Year: 1863

an. instant he gazed upon the coffin; then
be started forward, and his eyes fell upon the
face of her who slept there A startling cry
broke from his lips, and convulsively he sank
down at the head of the bier.


Mother mother - he cried, in accents
that thrilled to the very souls of all present,
20, speak to me. Speak to your erring son
1 am your son-your own son-your George
Only one word for HeaTea's sake speak
Dead Q, God, and you did not live TO for
give me- -


The poor man 5 voice was lost IN the most
heart-rendiug sobs, and throwing himself
across the coffin, he cried like child.


The gentle wife and mother for moment
forgot the presence of the dead she only
knew that one in whom her proudest love
was still centered was yet living. She sprang
to the side Of him who wept, and fondiv she
wound her arms about him.


"George-my husband ~ she uttered.
she did forgive you before she died. Her
last words were of you, and the last breath
that left her lips bore to God a prayer for
blessings upon her son. Look up, look up.
George; your wife ard children still live to
spread blessings in your path


George Danforth started to his feet, and
strained his wife and children to bis bosom.
The tears rolled down his cheeks like rain
but his feelings were too big for utterance
Again the sexton laid his hand upon the lid
of the coffin.


Stop stop'' exclaimed the returned
son, as he started from the fond embrace of
his wife, g not yet-not yet ~


Once more he sank upon his knees, and ha
pressed his lips upon the cold brow of his
mothers form. Then he placed one hand
upon the coffin and raised his eyes toward
heaven.


Sainted mother !" he calculated, in a
firm tone, '' if your spirit can still linger near
the scenes of earth, look down upon Your son
and listen to the solemn pledge his heart
sends forth. have been wicked, but | will
be so no more and if the remainder of nv
life can be passed so as to make any atone.
ment for the wrongs l have done, then the
good of the future shall wipe away much of
of the evil of the past. God help me in my res,
olution, and strengthen me in my work Qf
yirtue.'


From every lip present there burst forth a
simultaneous Amen !" and in every heart
there was a love place for the returned pro.
digal. The old clergyman stepped forward,
took him by the hand and led him from the
spot, and IN few msments more, saw the
husband and wife, together with their two
children, enter the pastors comfortable cot.
tage. When they had passed from my sight
| turned toward the inn and wiped the warm
tears from my eyes and cheeks. Many of
those who had stood around the grave went
with me, but no word was spoken upon the
scene that had transpired.


1t was nearly four years afterwards that
again passed through the State of New York
on my way to the lakes. 1t was some few
miles out of the regular course, but still an
irresistible desire led me to the village of
B. | enquired for George Danforth..
He bad gone to Albany he was represen-
tative in the State Legislature 1 saw his
children, and they looked the very embodi-
ment ofpure and unalloyed happiness. Their
day of life seemed all The brighter for the
dark and gloomy night that had preceded it.