The picture of him was the only treasure
left to the poor broken heart, when heaven had taken his wife from
him, soon afterwards--and in the gloom and misanthropy these tortures
inflicted upon him, this alone had been his light and solace.
Retaining for the boy his old pet name of Anne, he had cried in
presence of the picture, and been hardened in spite of all, against
Providence. In the blind convulsions of his passionate regret, he had
even uttered blasphemy, and scouted anything like trust in God; and
here now was that merciful God leading his child back to him, and
pardoning all his sin of unbelief, and enmity, and hatred; and saying
to him, in words of marvellous sweetness and goodness, "Poor soured
spirit, henceforth worship and trust in me!"
Yes! his son Arthur, so long wept and mourned, had come to him
again--was there before him, kneeling at his feet!
And with his arms around the boy, the rugged man bent down and wept,
and uttered in his heart a prayer for pardon.
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