human
I'm dying, continued the man.
gpt
I don't much care; weren't it fur Hetty there, I'd be rayther glad. I never 'ad a chance since the old master sent me to prison. I'd ha' lived respectable enough ef the old master 'ad bin merciful that time. But once in prison, always in prison fur a friendless chap like me. I never wanted to steal agen, but I jest 'ad to, to keep the life in me. I could get no honest work hanywhere; then at last I took cold, and it settled yere, pointing to his sunken chest,
human
He ain't like to live another twenty-four hours, so the doctor do say,
gpt
No, that's jest it. Yesterday a parson called. I used ter see the jail chaplain, and I never could abide him, but this man, he did speak hup and to the point. He said as it wor a hawful thing to die unforgiven. He said it over and over, until I wor fain to ax him wot I could do to get furgiven, fur he did say it wor an hawful thing to die without having parding.
human
Oh, it must be, it must be!
gpt
I axed him how I could get it from God h'Almighty, and he told me, to tell him, the parson, first of all my whole story, and then he could _adwise_ me; so I hup and telled him heverything, hall about that theft as first tuk me to prison and ruined me, and how 'ard the old master wor, and I telled him another thing too, for he 'ad sech a way, he seemed to draw yer werry 'art out of you. Then he axed me ef I'd furgiven the old master, and I said no, fur he wor real, real 'ard; then he said so solemn-like, 'That's a great, great pity, fur I'm afraid as God can't furgive you, till you furgives.' Arter that he said a few more words, and prayed awhile, and then he went away. I could not sleep hall night, and to-day I called Hetty there, over, and she said as she'd do her werry best to bring either the old master yere, or you miss, and you see you are come; 'tis an awful thing to die without parding, that's why I axed you to come.
human
Yes,
gpt
Please, miss, may a poor dying feller, though he ain't no better nor a common, common thief, may he grip, 'old of yer and?
human
With all my heart.
gpt
There now, it don't seem so werry 'ard. _Lord Jesus, I furgives Mr. Harman._ Now I ha' said it. Wife dear, bring me hover that little box, that as I allers kep' so close.
human
There, miss dear, said Wright, handing it to her,
gpt
I will try and give my father your message, she said.
human
I may not be able at once, but I will try. I am glad you have forgiven him; we all stand in sore, sore need of that, not only from our fellow-men, but much more from our God. Now good-bye, I will come again.
gpt
Ah, but miss dear, I won't be yere fur no coming again, I'll be far away. Hetty knows that, poor, poor, gal! Hetty'll miss me, but only fur that I could be real glad, fur now as I ha' furgiven the old master, I feels real heasy. I ain't nothing better nor a common thief, but fur hall that, I think as Jesus 'ull make a place for me somehow nigh of hisself.
human
And, miss, said Hester,
gpt
I'm real sorry, and so will Dan be when I tell him how bad the old master is.
human
My father is not well; but how do you know?
gpt
Well, miss, I went to the house to-day, a-looking fur you and the servant she told me, she said as there worn't never a hope, as the old master were safe to die.
human
Then maybe I can tell himself hup in heaven as I quite furgives him,