The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-09-28
How a Man Was Cured Of
Swearing.

They tell a curious story in the Allie
ghanies-somowhat amazing also--of q
dull fellow named Morgan, a miner,
who was greatly addicted to swearing.
He would have made an excellent adj
dition to the celebrated army of Elan
ders or have been n fit companion for
the proverbial sailor. Every thing was
done by priest and laymcn to cure him,
but without avail. lie had other vices
besides, among which were card-play-
ing and drinking. On one occasion he
was in a room in tho tavern with his
companions, engaged in n game of "old
sledgc," and the stakes were considera-
bic. The room was underground, next
to the brewery and very dark, and the
gamblers were obliged to use candles.
The game became very exciting, and
Morgan constantly lost. At every mis-
fortune he rallied and swore until even
his hardened companions 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 de-
fled heaven in language that caused his
listeners to shudder. Finally, having be.
cone exhausted, he rolled over into a
orner and fell into a drunken
sleep. After about ar hour he awoke.
Every thing was in pitchy dark
ness, but he still heard his friends
wrangling over their cards as they con-
tinucd their game. Morgan called to
them and asked how they could play in
the dark and why they had put the can
dies out. They answered in a tone of
establishment: OZARK? why it's no
darker here than it was before you fell
asleep. The candles are still lighted /;
can't you see themP" Morgan sprang
to his feet and shrieked: "No, l can't
see any thing. My God, I am struck
Blind" 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 blasphemcr fell on his
knees and implored them to send for a
Clergyman, which they presently con-
scnted to do. While waiting his arrival
Morgan lay On the Iioor sobbing and
grooming in the most pitiful manner.
When the preacher came he made him
a long discourse on his impiety, but he
declared he would not offer prayer for
the restoration of Morgan's sight
unless he would promise never
to use an oath again. This the
miner, who vas nearly delirious
with terror, eagerly agreed to, and the
minister, pressing his fingers upon the
others eyelid's, affected to 20 through
a secret prayer. lie removed his
fingers and Morgan saw as well as be-
fore the lighted candles, his friends,
and every thing. His gratitude may be
imagined. 1t is hardly necessary to
saythat the whole business was a clever
deception, arranged by his two friends
during his sleep. They simply with
drew the candles, thoroughly d~arkcning
the room, and then waking him with
their loud d~isputing, rs they pretended
to continue their game of cards. The
clergyman, who was a sensible man,
when applied to, readily entered into
the 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 accom-.
plished, for Morgan never swore again
up to the hour of his death, which was
by the inclined railway used in the
mines TO raise the coal. If you go TO
Frostbury and mingle much with the
people you will find their stock of sto.
ries very small, and you will hear this
one, beyond n Doubt Rochester Union