A worthy old colored woman in the city of New York was one day
walking along the street on some errand to a neighboring store, with
her tobacco-pipe in her mouth, quietly smoking. A sailor, rendered
mischievous by liquor, came down the street, and when opposite Phillis,
crowded her aside, and with a wave of his hand knocked her pipe out of
her mouth. He then halted to hear her fret at his trick, and to enjoy
a laugh at her. But what was his astonishment when she meekly picked
up the pieces of her broken pipe, without the least resentment in her
manner, and giving him a look of mingled sorrow, kindness, and pity,
said: "God forgive my son, as I do." It touched a tender part of the
young sailor's heart; he felt ashamed and repented; the tears started
in his eyes. He confessed his error, and thrusting both hands into his
two full pockets of change, forced her to take the handfuls of money,
saying: "God bless you, kind mother, I'll never do so again."