To Forgive

To Forgive
Part VIII

CONCLUSION: Angry with his father, over the death of his dog, Dan ran away from home. After running away from home, Dan meets President Abraham Lincoln by the side of the road. The President offers the boy unlimited entrance to the White House. Upon his return home, Dan finds that his beloved brother Will is scheduled for execution because he was caught sleeping on guard duty.
Standing by the window, Lincoln, looked around in surprise at the noise of Dan Ripley's entry. Recognizing his walking partner, He motioned to the door boy who had one irate hand on Dan's shoulder, to withdraw. "Why Dan, I am so glad to see you so soon. You are just in time to back me up. Let me introduce you to General Scanlon."
Dan looked into the amazed and angry eyes of a Union general who practically ignoring the boy went on to say, "Mr. President, may I repeat that unless these men are made an example an example of, the army itself may be in danger. Mercy to these twenty-four means cruelty to near a million."
The President knew that the general spoke the truth. Looking gravely at Dan, he said, "Did you go home, sonny?"
Dan nodded his head in assent.

"Then I shall keep my half of the bargain.xxxx General, this boy and I both had a problem last night, deciding whether it was best to forgive. We decided it was best to do as the Bible says and forgive to seventy times seven." Turning , he said, "Dan, how did your folks take it?"
Dan spoke quickly. "It would ‘a killed them if I had run off for good. They just got word that Will is to be shot for sleeping on duty. I just know that he was tired out—he didn't go to sleep on purpose—I know he didn't."
Lincoln groaned audibly and turned away to the window for a moment. The general snorted. Facing the general again, his sunken eyes glistening with tears, Abraham Lincoln said, "I agreed for twenty-four lives," but I won't mind throwing in an extra one." This time it was the general's turn to groan. "Stoddard," added the President "Will you see if there is a Will Ripley on file?"
The secretary left the room. Lincoln turned abruptly to the General "You have heard me," he said. "I do not plan to change my mind. If I pardon these deserters, it surely becomes a much better investment for the United States than if I had them shot. There are too many weeping widows now. Do not ask me to add to that number. For I won't do it."

It was rare that Lincoln was so stirred. There was a strange silence. Then the secretary entered. His face was grave. "Yes, Sir, he said there is a Will Ripley who is to be executed tomorrow, for sleeping on duty. The case was buried in the files, I should have brought it to you earlier."
" Better for the case to be buried than the boy," said the President. "Give me the paper Stoddard."
"Then you will," said Dan trembling with joy.
"We will do this boy no good by shooting him," Lincoln said as his pen traced on the paper, "Will Ripley is not to be shot until further orders from me."
"Oh Thank you!" said Dan, "Can I bring Mother in to see you?"
Dan's mother looked at the paper. She was confused. "Is this a pardon?" she finally said.
"Madam, if your boy never looks on death until there is an order from me. He will live a lot longer than anyone else."