The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1867-12-13
CURED IN ONE WEEK.

CURED IN ONE WEEK.
On a certain day in my midsummer
vacation there was to be picnic in the
woods. A place had been cleared foi
dancing in a lovely field near the shore;
a band of music had been engaged from
a neighbouring town, and pleasure
boats provided tor excursions on the
lake. Above all, the pretty little SUI
sannah B had promised to be one
of the party.
But instead of the bright day we an
ticipated the morning arose heavily
cloudcd and rain was soon falling in
torrents. | stood at the window look
ing out upon the dreary prospect.
"D--n this rainy day" said l.
Upon this, my mother, who was about
to take her place at the breakfast table,
where my little sister was already scat
ed, came to my side, and laid her hand
upon my shoulder.
s.That is sad way, James" she said,
.'of commencing new day, by dedica-
ting it to the Evil One."
81 did not mean that, MOTHER" re-
piled; 'but-"
s'Do not yield to your disappointment,
my son. she said, kindly; "the day OF
pleasure will only be postponed, and
this rain was really needed to cool the
air and to refresh vegetation"
We seated ourselves at the breakfast
table, but lowing, perhaps, to the pre-
occupation of my mind) | was careless
lv awkward, and upset a cup OF hot cof-
fee upon my pantaloons.
..D-n that coffee" Iexclaimed
as left the table in disgust.
This was but beginning. Ithad SO
many misfortunes during the day that
when evening had come, ON recalling
NV mothers words concerningits com
mencement, concluded the Evil One
had accepted the dedication.
Rain was still falling, but softly; the
curtains were drawn, and the gas light
ed. AS Iounged upon the sofa-my
little sister playing meanwhile some
sweet airs upon the piano-my mother
came and put note into my hand.-
She took her needlework then and
sewed near me. .
The note was as follows:
"Dear james: Would you like to be
cured of the sad (and to me fearful)
habit of using profanc language-of
venting your displeasure in curse upon
innocent objects? have thought OF
way" n4 e4 gf
remained some time silent, my lit
tie sister still play ling. AT last, drew
an ottoman to my mothers side. 'What
is the way ?' asked.
"Promise me-" she answered, "that
for one week, whenever you, by aeei
dent, fall into your habit of sending the
object of your annoyance to the devil
YOU will consider it as actually sent
and completely removed from your pos
session, or use, during the remainder o
the week.
1t is very hard to refuse my mother
any request, for she had the sweetest
face in the world mot accepting ever
little Susannah b. Accordingly whel
she turned and looked at me in such
fond and good natured way, not dream
ing, am sure, of the great inconvenl
enee to which compliance was aboutt
subject me, | promised.
The next morning 1 commenced.
was indulging in my usual luxury of
cold bath, when | splashed the waite
upon my clothes awaiting me near by
sD--n it," said |.
No sooner had the words escaped m
lips than L asked myself in dismay.
"D--n what? Cold water-col
rain water. Well, have disposed c
one commodity pretty quickly.
wished it had been something else ia
booed for a week. "
modified the matter by ringing fe
warm water. Warm water in July
decidedly fiat. '-
This adventure made ne careful; dun
ing the remainder of the day | dispose
of any few articles Of no serious IN
port. In the evening retired to m
room to arrange my toilet for call VI
on Susannah B.. l succeeded muC
to my satisfaction, when, in an unlucb
moment, having arrived at that dliiieu
climaX-the tie of my cravat-and b
ing justly indignant at this obstina
twist, cried out, more heartily tn,
was my want,
"D-nitp' Fatal world
My cravat was "gone to tho devil
; and no mistake. In vain L taxed II
} Imagination for some graceful substitu
for chat doomed article of dress; inva
! Thistled ''Oh Susannah, +" and pietur
) thu delicious evening should ha