He was convicted of manslaughter, served his term in prison, then went back to his farm and worked hard and well for ten years.

One spring that former crime began to weigh on his mind.

He brooded on it and finally became convinced that he had committed the sin for which there can be no forgiveness.

He wanted desperately to atone for what he had done, and the idea got possession of his mind that since he had taken a human life the only way for him was to take his own life--a life for a life.

The next morning they found that he had hanged himself in his barn.
"The young minister who was asked to officiate at the funeral declined to do so on doctrinal grounds; and the burial was about to take place without even a prayer at the grave when a stranger hurriedly approached.
He was a celebrated divine who had heard the circumstances of the man's death and who had journeyed a hundred miles to offer his services at the burial.
"'My good friends,' the stranger began, 'I have come to rectify a great mistake.