Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-03-17
A Mothers Voice.

good lady, living in one OF our large
cities, was passing a drinking saloon one
day, Just as the keeper Of it was turning a
man into the street. He was quite young, but
very pale. His baggard face and wild eye
showed that he had been drinking, and was
far gone on the way to ruin. He was swear
ing dreadfully, and shaking his clenched fist
at the man who had thrust him out Of the
saloon. He was so blinded with passion
that he did not see the lady who stood near
him, till she laid her hand on him and
asked in gentle, loving voice, whats
the matter Z"
The young man started as though heavy
blow had struck him. He turned quickly
round, paler than before, and trembled from
head to foot. He looked at the lady for
moment, and then said: 40, | thought
it was my mothers voice 1t sounded so
strangely like it. But her voice has long
been hushed In death"
"You had mother, then, who loved
you ?" said the lady.
He burst into tears as he said. go, yes ;
| had an aged mother, and she loved her
boy. But since she died everything has
gone against Inc. am lost-lost to every
thing that is good-lost forever"
"No, not lost forever; for God is merci-
full and gracious, and his pitying love can
reach the chief Of Sinners" said the lady in
a low, sweet voice. and her words seemed to
have wonderful effect upon the young man.
As the lady passed on her way the young
man followed her. lie noticed the number
of the house she entered, and wrote down
in his pocket-book the name that was on the
door plate. Then he went on his way with
new thoughts and feelings stirred in his
breast.
Years passed away, and the kind lady had
forgotten all about this incident, when one
day a stranger called at her house, and sent
up his card, asking permission to speak
with her. Wondering who it could be, she
went down to the parlor, and found noble
looking, well.dressed gentleman. He rose
respectfully to meet her, and holding out
his hand, said
pardon me, madam, for this liberty
but have come many miles to thank you
for the great service you rendered me few
years ago." he said in trent ling voice.
al am puzzled to know what you mean
sir" said the lady; for do not remember
to have ever seen you before"
81 have changed so much" said the
young man, that do not wonder you have
forgotten me. But though i only saw
you once, should have known you any
where. And your voice, too, is so much
like-rny mothers"
The moment these last words were spoken
the lady remembered the poor young man tt
whom she had kindly spoken in front of the
drinking saloon, 80 long before. She saw
him weeping and she wept with him.
Presently the gentleman wiped away his
tears, sat down, and told the lady that the
few gentle words she spoke to him on thai
day had been the means of saving him from
ruin, and of making him useful man.
"Those words, Not lost forever followed
me-" he said, wherever went; and it al
ways seemed to Inc like my mothers voice
speaking to me from the grave. l have re
pented of my sins, and resolved to live a
Jesus and my mother would like TO have
me live; and am thankful to say that, by
the grace of God, have been able to resis
temptation and do some good in the world
81 never dreamed there was SO much
power in few kind words" said the lady.
But we know there is. There is grea
power in gentleness And this is goot
reason why we should learn and practice
this lesson of gentleness.-Selected.