The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-16

her low words. was to clasp his hands
und say-"Amcn," as if somebody had
asked 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
gerry happy. Uncle Josh united with
the church, and was no disgrace to his
profession. save and except in one thing
he would swear! Nainly did dcacons,
brethren and pastor assail him with
pleading eyes: vainly did he himself re-
pent, and strive and watch, 1.-The stump
of dagon remained, and was not to be
easily uprooted At length Parson
Pitcher. being greatly scandalized at
Josh's explosives used unluclsily in "a
somewhat excited meeting on church
business for in prayer meetings he
never answered any calls to rise, lest
) ha bit 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 hocing corn manfully.
Good day, Mr.. Crane," said the old
gentleman
Good day. Parson Pitcher, good day.
ID hot day, Sir" answered uncon-
scious Josh.
Not SO hot as hell for swearersr'
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.
20 Lord said he. ''there it goes
| ~,
it! If l don't keep goin Parson
Pritchard. what shall dew? 1t swears
of itself. am clean beat trying TO head
it off. con no. no. mean confuse
it all. I'm such an old hand at The
wheel. sir
Luckily for JOSH the parsons risiblcs
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
abjcct state of pcnitencc and humility:
and as the parson emerged like Il full
moon from the leafy currants he felt
more charitahly disposed toward Josh
than he had done before.
lit is Il very bad thing Mr.. Crane"
he said: lit scundaizes the church
members. and think YOU should take
measures To break up the habit
What upon arth shall | do. sir ~
piteously asked Josh. it is the d-dcst
plague. OH. swan to man I've done it
agin.'
And here. with a long howl. Josh
threw himself down in the weeds and
kicked out like a half-brohen colt. wish
ing in his soul the earth would hide
him. and trying 10 feel as bad as he
ought TO. for his honest conscience
sturdily refused TO convict him in this
matter. faithful as it was in less sound
ing sins.
! grieve to say that Parson Pitcher
got behind an apple tree. and there
cried. perhaps for he was wiping his
eyes and shaking all over when he
walked off, and Josh. getting up con
siderably in Il state of dust. if not ashes
and Sacli-cloth, looked shcepishly about
for his reprovcr, but he was gone.
Nevertheless. he paid another visit to
Josh the next week. and found hirl in
Il hopeful state.
I've hit ont now. Parson Pitcher.
said he we, without waiting for IA more
usual salutation. Miss Eunice she
helped nc. shes Il master cretur for in
vention | sugar! there! that's it.
When I'm goin' to speak quick
catch up something else that's got the
same letter on the bows. and tell view.
il gocs-'r else it's soinethin. lIalloa!
| see them d-dipper sheep in my corn.
Git aout. git aout! you d-dandeloins.
git aoutr'-herc he scrambled away
| -, e.,
,hc parson. who had quoted his face
and walked in 10 see Mrs Crane, when
Josh came back. dripping and eXclaim
ing, ''Pcppergrass! them is the d
drowndcdest sheep ever sce.''
This new spell of Miss Eunicc's." as
Josh always called his wife. worked
well while it was new: but the unrulv
tongue rclapScd. and meek Mrs. Crane
had grown to look upon il as she would
upon wooden leg. had that been
'osh's nfirmity-with pity and regret
the purcst result Of Il charity which
"endnreth long and l.opeth all things
eminently her ruling trait.
Everything else went on prosperOusly:
the farm paid we'll and Josh laid up
money. but never for himself They
had no children II sore disappointment
to both their kindly hearts. but all the
poor and orphan little ones in the town
seemed TO have Il special claim on their
care and help; nobody ever went away
hungry from .Ioshs door, or unconsoled
from Miss Eunice's 'kceping-room:
everybody loved them both. and in time
people forgot that Josh swore; but he
never did; and keen pain discomfittcd
him whenever he saw child look up
astonished at his oath.
lie had been married about ten years