The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-03-11
.ohooI @ lIl one 6ro was burnt low enough

10 rake up
Josh looked I'm at the window as he
brought to in his own phrase. "along
side the schoo us ' and there sat the
lady of his love. knitting a blue stock
ing. with an empty chair most propi,
tiously placed beside her in front of the
Fireplace. Josh's heart rose mp might
ily but he knocked as little q knock as
his great lnucltlcs could effect. was
bidden in and sat himself down on tho
chair in a paroXy5m of bashfulness, no.
wise helped by Miss Eunices dropped
eyes and persistent knitting. So he sat
full fifteen minutes, every now and
then clearing his throat in a vain att
tempt TO introduce the point, till at
length, desperate enough. he made "A
dash into the middle Of things and bub,
bled over with: "Miss Eunice, I've got
religionl I'm sot out for to be a real
pious man; can't you feel to have me
now?"
What Miss Eunice's little trem bling
lips answered, ] cannot say, but / know
it was satisfactory to Josh, for his first
reverent impulse, after he gathered up
her low words, was to clasp his hands
anu I.iN AAiAlNlf do II nulltDOAlN ndQ
asked a blessing; perhaps he felt that
he had received one in Miss Eunice
When spring came, they were mar
ried, and were happy Yankee fashion,
without comment or demonstration. but
very happy. Uncle Josh united with
the church, and was no disgrace to his
profession save and exceptin one thing
he would swear! Vainly did deacons,
brethren and pastor assail him with
pleading eyes; vainly did he himself re-
pent, and strive and watch, "the stump
Of dagon remained" =" and was not to be
easily uprooted. At length Parson
Pitcher, being greatly scandalized at
Josh's eXpletives, used unlucldlv in a
, somewhat excited meeting on church
business ''for in prayer meetings he
never answered any calls to rise, lest
habit should get the better of him and
shock the very sinners he might exhort)
Parson Pitcher himself made pastoral
call at the farm, and found its master
in the garden hoeing corn manfully.
Good day, Mr.. Cranel' said the old
gentleman.
Good day, Parson Pitcher, good dayl
id hot day, sir" answered unoon-
scious Josh.
mot so hot as hell for swearers"
sternly responded the parson, who be-
ing of a family renowned in New Eng
/ land for no way mincing matters, some-
times verged upon profanity himself
though unawares. Josh threw down
his hoe In despair.
80 LordH' said he, "there it goes
again. ] swear. the d-d dogs take
it, If i don't keep a goin'. o Parson
Pritchard, what shall l dew? 1t swears
of itself lam clean beat trying to head
ii of, con no! no! mean confuse
it all! I'm such an old hand at the
wheel, sir!'
luckily for Josh, the parsons risibles
were hardly better in hand than his
own profanity, and it took him now a
long time to pick up his cane, which he
had dropped in the currant bushes
while Josh stood among the cornhills
wiping the sweat off his brow, in an
abiect state of penitence and humility
and as the parson emerged like full
moon from the leafy currants, he fell
more charitably disposed toward JOSH
than he had done before.
1T is a very bad thing, Mr.. Crane,
he said: 1T scandalizes the churcl
members and l think you should tak'
measures to break up the habit"
"What upon arth shall l do, sir?'
piteously asked JOSH lit is the d-des
plague oh! swan to man I've done II