Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-01-09
NO. 10
Pious Persuasion With The Rascal.

A cultured and refined mother in n
Maine city has scapegrace son whom she
has striyen in every way to reform. He
persists, however, in absenting himself
from home on periodic sprees, and at such
times his mother is in continual parox-
ysm OF terror, imagining that all sorts of
calamities viii befall him. He securely
hides himself in low haunts, and his poor
mother can never gain the slightest know
ledge of his whereabouts. The suspense is
torture.
During one of his recent lapses the fami-
ly pastor called, and in the course of con-
versarion suggested that thief be set to
catch thief, that also a denizen of the
slums might be procured to search out and
! bring home the son. Accordingly, in
some unknown manner, chap, typical
rough was collared, and on promise of
.sswag' was induced to visit the lady for
instructions Oh, yes. he ''knew the young
feller, re know, and he would jump on his
coat collar and yank him back to his
downy nest; see I"
/ ne tLt bON Cd Oub oAiO APAoA-
ingly said ooh, sir, you must use your
Intelligence"
(He didn't look as though he had any,
"Yis, mum. OH use 'um."
In voice ..,,..nest unintellisihle from
| sobs she continued: h'"' that ysa
eometo lift him mr. ou4 4 the rnire Of doubt.
That he must shake his sins and take
courage of conviction. Tell my son there
is One who will succor, appeal to him, pre-
vail upon him to break from his demon
foes. Will you do this faithfully
eyer bet your life I will. mum, if
break every bone in de cove's carcass, "
growled the rough, with fierce yehe-
mence that startled the weeping mother.
Then he tipped his hat over one eye, bent
his elbows and swagged down the wall
with such display of turbulence that hel
heart was assailed with misgivings.
, Just after the clock struck 8 that eve
ming the lady was summoned to the door
by a fierce ringing at the bell. As the
door opened, in marched her big Irish
messenger, dragging the limp figure Of
, her son. The mother uttered scream of
, dismay Wasn't he q spectacle for gods and
q menf Both eyes were closed, his cheek
was gashed, bloody chasm showed where
/, front tooth had been, his hat was gone
: his coat was ripped up the back and ont
sleeve had utterly disappeared. Complete
decentralization appeared in his entire
8 aspect
= Heres the young fule, num-" huskily
: said his escort. 'I told him phwat yel
said, but the young rascal wouldn't let mi
!. TUX him peaceably, ard slugged me ey'
and tore me coat, but gin it ter him joos
! as 20 tould me-" And look of pride il
the eye that was intact.
The frantic mother waited for NO ex
. PLANTATION, but paid the fellow and put he
damaged son to bed. AS she sat by hin
the next day and famed that marvelousl.
: mussed-up face, the youth asked, feebll
and reproachfully, "Oh, mother, how coult
n you do itf'
!, "My boy, it was for your good, and you
poor mother was"
! "But mother, how could you send tia
man to abuse me in that wayp
4 'My son!"
d 'sNow, mother. that was cruel in you
d That man came to me, rolled up nj
n sleeves, showed to big fists up in my fac
d and said: 'Doe see them two intill
Il gent3 Them's what yer mudder Gale
}. 'um. and she told me to use 'em. She says
A. says she, till the bye that ye cooni do hir
/. up, and fire him out. That you must stic
10 opp yer fms and take hoorar OF hckin
Is She says We re sun Of gun and sucker
~ and that I'm to peel yer, whale yer, an
a. break your doomed nose.'"
"a Just what his mothers feelings were
ne do not know, but il subsequent events al
to be relied upon, that plug-ugly's argt
of ment was the most salutary temperanc
as lecture that the youth ever received.