A _Boy_ and his _Mother_.
A _School-Boy_ brought his _Mother_ a Book that he had Stoll’n from One
of his Fellows. She was so far from Correcting him for’t, that she rather
Encourag’d him. As he grew Bigger, he would be still keeping his hand
in Use with somewhat of Greater Value, till he came at last to be Taken
in the Manner, and brought to Justice for’t. His _Mother_ went along
with him to the Place of Execution, Where he got leave of the Officers,
to have a Word or Two in Private with her. He put his Mouth to her Ear,
and under Pretext of a Whisper, Bit it Clear off. This Impious Unnatural
Villany turn’d Every Body’s Heart against him More and More. [Well Good
People (says the _Boy_) Here You see Me an Example, both upon the Matter
of Shame and of Punishment; And it is This _Mother_ of mine that has
brought me to’t; for if she had but Whipt me soundly for the Book I stole
when I was a _Boy_, I should never have come to the Gallows for Pilfering
now I’m a _Man_.]
The MORAL.
_We are either Made or Marr’d, in our Education; and Governments, as well
as Private Families, are Concern’d in the Consequences of it._