Then he died quietly , and tomorrow will go home with God 's pardon , since man 's came too late . ' Dan said nothing , but laid his arm across his face and lay quite still . Seeing that the pathetic little message had done its work even better than he hoped , the chaplain went on , unconscious how soothing his paternal voice was to the poor prisoner who longed to ` go home ' , but felt he had forfeited the right . ' I hope you wo n't disappoint this humble friend whose last thought was for you . I know that there is trouble brewing , and fear that you may be tempted to lend a hand on the wrong side . Do n't do it , for the plot will not succeed -- it never does -- and it would be a pity to spoil your record which is fair so far . Keep up your courage , my son , and go out at the year 's end better , not worse , for this hard experience . Remember a grateful woman waits to welcome and thank you if you have no friends of your own ; if you have , do your best for their sake , and let us ask God to help you as He only can . ' Then waiting for no answer the good man prayed heartily , and Dan listened as he never had before ; for the lonely hour , the dying message , the sudden uprising of his better self , made it seem as if some kind angel had come to save and comfort him . After that night there was a change in Dan , though no one knew it but the chaplain ; for to all the rest he was the same silent , stern , unsocial fellow as before , and turning his back on the bad and the good alike , found his only pleasure in the books his friend brought him . Slowly , as the steadfast drop wears away the rock , the patient kindness of this man won Dan 's confidence , and led by him he began to climb out of the Valley of Humiliation towards the mountains , whence , through the clouds , one can catch glimpses of the Celestial City whither all true pilgrims sooner or later turn their wistful eyes and stumbling feet . There were many back-slidings , many struggles with Giant Despair and fiery Apollyon , many heavy hours when life did not seem worth living and Mason 's escape the only hope . But through all , the grasp of a friendly hand , the sound of a brother 's voice , the unquenchable desire to atone for the past by a better future , and win the right to see home again , kept poor Dan to his great task as the old year drew to its end , and the new waited to turn another leaf in the book whose hardest lesson he was learning now . At Christmas he yearned so for Plumfield that he devised a way to send a word of greeting to cheer their anxious hearts , and comfort his own . He wrote to Mary Mason , who lived in another State , asking her to mail the letter he enclosed . In it he merely said he was well and busy , had given up the farm , and had other plans which he would tell later ; would not be home before autumn probably , nor write often , but was all right , and sent love and merry Christmas to everyone . Then he took up his solitary life again , and tried to pay his forfeit manfully . Chapter 13 . NAT 'S NEW YEAR ' I do n't expect to hear from Emil yet , and Nat writes regularly , but where is Dan ? Only two or three postals since he went .
Such an energetic fellow as he is could buy up all the farms in Kansas by this time , ' said Mrs Jo one morning when the mail came in and no card or envelope bore XXXXX 's dashing hand .
Dan Emil Mason Nat Plumfield back-slidings escape night postals right