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.”