Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-08-12

the NOW, while the family never could
have any eggs for their own use, the
nests being always empty; the great
gray cats tail was singed to barrenness
and her ears shipped, but Uncle Jason
never swore or lost his temper; his
scythe- snath disappeared, but he bor-
rowed another; the grindstone was soaped,
the haycutter broken, hoes and rakes
disappeared when wanted, and reappeared
when useless; his razor was lost and
hopelessly dulled when he found it and a
thousand petty annoyances heaped on
him in vain; he only said to his wife
at does beat all, Phebe, what's got inter
things this week; seems as if | never
was so pestered. 1t amt in human natur
for things to happen so, somebody doin'
ont | sartinly feel to believe; but de-
clare for it can't see into it a mite.
Jack and Dick began to triumph on
ly one day more of the week was availa-
bic, and Jenison was put on his mettlc,
and laid plans accordingly. They had
prayers always before breakfast, and the
weather was so warm and the outer door
open wide this morning, and setting out
Just as his uncle laid down the Bible, un-
der the pretext of soaring an old hen
away, the boy opened little side gate
into the lot where he had previously
driven the old ram, and laying train OF
salt to a big lump on the doorstep, re-
treated speedily to the kitchen and knelt
down next to Mr.. Carter where he had
left his chair. Billy had seen the tin
pan in Jcnison's hand, and knew it
meant salt; he followed the grain surely
to the door, and having begun to nibble
the lump, heard an earnest accustomed
voice near by and looked up into the
kitchen door. Jason was praying earn
estly, and the rest had their eyes closed
and heads bent-all but Jenison; who
was watching Billy from under his arm.
As he saw the ram look in, he picked up
short switch from under his chair, and
held it thrsateningly over his Uncle 5
back, Billy gave one great leap across
the floor, charged Uncle Jason in the rear,
and sent him sprawling.
Damn that RAM he roared in a
voice of thunder.
Jack and Dan sprang up at once,
drove Billy out and shut the door, but
before they could speak their father was
on his knees again, pouring out such
earnest, humble confession of the sin he
had been betrayed into, such fearful
petition for pardon, such heartfelt contri-
ton for a lapse that seemed to him dread
ful, after long years of prayer and-strug-
gle, that, hard and bad as Jenison Wires
was, he could not bear it; it was the
turning point of the boys life; he got
up from his knees and confessed the
whole thing to his uncle, and the other
boys cried heartily.
Jason Carter never forgot that day; 1t
was remembered with humility and
thankfulness both; for years after Jenl-
son told him, with deep feeling, that he
had learned then and there to respect re-
igion, and that is the first step towards
desiring and obtaining it.
Jenison never claimed his bet, but
when he went home gave Dan his knife
for a remembrance; and years after Dca
con Jason Carter was dead and gone, his
step-son recalled with affection, reverence
and amusement mingled, the only oath
they ever heard him speak and how it
was brought about by JeniSon's bet
Rose Terry Cooke IN Sunday afternoon.