To Forgive
Part IV
Dan, running away from home, meets President Abraham Lincoln, while sleeping
at the side of the road. Dan is unaware of the fact that the man, he is talking
to, is the President of the United States. Suddenly, the realization begins
to dawn on him.
" Honestly, Dan. But sometimes they don't like it when I do meddle.
There is a case now. Last night I pretty near had twenty four men shot."
"Whew!"
"But I hadn't quite decided, and that is the reason I came out here to
God's own woods. And I am glad I came, for you helped me to decide."
"I have!" said Dan, astonished, "to shoot them?"
"No! Not to. You showed me the case in a new light. Here you are deserting
home, deserting your father, bringing sorrow to your mother, who have sorrowed
enough with Will in danger and all. You are punishing your father because
he did one deed which he couldn't well have helped, as if he had been a mean
man all his life. And it is like that with the deserters. They have served
years, faithfully. Then can any one thing they do be so gross, so enormously
bad as to blot out all the rest, including probably a lifetime of decent living?
I think not. Is a man to blame for having a pair of legs that play coward
once? I'll make a bargain with you, Sonny.
If you will go home and forgive your father, I'll go home and forgive my
deserters."
The shaken boy looked in the cavernous eyes of the tall man who had been speaking
and murmured, "It is hard to forgive."
"Someday you will find it hard not to forgive," said the great man
putting out his great palm for the boy to take it.
Something of last night's horror when he could not say that prayer and something
of the melting gentleness of the new friend touched the boy.
He took Lincoln's hand, saying, "All right that is a go."
"Yes I suppose a go home," said Lincoln. "I suppose I will
have to turn, now."
"Where is your home?" asked the boy. Knowing the truth; yet wanting
to hear it from the mouth of this great man.
To be continued
"The White House," said Lincoln simply.
"Then you are the President?" said Dan, his eyes opening with wonder.
"And your servant, never forget that," said Lincoln enjoying the
boys wonder. You have helped me in a hard hour. Generals or no Generals, I
will spare those men. Anytime I can do anything for you, just drop in.
But—wait—let me give you a latchkey." Lincoln took
a card from his pocket and wrote, "Please admit Dan Ripley on demand. A. Lincoln."
"How's that?"
"Thank you," said Dan proudly." I reckon I shoud'a guessed
it was you, but those stories that you told me kind ‘o put me off."
"That's sometimes why I tell them," Lincoln smiled." It's not
a bad morning's work—twenty-four people's lives have beensaved before
breakfast, Dan. You and I ought to eat a comfortable meal. Good-by, Sonny"
And so they parted. The man strode back the way thay had come. The boy stood
looking, looking and then swiftly wheeled and sped. He had been talking to
the president of the United States, to Mr. Abraham Lincoln, himself. He had
heard words like he had never heard before. "You have been a big help
to me in this hard hour..." The words trod in his brain. He ran eagerly
towards the very home he had been so eager to leave only a few hours before.
There was forgiveness in his heart, and there was also a warm pride. He had
been praised by Abraham Lincoln. He would remember this day for the rest of
his life.
Breathless, his eyes bright in anticipation of telling his tale, Dan leaped
the fences, ran up to the back door, and plunged into the house. The kitchen
was quiet. A misgiving ran over him. Were they all out in search because of
him? Would he have to postpone his triumph?
In the dining room a half eaten meal cooled on the table.