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and art now determined to do better.
Hast thou any friends?’
He replied, ‘I have a mother; a poor hardwork-ing woman, who sells fruit and candies in the streets.
If you will give me a start, I will try to lead an honest life henceforth; for I want to be a comfort and support to her. I have no other friend in the world, and nobody to help me. When I left prison, I was advised to come to you. I am a shoemaker; and if I had money to buy a set of tools, I would work at my trade, and take care of my mother.’
Necessary tools were procured for him, and he seemed very grateful; saying it was the first time in his life that he had found any one willing to help him to be honest, when he came out of prison.
Great doubts were entertained of the success of this case; because the man had been so many times convicted.
But he occasionally called at the office, and always appeared sober and respectable.
A few months after his first introduction, he sent Friend Hopper a letter from Oswego, enclosing seven dollars for his mother.
He immediately delivered it, and returned with a cheerful heart to enter it on his Record; adding, ‘The poor old woman was much pleased that her son remembered her, and said she believed he was now going to do well.’
After that, C. R. frequently sent five or ten dollars to his mother, through the same channel, and
Boston, J. P. Jewett and Company; Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington; London; Low and Company, 1854.
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