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Entered according to Act of Congress, in June, 1867, by J. W. Burke & Cos., in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the So. District of Georgia. Vol. I. Written for Burke’s Weekly. “FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES.” ELL, I could never have believed it of him. and 1 shall have nothing more to do with him.” “But remember, George, }’Ou have heard only one ||L side of the story. Give Frank an Vj o, "v opportunity to explain, before you condemn him.” “He never can explain it satisfactorily. Remember how I have trusted him and defended him against the attacks of oth ers, and now to be treated in this shame ful manner is too bad.” The speaker was a fine-looking boy of fourteen, who stood leaning against a tree, while his companion, with book in hand, replied to his ill-tempered remarks, and tried to pacify him. George Howland and Albert Anderson were pupils at Mr. B ’s school, in the beautiful Southern city of S . They Avere of about the same age, and bosom friends. Frank Wilder, the lad who had incurred George’s displeasure, was a fel low pupil, of the same age, who came from a distant town, and for whom George had formed a strong friendship. Frank, though in the main a good boy, had some traits of character which were not calcu lated to make him popular among Jfiis companions. His manner was haughty, and his disposition overbearing. The child of rich parents, he had evidently been petted and spoiled at home, and had not yet been taught the severe lesson that he was not to all the world what he had been to the loved and loving ones at home. George was one of the first acquaint ances Frank made after he came to S , and an intimacy and friendship were term ed, which had grown and strengthened until the time when our story opens. MACON, GA., JUNE 13, 1868. George had often been called on to defend his friend’s character from the attacks of those who deemed themselves slighted and insulted by the supercilious manner of the proud bojq but his friendship had known no diminution, nor had he ever allowed himself to think illy of his friend. But on the day on which wc introduce them to our readers, an incident had oc curred which was likely to disturb their friendship, if it did not destroy it for ever. On the Saturday morning in question, an election had been held for President of one of the societies connected with the school. Frank and George were members of this society, and one of the candidates Edward Wilson was an intimate friend of the latter, but had been so un fortunate as to incur the enmity of the former by not yielding in every instance to his opinion. The opposing candidate Samuel Jones —had, on the contrary, by fawning upon Frank, so won his good opinion that he became his active parti zan, and openly advocated his election. He was, as usual, overbearing in his man ner of electioneering, and could not toler ate opposition. On the morning of the election, he had approached his friend, George Howland, and insisted that he too should support Jones, and when George declined to do so, and attempted to arguo the matter with him, he grew quite an gry, and after some insulting Avords turn ed and left him. This, though most ungracious conduct, George could have overlooked, but after the election of Wilson, and the defeat of Jones, Frank, in the presence of a crowd of boys, made George the subject ol some very outrageous language, which was re ported to the latter, and had aroused his indignation. How, there is no denying that George Howland had been very badly treated. He had been the steadfast friend of Frank Wilder, “through evil and through good report;” had stood up for him single handed, against almost the entire school, and had, by acting as peace-maker, got ten him out of more than one difficulty; so that Frank’s conduct was marked by the basest ingratitude. And,then, George had a perfect right to support his candi date without justly incurring the anger of any one. And, therefore, Frank was not onl} 7 ungrateful, but intolerant. But, admitting all this, was George justifiable in denouncing Frank, without at least an effort to win him back to a sense of rea son and justice? I think not. George professed to be a Christian —to follow the teachings of Him who said: “Forgive us our trespasses, as ice forgive those who trespass against us;” who commanded His disciples to forgive their enemies “seventy time seven” times; and yet we find him refusing to forgive the first offence of his schoolmate. But, says a little reader, was it George’s No. 50