A MODEL REFORMER.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2444, 18 January 1881, Page 4

A MODEL REFORMER.

The editor of the Accrington Guardian relates the following anecdote of Mr Gladstone, told him by an Accrington gentleman, who had it direct from a member of the Cabinet. In Mr Gladstone’s household at Hawarden was an old-woman servant who had a son inclined to go wrong. The mother remonstrated and advised her boy, but all to no purpose ; he seemed determined on a headlong course to ruin. At last the mother in her desperation caught the idea that if she could persuade the Premier to take him in hand perhaps the prodigal might be reclaimed. “ Screwing her courage to the striking point”—for what will a mother not do for her child ? —she approached her master and in trembling tones preferred her request. Mr Gladstone responded at once, and though the affairs of the greatest kingdom in the world pressed heavily upon him, with genuine simplicity of character he had the lad sent to his study, when he spoke tender words of' advice and remonstrance, and eventually knelt known and prayed a higher Power to help in the work of redemption. This kindly action was effectual, and the lad became a reformed character. Fortunate is the country whose affairs are guided by a man like William Ewart Gladstone.