Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-10-16

the rough places.
Hit got ter be song ter we-uns'.
Go slow over the rough places, Caleb
1t seemed ter fit ever thing, an finally
we-uns TUX it ez sort O. watchword ter
steer by.
Their never war hitch or bender,
but my ole nanny useter say, 20 slow
over the rough places, Caleb, meanin'
me or the ole man ez war both name
Caleb. | kin shet my eyes an heear
her now: Go slow over the rough
she ever give me; left it ter me ter live
by-a 'watchword' she named it.
An when | heeard how you-uns
war a-gallopin' over mighty rough
place in the road, jest buckled the
saddle on ter ole Bald, an rid over ter
Bar Cove ter give We my ole mammy's
watchword."
s The old preacher paused; his voice
was serious and Impressive as he went
on, EGO slow over the rough places,
brother, efye hev keer fur the skin
Nv yer legs, an the meal-bag, an the
cider jug, go slow An eff We hev a
keeT fur yer own safety an the good o.
the world go slow, go mighty slow over
the rough places Take ole Parson
Prater's watchword along with you;
veil fin it a good word an a helpful
enc ter live BY"
striking full into his furrowed young
face, and that other light creeping close
into his heart, smoothing from it all the
burrows of doubt and care.
sit air good word" he said, cam it
air safe word. Parson Prater's watch
word air sartinlv safe word.''
He went tack to finish the filling of
the chip basket, and when after while
he stood under the withered hop vines.
he saw the parsons horse suddenly
brought from brisk canter to slow,
careful walk.
tParson Prater hev retched the
rough place." he said, and then he
went in to muse and ponder upon the
new lesson he had learned.
He sat before the fire until late,
thinking over the sermon he had pre-
pared for the morrow. cit air pep
perry" he said, lit sartinly air pep
perry" Busy with his own thoughts he
logs fell apart into a mass of white
ashes 81 be fool" he said, bitterly,
"a plumb fool. hev been a-gallopin'
over rocks big enough ter build a
mount'n ez high ez Bon Air hitse'f. l
be tool, a fool ter hev done it,
Christmas Day in Bear Cove was fair
enough, and but for the excitement oc-
casioned by the prospect of the par
sons fiery sermon, would, in all proba-
bility, have been dull enough.
Under the cliffs great columns of ice
rose like crystal pillars aglow with the
reflected radiance OF the sun. On
bluffs fringed with crystals, crown of
dainty wintergreen Haunted its crimson
berries in the very face of winter.
Where the remnants of the last snowfall
lay aboutin some kind of a Christmas
revel. known onlv to themselves.
beauties of creation as he rode down
the lane toward the little log meeting
house, where his coming was anxiously
awaited. There was hush when he
entered. A hush, more of curiosity,
perhaps than respect.
Old ST Larkins sat stiff and staring
just in front Of the tall pulpit. His
brows were contracted, and half sheer
was perceptible upon his face when the
parson entered. But when the very
young man with the very old, care.
worn face arose behind the pulpit, and
began the hymn, the old mans fierce
ness vanished.
Where was all the ''game" that had
been reported? This was no "fghting
upstart," but a modest man of God.
ST Larkins thought with self-scorn of
the bundle of switches hidden away in
the wild plum thicket, that were to
mete out Vengeance for that days SER
mon.
Sermon? There wasn't any sermon;
only calm little talk about life, its
duties and its dangers.
$50 slow Go slow over the
rough places" was the burden of the
discourse that rang a friendly warning
to the hot-hearted people travelling
life's uncertain highway. AS he tossed
the watchword to them. the burden Of
anger and doubt and sorrow rolled from
his own heart, and he stood before
them once more with soul above the
petty worries of life. They caught his
meaning and understood, and realized
the mad gallop they were having. !.
$50 slow over the rough places"
that was to have been as fire and sword
to them.
He had feared for his reputation; for
how could they know it required more
courage for him to stand before them,
and wave the simple olive branch than
would have been required to meet them
in an open hand-to-hand fight. He
thought they must brand him forever as
coward afraid to stand by his boast.
He felt so sure of it, indeed, that he
would have stolen out where his horse
was hitched, and hurried home at once,
but for the invitation to the thicket.
Knowing perfectly what the invita-
ton meant, and caring but little for the
result, he walked calmly out from the
building, and went over to where Pete
Larkins was talking with crowd OF
men. He stepped into the midst OF
them and confronted Pete. Brother,
he said, IT will be here ter accept Nv
yer invertation."
Pete redeemed; the others grinned
and moved away.
1.-The ole man gin the word" said
Pete, ''ez war ter fetch yer long O.
me-"
"Here I be-" was the submissive re-
ply, and Pete led the way to where the
horses were waiting. They mounted
their horses, and as Pete, still leading,
turned into the big road toward ST Lar
kins' house, and away from the thicket,
the preacher checked his horse.
Brother" he said, ''the thicket air ter
tho loft -