Year: 1879

had grown reckless after l moved TO
M; that is, fell in with a crowd of pro-
fessed friends, who drank, swore, and cared
nothing for morality in general. At first
held back | had not been used to it, but /
could not Withstand the sneering laugh of
my companions which always greeted me
when l refused to join in any of their wicked
acts, and by degrees became very reckless.
1t makes me shudder even now to think of
it. had never been blessed with sisters
love. / resided with my mother in this vii
lage of about four hundred inhabitants.
Many night when would go reeling home
from the shop at the north end Of the town,
would find my dear mother watching for
her son-listening if perchance she should
catch the sound of his unsteady step. Many
a time did waken from my drunken slum-
ber and hear that fond mother sending up
petition to God in behalf of her intemper-
ate son. Oh what wretch was. knew
that was bringing down her gray hairs in
sorrow to the grave. She began to look
aged and careworn; but kept on in my
sinful ways until a circumstance occurred to
stop me in my downward career.
l was starting out one Christmas Eve
to the grog-shop, when l remembered
that had spent all my money at that place
the evening before. remembered also that
had seen my mother put a few pennies
cher hard earnings) in cup that day.
vas tempted / tried to resist, but my sppe-
tite was too strong. l slipped cautiously to
the cupboard, removed the money from the
cup, deposited it in my pocket, and was
starting from the house, when my mother
entered. did not turn my head for felt
guilty-guilty of what never was before
a theft. My mother called me there was
oan,at hino in har voica which | c0uld not
resist.


"What is it, mother ?" said [.


"Oh, Willie do stay at home with me
tonight" she exclaimed, grasping my hand
in both of hers. "Don't drink tonight
take my advice just once"


Oh how many times since have wished
that had taken her advice that night. But
| consoled her by telling her that would
not stay long wended my way to the
grog-shop; but my mothers words "Oh
Willie, do stay at home with me tonight"
kept ringing in my ears far louder than the
drunken oaths, and for once did not stay
what called late but when reached home
the bells in the neighboring city were tolling
the midnight hour.


A strange feeling seized me as / ap-
preached my home. The light was placed
Ia the window as usual to guide the wan





looked in. There sat my mother in her
easy chair; her eyes were closed and |
thought she slept. Her face was pale, but
it was always that. | tried to chase my
fears away as | went around to the door
my hand trembled when | laid 1t on the
latch, and it thrilled my very heart when it
arose with sharp click. l had never
known such feeling before. entered;
beheld in my mothers hand the very cup
from which had removed the money. I
laid my hand on mothers shoulder and spoke
to her. She moved not l spoke louder
still no answer. listened, but could not
hear her breathe. laid her gently on the
bed, brought water and batEed her white
forehead Reader, imagine my JOY when |
saw that dear mother open her eyes.


"Oh, mother" cried | "forgive me. Oh,
forgive your erring boy"


al do;" was the answer.


A heavenly smile lit up her face.


"Meet me in heaven, Willie"


"By the grace of God, | will"


Aud my mothers spirit had fed to God
who gave it.


1t is not necessary for me TO prolong the
description of the mournful scene. Suffice
it to say that from that moment was
changed man-snatched as brand from the
burning Since that time not one drop OF
whiskey, wine, or anything OF the kind has
passed my lips, and by help and strength
given me from above, never wiil.-Sslsetsd.