People often spoke to the convicts , so it caused no surprise when , on being invited to address them , one of the ladies rose and said she would tell them a little story ; which announcement caused the younger listeners to pack up their ears , and even the older ones to look interested ; for any change in their monotonous life was welcome . The speaker was a middle-aged woman in black , with a sympathetic face , eyes full of compassion , and a voice that seemed to warm the heart , because of certain motherly tones in it . She reminded Dan of Mrs Jo , and he listened intently to every word , feeling that each was meant for him , because by chance , they came at the moment when he needed a softening memory to break up the ice of despair which was blighting all the good impulses of his nature . It was a very simple little story , but it caught the men 's attention at once , being about two soldiers in a hospital during the late war , both badly wounded in the right arm , and both anxious to save these breadwinners and go home unmaimed . One was patient , docile , and cheerfully obeyed orders , even when told that the arm must go . He submitted and after much suffering recovered , grateful for life , though he could fight no more . The other rebelled , would listen to no advice , and having delayed too long , died a lingering death , bitterly regretting his folly when it was too late . ` Now , as all stories should have a little moral , let me tell you mine , ' added the lady , with a smile , as she looked at the row of young men before her , sadly wondering what brought them there . ` This is a hospital for soldiers wounded in life 's battle ; here are sick souls , weak wills , insane passions , blind consciences , all the ills that come from broken laws , bringing their inevitable pain and punishment with them , There is hope and help for every one , for God 's mercy is infinite and man 's charity is great ; but penitence and submission must come before the cure is possible . Pay the forfeit manfully , for it is just ; but from the suffering and shame wring new strength for a nobler life . The scar will remain , but it is better for a man to lose both arms than his soul ; and these hard years , instead of being lost , may be made the most precious of your lives , if they teach you to rule yourselves . O friends , try to outlive the bitter past , to wash the sin away , and begin anew . If not for your own sakes , for that of the dear mothers , wives , and children , who wait and hope so patiently for you . Remember them , and do not let them love and long in vain . And if there be any here so forlorn that they have no friend to care for them , never forget the Father whose arms are always open to receive , forgive , and comfort His prodigal sons , even at the eleventh hour . ' There the little sermon ended ; but the preacher of it felt that her few hearty words had not been uttered in vain , for one boy 's head was down , and several faces wore the softened look which told that a tender memory was touched . Dan was forced to set his lips to keep them steady , and drop his eyes to hide the sudden dew that dimmed them when waiting , hoping friends were spoken of . He was glad to be alone in his cell again , and sat thinking deeply , instead of trying to forget himself in sleep . It seemed as if those words were just what he needed to show him where he stood and how fateful the next few days might be to him . Should he join the ` bad lot ' , and perhaps add another crime to the one already committed , lengthen the sentence already so terrible to bear , deliberately turn his back on all that was good , and mar the future that might yet be redeemed ?
Or should he , like the wiser man in the story , submit , XXXXX the just punishment , try to be better for it ; and though the scar would remain , it might serve as a reminder of a battle not wholly lost , since he had saved his soul though innocence was gone ?
Remember bear forget forgive hope let rebelled remain wore wounded