Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-11-11

falo7 ocinlIis Aaio lSte, OI the mouse
like one distracted.
lro BE cosssshD.
WHO TAUGHT in oA sWEARa
aIsuy geArs asa. 8 IS alssrs sag 9s5s sw
rail roads, party set out from a South
ern city for long, weary journey by
stage coach. Amid all their discomforts
they had one great blessing. The youth
full driver was very cheerful, and seemed
intent on making his passengers as much
SO as lay in his power. Many weary
mile over Wretched roads was beguiIed
by his merry whistle or lively song; the
rains poured, the horses Jagged, but heard
above the winds was the carrolled air of
"Home, Sweet Home" or the bird-like
whistle of "Blue-eyed Mary" Oh, it is
such joy to see another satisfied and hap
py in his lot and with his toll 1t makes
the lowly look up in hope, and the lofty
look down in humilty-it. makes the mil
lionaire honor his driver or his footman
Now that is the bright side Of our young
stage driver; why must there be two sides
to everything? Before the party halted,
after the first days journey, the jaded hor-
ses thought they had gone as far as prof.
table; and it was contrary to their sense of
right that they were pressed on. Our he
TO on the box coaxed, whistled, patted, and
at last whipped them, but still they dragg-
ed heavily on; while at length, losing all
patience, the pleasant sounds that had
cheered the insiders were changed. There
did not seem to be passion in the tones,
but, having tried all other motives to speed,
the driver now began to swear, as if pro-
family could impel forward a worn out
horse. "God' and "Jesus," that dearest
of all the names above" were repeated with
shocking frequency and carelessness-
Some of the passengers were unmoved, but
others could say with the prophet "The
reproaches Of them that reproached Thee,
fell upon me-"
Among the passengers was an aged min
lister. Hesaid nothing at the time, butwhen
they stopped for the night he made him
self quite familiar with the young driver,
asking him questions about his business
and his horses, and manifesting interest in
all that he found interesting to him.
When ready to start at break of day, he
asked permission to sit on the box, that he
might see the country and talk with him;
'for," he said, "Pm very fond Of the COM
pany Of young men, This familiarity and
oondescension completely won the heart of
this would-be-Jehu and in the kindest
manner he gave all information in his pow
er to the old gentleman
''You're minister, are you?" he asked
after little while.
eyes, my friend, am Baptist minis
teri
"a Baptist minister, are 2" he cried;
, "why, my mothers Baptist; and when l
, get home I'll tell her about you;'' and
, strong filial love beamed in his eye
"Then your mother is Baptist-is she
good a0onaoaa 2" asked the old man.
: "Indeed she is, sir" replied the affec-
tionate son; owe her everything; don't
: know a single thing which she did not
teach me-"
care you sure Of that my young friend ?"
+ ayes, sir, for my father died when | was
very small, and left us poor. We were
three or four miles from school, and as
was her all, sir, she couldn't trust me so
I I far from her all day. So she taught me at
q home till we moved away from there and
I then | was old enough to go to work. Yes,
), sir, will tell it to her credit-she taught
> me all I know p
ssDad she teach you to swear, nay SON ?''
: cried the old gentleman in stentorian
q voice, and clapping his hand heavily on the
: drivers shoulder. s'Tell me, did your moth
er teach you to swear % The youth look
ed thunder-struck He colored deeply and
: hung his head in silence.
4 "Come, my son." said the minister, "you
y have told me that your mother was Bap-
: tist; [ want to know whether she is the
q right kind of Baptist; or not-did she
- teach you to saOear 2'
= The young driver now looked up there
: was none of that logged insolence which
we sometimes see in persons who have
!, been Justly reproved no look of defiance
- which said plain as words could say, Il can
" swear if / please, I'm my own master, and
i it is not your business who taught me to dc
OF it, No, even in his sin he showed the
= gentle touches of that humble mother:
y moulding hand.
OF 'Pm mortified, sir" he said, ''that yor
heard me swear last night to my horses.
r. I was very tired and very anxious to reac.
he L.n
Id "And did your horses feel the oath NOR
than the whip, my friend? We, inside
By could not discover that they were at all in
ce fuenced by it." said the minister.
D. "Of course not, sir; and as to my moth
er teaching me to swear, she does not know
or that / ever took profane word on m
an an lips. hope she never will know it; for
or believe it would break her heart. / knoy
w as well as any minister can teach me tha
" swearing is low and wicked, as well a
: useless practice but I've been thrown int
u u a good deal of bad company in my business
"a. "a and have fallen into the habit, hardly know
n :. ing when | do it. l forget when lose m
- patience"
re- @Do you forget when at home with yor
mother?"
'ot, "Never; her presence forbids it. Icoul
ex- not swear in her hearing"
@And yet you can do 50 in the presen,
hat of the God you insult, of the Saviour wi
a