Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-07-10
JACK SPROUTS CONVERSION.

Jack Sprout swore a terrible oath. Ia
fact, he swore quite a number of oatlrs. for
he was very angry. 1t was nothing wonder
tu tor Jack SprOut to swear, even in the
presence Of his wife, for he was sadly given
10 the hablte of using profane language.
Ana yet Jack was good husband, an in
dulgent father, an honest, industrious man,
au accommodating neighbor, and he possess
e1 many other eXcellences of character
which might have made him valuable
member OF society, had it not been for GER
tam loose habits which had marked his
course from childhood. His parents had
been careless and protane before him; his
father had been rough, tough customer. so
Jack, naturally enough, came up in the
same track. But he was good looking, and
kind hearted, genial and social, and so he
had gained for wife one of the very best
madiens OF our town, as well as one of the
handsoniest.
Master Freddy Sprout, aged five years.
stood by his mothers SIDE with sadlv be-
grinied and tear-streaked face, and his story
was that Solomon Gordon had whipped him
with stick, and the boys legs still bore
few slight tokens of the castigation. Two
other eoys had come home with Master
Freddy, and their testimony curroborated
That which the sufferer had given. Freddy.
with some OF his pla7mates, had been throw
lng stones at Mr.. Gordon dog. and one of
the missiles hurled by Freddy had hit the
animal and caused him to howl with pain.
OF course the stone thrown by such tinv
hand, could not have inflicted much injury
upon tie canine brute but Solomon Cor
G"n lcved his dog, and when he saw what
had been done ne caught Master Freddy and
gave him thrashing; for, be it known,
SDiptpnr
as Jack Sprout-warm- hearted, generous.
and neighbcrly; but rough. uneducated |
strong wiied. and impulsive.
Jack Sprout put on his hat and prepared
10 sally forth. His lips were pale and tight |
ly oppressed, and the huge muscles in his |
arms worked like bundles of ropes.
Dear Jack, pleaded his wife, don't
20 out now
Let me alone, Abby. No man shall |
strike child ef mine without having a |
chance TO strike me. | shall go and see Sol.
i,''rdon, ani LII give him such licking as
ne won forget in hurry And Jack
eo>cI his sentence with terrible oath.
-, No. no, Jack-elOn't go. What good
VIII II do? u ait until you are more cooll"
P>haw Go away, Abby. There is not
power enough on earth to save Sol. Gordon
rom am drubbing, and III give it to him be-
lore the sun goes down. -
And as Jack Sprout looked at that mo-
Ient he gave awful evidence that he was
physically able to make good his word; for
more magnificent structure of framework
ana muscle was not TO be found in the town.
Dear Jack, said his wife, taking her
husband by the arm, do listen to me one
moment. Freddy is not much hurt, and he
gught not to have thrown stones at Gordon S
cog You know both Solomon and his
vie set every thing by the little animal,
Sa9 Sl9S he would not bark at the boys if they
q Gld not plague him. If you go and find
uoTdon as you are now, it will only make
u Iake matters worse. Oh, | wish you would {
Jack only shook his head, and smiled one
q Vhose smiles which are terrible upon the
'aCe .so Of an angry man.
|; ~ Jack, if you only try the effect of
a.Ilness :. | upon Solomonl He is a good man
Jack interrupted his wife with derisive
IN Don't laugh at me, Jack. | tell you it t
'Il gm oe better to do so than to resort to t
n IIio"s. II you were attacked [ should not l
blame ysu for fighting to protect yourself !
Du' ~. TINS Is not case that calls for your I
s.{ength aa{gt of muscle There is higher and t
4'oer 06r strength that you can use now c
w. oh! uttered Jack, ''you are preaching. t
IIu ~ are giving me some of your Sunday q
,.n ,.nooi lessons. But don't want EN-. You
,1a experience religion as much as you {
70 NE. ~" io' pieaon Tue stun
y. Jack, spoke the wife with stern solem- |
ll.'!' have | been any the worse since [ s
sSl S4 70 take an interest in religious things?"
uTT,o' Abhy-you was good always !" Il
,o, 1nen why will you not listen to me2 IF |
yUt nDt, VIII stay with me now-if you will wait /
,.sl, In your anger is cooIed-and then go and y
''s'1 kindly to Solomon Gordon, give you 4