The record-union., 1891-01-12
PIoUs PERSUASION.
How 1t Worked with Grand Young
Rascal.

A cultured and refincd mother in q
! Maine city has a scapegrace son, whom
She has striven III every way 10 reform.
! He persists, however, IN abSenting him
! self from home on periodic spreas. and on
such times his mother is III a continual
| paroxysnl Of terror, imagining that all
sorts of calamites will befall him. He
securely hides himself III low Haunts, and
| his poor mother can never gain the
slightest knowledge of his whereabouts.
| The suspense is torture.
During one OF his recent lapses the fam
! lily pastor called, and, in the courseof con-
Versation, suggested that thief be sent to
catch thief; that also a denizen OF the
slums might be procured to search out
and bring home the son. Accordingly,
! IL some unknown manner, a chap, a typi-
cal tough, was coTralled, and, on prom
! ise OF ''sWag,' was induced 10 visit the
! lady for instructions. Oh, yes, he knew
| the young fcller, ye know, and ne would
! jump on his coat collar and yank him
| back TO his doWny nest, soe?''
AS the lady bowed him out She inn
ploringly said: "Oh, sir, you must use
| your intelligence
Gle didn't look as though he had any. J
"Yis, mum. Oiiil use 'un.''
! In voice almost uuinteiligibie from
sobs, shc continued: Tell him that You
come TO lift him up from the mire OF
doubt. That lie must shake off MS sins
and take courage OF, conviction. Tell my
| son there is One who viii succor; appeal
| his demon foes. VIII you do this faith
| fully?'
Yer bet yer life l viii, mum, if break
livery bone in de cove's carcass" growled
the rough, with q fierce yehemence that
startled the weeping mother Then ne
/ tipped his hat over one eye, bent his ell
bows and staggered down the walk with
! C11cb n dicr,ia1- f,f +,rrf.. lo.,n
| heart was assailed with misgiyings.
Just after the clock struck s chat even
ing the lady was summoned to the door
! by fierce ringing at the bell. AS the
door opened in walked her big Irish
messenger, dragging the limp f:gdre OF
her son. The mother uttered a scream OF
| dlsmay. Wasn't he a spectacle for gods
and men? Both eyes were closed, his
checks were gashed, a bloody ehasm
| showed where u front tooth had been his
hat was gone, his coat was ripped up the
back, and one sleeve had utterly disap-
/ peared. Complete demoraIization APP
! peared in his entire. aspect.
Here's the young fuie, mum. /" husl1ilv
said his escort. II tould him phwat yer
said, but the young rascal wudden't let
me TUX him peaceably, and slugred me
eye and tore me coat. but l gin il to him
joost as ye tould me-" And look OF
pride glowed III the eye that was intact.
Inc iIdtitiC IiiOtAef WdflSQ Tor 10 eN-
! pianation, but paid the fellow and nut
her damaged son to bed As she sat by
him next day and famed that mar
/ yellously mussed-up face, the youth
asked, feebly and reproachfully, "Oh.
mother, how could you do it?''
My boy, it was for your own good,
and your poor mother was--''
But, mother, how could You send that
man to abuse me III that way?''
| My son!'
Now, mother, that was cruel in YOU.
Ihat man came up to me- rolled up his
sleeves, showed two big fists up in my
face and said: Dye see thin two intilly
gents? Then's what yer mudder called
'um, and she told me to use ''um. She
says, says she, till the bye that ye coon
! do him up, and fire him out That you
must stick opp yer fins and take a hoorar
OF q lickin'. She says yer son OF a gun
and a sucker, and that I'm TO peel Yer,
| whaleyor, and break yer dommed nose. -
| just what ismother's feelings were we
| donot know, but if subsequent events are
TO DC relied upon, that plug -ugly's argu-
inent was the most salutary temperance
lecture that the youth ever received.
There q no tiyn yy-n,,,ar OIL 1,,,-,,,r.., H.