Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1860-03-03
Who Taught You to Swear.

their discomforts, they had one great blessing.
The youthful driver was very cheerful, and
seemed intent on making his passengers as
much so as lay in his power Many weary
mile over wretchod roads was beguilcd by his
merry whistle, or lively song the rains pour-
ed, the horses Jagged, but heard above the
winds was the carrocd air of " Home Sweet
Home" or the bird like whistle Of Z" Blue
eyed Mary Oh, it is such Joy to sec an
other satisfied and happy in his lot and at his
toll 1t makes the lowly look up in hope and
the lofty look down in humanity J; it makes
the millionaire, honor his driver or his foot
man.
Now that is the bright side of our young
stagc-driycr; why must there be two sides to
everything? Before the party halted, after
&C first day sjourney, the jaGodhorscs thought
they had gone as far as profitable and it was
pressed on. Our hero on the box coaxcd,
whistled patted, and at last whipped them,
but still they dragged heavily on; when at last,
losing all patience, the pleasant sounds that
had chcorcd the insiders were chauged-,
There did not seem to be passion in his tones,
but having tried all other motives to speed,
! the driver now began to swear, as if profani-
| ty could impol a worn out horse. "God,"
and Jesus" that "dcarcst of all names
above" were repeated with shocking. fire.
quency and care!cssncss Some of the pas
sengers were UnmoScd, but others could say
with the prophet, "Thc reproaches of them
that reproached Thee, fell on me-"
Among the passengers was an aged minis
ter. lie said nothing at the time, but when
! they stopped for the night he made himself
quite familiar with the young driver, asking
| him questions about his business and his hor-
ses, manifesting an interest in all that he
! found interested 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" said he, +" I'm very fond of the com
pany of young men" This familiarity and
condescension completely won the heart of
would be John and IN the kindcst manner
| ne gave all the information in his powerto the
old gentleman.
." You're minister, are your" he asked,
after little while.
F" Yes, my friend lama Baptist minister" 4"
" y Baptist minister, arc you - he cried
"why my mothers Baptist; and when
get home I'll tell her about you;" and strong
ilial love bcancd in his eye. .t
!" Then your mothers Baptist; is she II
good woman ~ asked the old man.
=" Indeed she is sir" replied the affection
ate son; Z" [ owe her everything. / don't
know single thing which she did not teach
me-"
2" Are you sure of that my yourg friend p"
Yea, 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 far frIm
her all day. So she taughtme at home till
| vvn plpUn1 fron, fhnrn. nl tI,o,, 4
-old enough to go to work Yes, sir, i will
tell tito her credit; she taught me all know
"Did she teach you to swear, my son %
cried the old gentleman in stcntorian voice,
and clapping his hand heavily on the divers
shoulder, "Tell me, did your mother teach
you to swear? ?" The youth looked thunder
struck. He colored deeply and hung his head
in silence.
"Come my son, said the minister, "you
have told me that your mother was a Baptist
want to know whether she is the right kind
OF IA Baptist or not; did she toach you to
swearYE =,
The young driver looked up. There was
none of that doggcd insolcnce which we some
times see in persons who have been justly pro-
| Yokcd; no look OF defiance, winch said pidiu
as words could say, I" i can swear if i please,
I'm my own mastcrs and it is not your bust
ness who taught me to it," No. even in his
sin he showed the gentle touches of that hum
BILE mothers moulding hand
Pm mortified, sir" he said, that you
heard me swear last night to my horses 1
was very tired, and very yious to reach H."
"And did your horses feel the oath more
than the whip, my friend? we inside could
not discover that they were at all Influenced
by it, said tho minister.
| 4" Of course not, sir. Aud as TO my moth.
or teaching me to swear, she docs not know
! that ever took profane word on my lips. -
hope she never will know it, for / believe
it would break her heart / know as well
as any Minister can teach ME- that swearing
I is low and wicked, as wen as useless prac,
tice but I've. been thrown intoa good deal of
bad company in my business, and have fallen
| into the habit, hardly knowing when 1 do it,
1 forget when | lose my patience"
DO you forget when at home with your
| aNeyerj her presence forbids it. could
not swear in her heaTing.%@ ~
sc And yet you can 10 so in the hearing
of the Godyouibsrl., Of Sbe Saviour who died
for youH replied the old man. /" God for.
8iye the !, child Of a praying mother for such
| ~ ] declarey With His help, that YOU
have 'ar'i my last oath 2 said theyonng man
| deeply moved y y g., :. ..Fe,
"WhenI left my daughter 9 house,, said
the Minister, 4she put d noble great loaf Of