He soon told his story to
his attentive listener, and informed him of the relationship he bore to
the author of the book he had purchased. As he concluded, he said, 'Oh,
my mother, why did I leave you to become the hopeless being I am?' 'Not
hopeless,' replied his companion in gentle tones. 'You have youth on
your side, and may yet be a useful and happy man. I now understand the
unaccountable interest which I felt in you when meeting you on several
occasions before I spoke to you, and I feel that Providence directed me
in the matter.' The agent stayed two days longer in the city, and then
departed, the young man with him, for with the promptitude of his
nature, to resolve was to act. He directed his course toward Virginia,
the star of hope leading him on, and finally approached his native
village. No words are adequate to describe the meeting between the
lonely widow and her long lost, but now returning and penitent son. When
informed that his father had been for some years dead, the shock to him
was great, overpowering, but he uttered no repining word. 'I could not,'
said he, 'expect the happiness of meeting both my parents again after
causing them so much sorrow, and let me be humbly thankful that it is
allowed me to cheer the declining years of my aged mother.
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