sit down, he
stood looking at me for some time, occasionally heaving a sigh. I was,
indeed, haggard and forlorn. "Who art thou?" he said at last. "A
miserable man," I replied. "What makes thee miserable?" said the old
man. "A hideous crime," I replied. "I can find no rest; like Cain I
wander here and there." The old man turned pale. "Hast thou taken
another's life?" said he; "if so, I advise thee to surrender thyself to
the magistrate; thou canst do no better; thy doing so will be the best
proof of thy repentance; and though there be no hope for thee in this
world there may be much in the next." "No," said I, "I have never taken
another's life." "What then, another's goods? If so, restore them
sevenfold, if possible: or, if it be not in thy power, and thy conscience
accuse thee, surrender thyself to the magistrate, and make the only
satisfaction thou art able." "I have taken no one's goods," said I. "Of
what art thou guilty, then?" said he. "Art thou a drunkard? a
profligate?" "Alas, no," said I; "I am neither of these; would that I
were no worse."

'Thereupon the old man looked steadfastly at me for some time; then,
after appearing to reflect, he said, "Young man, I have a great desire to
know your name." "What matters it to you what is my name?" said I; "you
know nothing of me." "Perhaps you are mistaken," said the old man,
looking kindly at me; "but at all events tell me your name." I hesitated
a moment, and then told him who I was, whereupon he exclaimed with much
emotion, "I thought so; how wonderful are the ways of Providence. I have
heard of thee, young man, and know thy mother well. Only a month ago,
when upon a journey, I experienced much kindness from her. She was
speaking to me of her lost child, with tears; she told me that you were
one of the best of sons, but that some strange idea appeared to have
occupied your mind. Despair not, my son. If thou hast been afflicted, I
doubt not but that thy affliction will eventually turn out to thy
benefit; I doubt not but that thou wilt be preserved, as an example of
the great mercy of God. I will now kneel down and pray for thee, my
son."

'He knelt down, and prayed long and fervently. I remained standing for
some time; at length I knelt down likewise. I scarcely knew what he was
saying, but when he concluded I said "Amen."

'And when we had risen from our knees, the old man left me for a short
time, and on his return led me into another ro