The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1920-09-18
MOTHER MADE HAPPY
BY RETURN Of SON


Mayor Armstrong has received a
letter from the mother of Carl Mansel
the 16 year old boy whom he took
from the blind" on No. 10 Sept. LIST.
which is full of touching gratitude to
the mayor and those citizens who
contributed to the return of her way
ward son.
When Mr. Armstrong spied the lad
beating his way on the train that it
vas plain case of runaway" and
so had the wanderer locked up while
an investigation was being made. A
telegram to the authorities at Mt.
Vernon, ILL.,, brought a request from
the boys mother that he be released
and started on his way home. She
stated that she was a poor widow
woman and had no money to pay the
expense of his return, but that she
was heartbroken by his absence.
Mr.. Armstrong then took a subscrip
ton, secured him new clothes, bought
a ticket to Mt. Vernon and started
him on his homeward journey in
charge of Pullman conductor. A few
days ago he received the following
letter from the boys mother:
Mt Vernon, ILL.,, Sept. 10. 1920
Mr.. Jno. w. Armstrong.
Welsh, Louisiana.
Dear Sir am very happy this
morning for my only child and darling
boy arrived yesterday on the noon
train.
I've been praying now for three
week TO see him coming home and
Thursday at about noon ] looked out
of the door and saw him coming in
run. Oh, | can't express to you my
feelings. This trouble has been nearly
more than | could stand, but certain
ly do thank you and all the citizens of
Welsh that help to send my son to me.
You sure did do me a kindness.
l don't think my darling will do any
thing wrong any more. | believe he
is whipped at his own game and |
have thank you for getting him in
the notion of going to school again.
| believe that was one Of the reasns
he left home, he did not want to go to
school. He came home in big notion
to go to school this winter, so | want
to thank you ever so much for your
kindness and feel sure you did the
right thing in taking him off the train
it has made me very happy, and |
will always remember the citizens OF
Welsh.
Mother and son, both send our love
and best respects to you and Mrs.
and trust if we never meet on earth
we'll meet in Heaven. | just simply
can't tell you how much / do thank
you. The shoes and clothes were
very nice.
Thanking you again, | remain your
friend,
MRS. CORA GARVIN
Those words of gratitude from
mother, whose heart had been torn by
the absence from the family circle of
her only son, brought tears to the
eyes of the stalwart mayor of Welsh,
hardened as he may have become by
close contact with the rough and rug
ged all alongalifes pathway. It's senti-
ment reaching into the depths OF
mother love, should many times re-
ward those who had the opportunity
to contribute to a noble deed.
Before starting him on his home
ward journey mayor Armstrong took
the lad to his home and talked to him
long and earnestly of life's different
pathways and the pitfalls which he
should avoid. It probably was
this advice that led him into desire
to return to school and try to make
the best of his opportunities.
There is lesson in the experiences
of Carl Mansel which it would be we'll
for all boys of his age to study