Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1860-06-05
Who Taught you to Swear,

Many years ago. when there were few rail
roads. a party set out from Southern city fol
weary journey by stagecoach. Amid all the
discou'forts, they had one great blessing Th,
youthful driver was very cheerful, and seemeo
intent on making his passengers much a,
/ lay III has power. Many a weary mile oyei
wre;cired roads was heguiled By has merry
whistle, or lively song: the rains poured, III,
/ horses Jagged but heard above the winds wa
! the carolled air of "Home, Sweet Home" OF
/ he bird-like whistle of Blue-eyed Mary" Oh
Ii is such JOY to see another satisfied and happy
! in his lot and at ms toll! 1t makes the losiy
| look up in hope, and the lofty look down in
humanity; II makes The millionaire honor his
/ driver or his iooiman.
| 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
/ hrst days journey, the jadcd horses thought
! they had gone far as profitable, ana it was
contrary to their senses of right that they were
/ pressed on. Our hero on The box coaxed. whis-
lied. and at last whipped them. but sill they
dragged heavily on; when AT length, losing all
| patience, the pleasant sounds tha; had cheered
the insiders were changed. There die not seem
10 be passion in his tones. but. having tried all
other motives to speed. the driver began 10
swear, "a II profanity could lmpel forward a
worn ont horse-"God," and Jesus that dear
est of all the names above were repeated with
shocking frequency and careessness Some of
.
say with the prophet, Tie reproaches of them
that rc preached Thee, fell on me"
n'5ng ;Ee passengers was an aged minister.
He sand nothing al the time, but when they stop
ped for the night he made himself quite famIl-
lar with the young driver, asked him questions
about his business aud his horses, manifestinC
/ as interest in all that he found Interested him.
When ready 10 start at break of day. he ask
ed permission to SIT on the box that he might
see the country and talk with him, For" said
he. Il m very fond of the compny Of young
men" This familiarity and 'ondescenton COM
pletely wen the heart of would be John; and
il the kindest manner he gave all the iuforma-
tion in his power TO the old man.
Your. q rninister, are you?" he asked, after
a little while.
YES my friend. am Baptist minister"
"a Baptist minister, are you?" he cried, hv
my mohey's a Baptist and when l get home
I'll tell her abou; you" and strong flial love
beamcd in his eve.
Then you mother is a Baptist is she gooi
aco1ndu?' asked the old man.
Iudeed she is, sir" replied the affectionate
son; 4 owe her eyerythIng I don't know a
single thing which she did not teach me-
Are YOU sure OF that, nv young iriend?"
YES sir. for my father died when | was very
small. and left Us poor We we're three g four
miles from a school, and rs ! was her all, sir.
She coulduf trust far from her all day
So she taught me at home till we moved away
Z :
to work. Yes sir. | will tell II 10 her credit;
she taught me all | know
Did size teach go" 10 s'redr. my SOM cred the
old gentleman. IL a stenturan voice, and clap
ping bis hand heavily on the drivers shoulder.
Tell ne did your mother teach you 10 swear
The youth looked thunder-etruck. lie colored
deeply and hung his head in silence.
Come my SON" SAID The minister, "you have
told me your mother was BapsISt; l want To
know whether she is a righ; kind of a Baptist
or not: did she teach 20" to not?"
The Young driver looked up There was none
of tia; dugged insolence which we sometimes
see in persons who have been Justly reproved;
no look of defiance which sad PLAN words
could say-'.I can swear if l please. I'm my
/ own masi er. and II l. not your business who
taught me to do it," No, even in his sin he
showed TIE gentle touches of that humble moth
er's moulding hand.
I'm mortified, sir" he said. chat you heard
me swear last night at my horses, was very
tired. and very anxious to reach l."
..And did your horses feel the oath more than
the whip, my friend2 We inside could not dis
cover that they were at all Influenced by il,
said the minister.
.Of course not sir And as TO nv mother
teaching me to ear, she does not know that
! ever took prolaue word on my lips. ] hope
she will never know II. f,r believe 1t would
break her heart | know well rs any mir
Islet can teach me. that swearing Is low and
wicked as we'll rs useless practice: but I've
been thrown in,o a good deal of bad comPany J
in my business. and have fallen IN the habit
hardly knowing when do 1t. / forget when
lose my patience.
"Do you forget when a, home with your
moher?"
"Never; her presence forbids it. l could not
swear in her hearing
And yet you do so in the hearing OF the
I God Won Insult. of the Savior who died for you,
replied the old man. God forgive the child O
praying mother for such impiety!
/ sir. declare. with His help, that YOU have
/ heard my last oath" said the young man, deep
/ ly moved.
! when l left my daughters house" said the
minister, "she pui noble great loaf of fruit
/ cake IN my trunk " hen part | viii give
/ ii TO YOU for a present for your mother If yor
will promise to tell her how you got 1t and al
/ the particulars of our interview. Confess YOU
sin To her and to God. and that, my son, vii
enable you 10 keep yolr good resolution"