- me back. 1t isn't my poverty alone,
for could have done sometling-or
could have starved; but l was forced to
come-I have begged by the way-and
now what am here for? came through
the woods and across the fields to your
house, for you are the only man 1 dared
to see, and l scarcely dared to see you y


" Have courage!" I said. "The hand
OF Providence is in it. You have been
guided; it was for some wise purpose that
you have been led here All will be well,
l think -


l conducted him, humble and weeping,
like child, to room where he could wash
himself and arrange his dress. gave him
clothes OF my on to put on. Then l sent
a private message to his mother, who lost
no time, but fastened to meet her son.
avoided being present at their interview,
but l could not help hearing the sobs OF
both behind the closet door.


When the sound of weeping had subsid-
ed, knocked and entered.


Mrs. Lockwood came forward to meet
me with extended hands, her face full OF
hope and gratitude.


Il thank you, thank you, for restor-
ing to me my child!" she exclaimed, with
burst of emotion "He's changed
don't you see he's changed? He was ne
yer so humbled, so softened--his heart
never opened to me so before Martin,
my Martin-he is still my son!"


she returned from me to embrace once
more the young man who now sat with his
head upon his knees, weary, crushed in
spirit, heaylng deep sighs from his over
burdened heart.


ga true mother will never deny her
son., l answered. "And, indeed, Martin