Montgomery County sentinel., 1889-02-15

| "uuu NO SuW HeV, Ior OeIOr6 tney nau
reached Philadelphia, he had arranged
that Eban should go out on the first
train, and bring Jim's mother back with
him. She came to his Office, and her
bright, pleasant face and lady like man
ners attracted him at once through her
clothing was not Of the newest style.
When he had explained to her how her
son had probably saved his life at the
risk of his own, and that she had been
sent for to be near him as long as he
needed her, he said:
"Would you tell me, madam some
thing about the flag? do not mean 10
be curious, but the boy has attracted
me, by his bravery, in more ways than
one, and | am anxious to know as much
of him as possible"
1.-THE flag was a messenger, she said
an idea Of his own when | tried TO i'm.
press upon him the fact that he was
young to leave me, and go out into
world full of temptations 7 tried to
show him how instead of being led into
evil by others, he could influence them
for good. 1t was then he suggested the
flag, which was to be flying whenever
his train passed my door, until he had
done something of which he would be
ashamed to tell me- AS can only SEQ
him on Sundays, it is great comfort to
have that constant assurance OF bis
thought, and of his adherence to prin.
ciple with which he started out, for new
or once, in a whole year, have | missed
the flag. My boy is full of life and an
imal spirits, sir, but | believe him to he
thoroughly conscientious"
Mr.. Thompson did not say much after
this, before no took Mrs. Andrews to
her son. They found him resting quiet.
ly, but delighted to see them.
"You see" he said to Mr. Thompson,
shes just the very best mother in all
the world"
"And are you glad TO have her here
Well, | shall send hor back tomorrow
for the other children they shall all be
my guests as long as you are kept hero.
Don't dare TO thank, mo SIR" he added
quickly, us the boy tried to speak. and
then hastily giving some directions to
the nurse and few words to Mrs. An
drews, he left.
Strange to say he could not get jim
out Of his mind all that evening The
boy had set him to thinking as be had
not done for long time. He too had
good mother, but had there been year
in his life when he could have kept a flag
flying as Jim had done? He dreamed
strange dreams that night, and was at
the hospital early tho following day
Jim was alone and pleased to see him.
After few remarks, Mr.. Thompson
questioned him about tho flag, asking
him how he had been thrown so sudden
ly into all kinds of temptation. Had
he never wanted to go off with the other
boys "ou lark"
"Not when it would reflect discredit on
my mother, sir" was The reply.
"What do you mean by that, jim ?"
asked Mr.. Thompson
"You soc, sir, when | first saw some
things. it made mo wonder if other boys
had as good mother as mine. Itdid not
seem to me they could, and right then
and there, sir, made up my mind that
no one should ever have an opportunity
to question that of mo, for with Gods
help would never do any thing to re-
feet discredit on my mother You see,
this city offers help to newsboys, aud
there are plenty Of them who have prin-
ciple enough to stick to the good, bat
they have not all such good mothers as
| to help them. Mine has not always
been 80 poor, sir, but can't remember
the time when she has murmured, or
has not had bright smile and an en-
couraging word for me, and that always
help to boy. | know she has suffered,
but it has not kept her from doing her
duty to hor children, and doing it cheer.
fully and | do not see how | could re-
spect myself if did anything to reflect
discredit on her.
Mr.. Thompson did not speak for a
moment, and when he did, he said slowly:
"Jim, if had begun life as you have.
| should be better man now, and my
mother would have been happier wo-
man during the last few years of her
life. The Lord has brought US together
under peculiar circumstances, perhaps
to make better man of me. At any
rate, | shall profit by what you have
already taught me, and | don't intend
to lose sight Of you in tho future. |
shall look on you as IA young brother.
and to prove my sincerity and to ease
your mind in regard to your mother for
the present; will toll you that in
tend to settle on hor enough to make
her comfortable for life"
Jim looked at him in astonishment.
ut is small thing TO me, jim, and
as your brother | shall claim the right
to help support her"
The tears spraDg quickly into Jim's
eyes as he took one Of his companions
hands in both of his, as he said :
II hope can do it all myself, some
day sir, but now--O sir THE thought
that she need not miss so many things,
is almost more than | can stand for,
sir.--sbc's the best mother that ever
lived"