His Mother

A young Man had been caught in a daring act of theft and
had been condemned to be executed for it. He expressed his
desire to see his Mother, and to speak with her before he
was led to execution, and of course this was granted. When
his Mother came to him he said: ‘I want to whisper to you,’
and when she brought her ear near him, he nearly bit it off.
All the bystanders were horrified, and asked him what he
could mean by such brutal and inhuman conduct. ‘It is to
punish her,’ he said. ‘When I was young I began with stealing
little things, and brought them home to Mother. Instead
of rebuking and punishing me, she laughed and said: ‘It will
not be noticed.’ It is because of her that I am here to-day.’
‘He is right, woman,’ said the Priest; ‘the Lord hath said:
‘Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is
old he will not depart therefrom.’