Maryland free press., 1867-06-06
Jack Sproats Conversion.


Jack Sprout swore terrible oath. In
fact, he swere esite number of oaths,
for he was angry. Itwas nothing wonder
full for Jack Sprout to swear, even in the
presence of his wife, for he was sadly Civ
en- to a habit of profane language. And
yet Jack was good husband; an insul-
gent father; an industrious man; and ac-
commodating n naighbor; and he possessed
many other excellencics of character which
might have made him valuable member
Of society. had it not been for a certain
loose habit which had marked his course
from chillhood. His parents had b, en-
careless and prolane before him: Iii, father
had been tough, rough. customer; so jack
naturally enough came up in the same
track But he WAS good looking, kind
hearted. and genial and social. and so he
had gained for wife one of the very best
maidens Of our town, as we'll as one of the
hamdsomcst.
Master Freddy Sprout, aged five years,
stood by his mothers side, with a sadly
tegrimed and tear-streaked face. and his
story was that Solomon Gorden had whip
ped him Lii sick .a.-i4l.a-L 70 still
bore few slight tokens of the castigation
Two other boys had come home with Mas
ter Freddy, and their testimony corrobo-
rated that which tie sufferer had given.
Freddy, with some of his playmates, had
been throwing stones at Mr.. Gorden's 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 a tiny hand could not have iuflict-
ed much injury on the canine brute, but
Solomon Gordcn loved his dog, and when
he saw what had been done, he caugh.
Master Freddy and gave him thrashing;
for, be it known, Solomon Gorlen was
just such another man as Jack Sprout
-warm-hcarted, generous and ncighbor-
ly; but rough. uncducated, strong -willcd
and impulsive.
Jack Sprout put on his hat an prepared
to sally f.. til. His lips were pale and tight
ly compressed, and the huge muscles in his
arms worked like bundles Of rnpes.
''Dear jack" plead his wife, "don't t
90 out now"
''L"t me alonA, Abby. No man shall
strike child of mine without having a
chance to strike me- I shall 60 and see
Sol. Gorden, and I'll give him such a
licking as he won't forget in hurry !"
Aud Jack closed the sentence with ter
ribEe oath. t
mo. no. J. ck-'lon't 60. What good
will it d.? Wait until you arc more cool!''
'Phaw! Go away Abby. There is
not pow enough on earth to save Sol
Gorlen from drubbing; and I'll give it
to him before the sun goes down."
And as Jack Sprcut louked at that mo-
ment. he gave awful evidence that he was
physically able to make g..ol his word; for
a more magnificent framework of muscle
was not to be fnunl in town.
''Drar Jack" said the wife. taking her
husband by the arm "Oh, do listen to
me for one moment. Freddy is not much
hurt; and he ought not to have thrown
stones at Gnrdon's dog You know both
Solomon and his wise set everything BY
the little ar imal, and he wonld not bark
at the boys if they did not plague him. If
you go an End Garden as you are now
you will only make things worse. Oh, ]
wish you would drop it,"
Jack only shook his head, and smiled
one of those smiles which are terrible up
on the face of an angry man.
ooh, Jack, if you would only try the
effect of kindness upon Solomon! He is
good man at heart -"
Jack interrupted his wife with deci-
sive sneer.
Don't laugh at me. Jack I tell you
it would be better to do 81 than resort to
flows. If you were attacked wolld not
blame you for fighting to protect yourself;
but this is not case that calls for your
strength of muscles.
There is higher and nobler strength
that you can use now
Ohio" uttered Jack, "yoa are preach
ng You are giving me some of your
Sunday School lessons. But | don't want
IN. Yeu may experience religion as much
rs you please; but you mustn't preach
lie stuff tn me-
Jack" spoke the wife, with stern So
emnity. "IIave I been any worse since
began to have an interest in religious
hipgs."