The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-09-28
How Man Was Cured of Swear
ing.

THEY tell a curious story in the Al
leghanieS-sOmewhat amazing also
of dull fellow named Morgan, a
miner, who was greatly addicted to
swearing. He would have made an
excellent addition to the celebrated
army of Flanders, or have been a fit
companion for the proverbial sailor.
Everything was done by priest and
layman to cure him, but without
avail. He had other vices besides,
among which were card-playing and
drinking. On one occasion he was in
Il room in the tavern with his com
panionS, engaged in game of "Old
sledge,' and the stakes were cOnsidera-
bic. The room was underground,
next to the brewery and very dark,
and the gamblers We're obliged to use
candles. The game became very ex-
citing, and Morgan constantly lost.
At every misfortune he rallied and
swOre until even his hardened COM
panions were shocked. AT length he
was entirely "cleaned out" and the
torrent of blasphemy that flowed from
his lips was frightful to listen to.
Falling on his knees he defied heaven
in language that caused his listeners to
shudder. Finally, having become ex-
hausted, he rolled over into corner
and fell into a drunken sleep. After
about an hour he awoke. Everything
was in pitchy darkness, but he still
heard his friends Wrangling over their
cards as they continued their game.
Morgan called out to them and asked
how they could play in the dark, and
why they had put the candles out.
They answered in a tone of astonish-
ment: OZARK? why, it's no darker
here than it was before you fell
asleep. The candles are still lighted;
can't you see them?' Morgan sprang
to his feet and shrieked: "No, I can't
see anything. My God, | am struck
bllndn' They gathered about him in
great excitement, making various
tests to Judge whether he had
really lost his sight, and this
appeared to be the case. The
wretched blasphemer fell on his knees
and implored them to send for
clergyman, which they presently con-
scented to do. While waiting his az
rival Morgan lay on the floor sobbing
and grOaning in the most pitiful man.
ner. When the preacher came he
made him long discourse on his i'm
piety, but he declared he would not
offer prayer for the restoration of
Morgan's sight unless he would prom
Sc never to use an oath again.
This the miner, who was nearly
delirous with terror, eagerly agreed
to, and the minister, pressing his
fingers upon the others eyelids,
affected to go through a secret prayer.
He removed his fingers and Morgan
saw as well as before-the lighted
candles, his friends, and everything.
His gratitude may be imagined. Is is
hardly necessary to say that the whole
business was a clever deception ar
ranged by his two friends during his
sleep. They simply withdrew the
candles, thoroughly darkening the
room, and then waking him with their
loud disputing as they pretended to
continue their game of cards. The
clergyman, who was a sensible man,
when applied to, readily entered into
tie confederacy, believing that the
goodness of the end in view which
was to break Morgan's terrible habit
of blasphemy, fully justified the
means. And that end was perfectly
accomplished, for Morgan never swore
again up to the hour or his death,
which was by the inclined railway
used i'll the mines to raise the coal. If
you go to Frostbury and mingle much
with the people you will find their
stock of stories very small, and you
will hear this one beyond doubt
Dn,Lacfor. y