The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1908-10-15
The Deciding Vote.

There lives in a Western State q
humble old lady whose interest in
politics is confined to the single fact
that her son was elected a number of
years ago a member of the legisla-
ture, and has several times since
been reelected. What he has actual
ly done in the legislature she does
not know. She has no doubt that
he has done all that q good boy,
grown to be a great man, ought to
have done or could do; and one good
thing, at least, he did to justify her
confidence.
When the legislature assembled in
the autumn of 1906, the son visited
his mother, and chided her good
naturally for not reading the
speeches he had sent her. She had
saved them all, and knew just where
they were; but she confessed that
she had not been able to read them
all, nor TO understand very we'll
what she had read.
But you're going to make a
speech this year that l shall read,
every word" she said
Tell me which one that is, and
I'll be sure to make it," he said.
TITS the one on the anti-saloon
BILL" said she.
"Oh, that one!" he said, somewhat
confusedly.
Yes. I know 1t will be a good
one. My boy, you know what liquor
did for our home years ago. I have
prayed all the years that my son
might grow up to save other boys
from his fathers fate. And this is
your opportunity. I know you will
be true to it,
We'll, mother" replied the son
81 don't know that l have much con.
fidence in these efforts to make meI
good by legislation. You can't very
we'll do more than regulate the
liquor traffic. The attempt to pro
hibit it altogether always fails.
don't know that l can make a speech
in favor of that BILL
But these arguments fell unheed
ed on her ears. She did not take
them seriously. She thought her sol
joking, as was his wont.
"Oh I know you like to tease me,
she said, "but I know you'll vote fol
that bill, and speak for it. And
shall read every word of your speech
and shall pray for you every day
that God will bless that speech ant
make it win the fight"
The son had, indeed, expected tt
speak on the bill, but on the othel
side; and he never had doubted, MOI
had his political friends, which wa.
he would vote. But the weeks wen
by and the fate of the bill hung IL
the balance, and he kept his owl
counsel. 1t was assumed, however
that he would vote against the bill
in the end, and so his silence cause.
no uneasiness to the liquor men.
Il know why you are waiting,
wrote his mother. you are waitin,
to make your great speech when tn,
great fight comes. God bless you
my boy! l am praying for you
How proud l am of you'll"
1t was that letter that put al
uOuDlS dSlUS. wien the lines D6Sal
to tighten and deadlock was threat
ening, he first voted on an amend
ment which forecasted his final act
ion. That vote brought surprise t
the friends of temperance and dis
couragement to the friends of tn
liquor cause.
And when the bill came up on it
third reading, he spoke. He did nc
see the members of the House, Blu
he saw an old woman reading hi
speech through spectacles that re
quired frequent wiping. and it was
speech that carried conviction.
The vote was so close that any G
dozen things might have turned tn
scale; but this is the true story G
the way mother'sprayer and cor
f1dence had their decisive infiuenc
in the making of a law.-Youth
Companion.