Willy Burke, or, The Irish orphan in America - Digital Repository ...

THE IRISH ORPHAN IN AMERICA. 61
to God for his fault—it is not for you to inflict upon him
so grievous a punishment as this. How know you but
that the solemn scene which here awaits him will effectually
open his eyes to the truth ; and would you, through
a feeling of resentment—*as unkind as it is uncharitable—
withhold from him the benefit of a dying mother's blessing
and her last advice, and deprive that mother her*
self, so justly dear to you, of the comfort of seeing him
before she leaves this world ? for I warn you, that moment
is even now not far distant. No, my son, you will
go on this mission of love and peace, and God will bless
you here and hereafter ; for himself hath assured us, that
the merciful ' shall obtain mercy'."
He was interrupted by the deep, repentant sobs of the
and he had barely concluded when Willy was on his
boy ;
knees before him, his eyes brimful of tears, and his hands
clasped in the attitude of earnest supplication. " Forgive
me, your reverence !" he exclaimed in a half-stifled voice ;
*' I confess myself in the wrong, an' I humbly beg your
pardon".
Father Fitzherbert raised him from the floor.
" Not
my pardon, but that of God—the God who hateth the
proud and revengeful. Ask pardon of Him, my poor
child ! not of an unworthy mortal like unto thyself"'.
" Then I ask God's pardon and yours, sir ; an' I '11 pro-
mise, with the help of God, never to keep spite again.
God forgive me, I was very black against poor Pether
these days past, but now I '11 just run as fast I can, an'
let him know about mother's sickness. I '11 be back, your
reverence, in less than no time !" And ere a word could
be spoken in reply, he was hurrying down the stairs, leaviDg
the priest amazed at the rapid and entire revulsion