The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1897-03-31

the habit that he had formed during
these years of calculating his monitory
"Slow backP' as his master raised the
club was not to be denied Still, at the
conclusion of each address to the ball,
he uttered the solemn words, then found
himself covered with the most pitiful
confusion at the rebuke which his un-
called for interference had merited. For
stroke or two, putting great restraint
upon himself, he succeeded in keeping
his soul in silence, hut at the next the
inevitable exclamation broke from him
again, to the distraction and despair Of
the sufferer to whom it was addressed.
During the three weeks of his master S
absence several golfers made trial of
"Slowback's' services, for he was an
excellent caddie, saving his single lido
syncrasy, and regarded with certain af-
lection as being somewhat of ''charac-
ter besides. But none could suffer him
long. One after another had to give
him up after being reduced to impo-
tence and despair by his ravenlike
croak. At length his legitimate master
returned, and "Slowback" was a man
again.
A few more years dragged their
length to close, and then the hand of
death fell, this time on no near relative
of his master, but on the master him
self. "Slowback," in a new suit of
mourning, followed him to the grave
and came back, still wearing his appar-
Ell of grief, to sit during the afternoon
on his accustomed bench with the 9TH
er caddies. In the morning he beset
himself to find new engagement. He
was in receipt of small pension from
his late master in recognition of so
many years of faithful service, but the
sum did not suffice to give him indie
pendence. He was soon engaged, for the
links were thronged with players
This time his employer was new
conner, who knew nothing Of "Slow-
backs popularity. He was nearly
stunned with surprise at what he deem
ed the caddie's insolence on his first ut
terance of the inevitable words He said
nothing, however, on the first offense,
but when it was repeated expOstulated
in unmeasured terms. To his surprise,
his rebuke brought "Slowback" to the
verge of tears Then, partly by his op-
ponent and partly by the opponents
caddie, the situation was explained
He found himself able to mingle meas
ure of pity with his wrath, but through
out the round the ejaculation, many
times repeated, in the speakers own
despite, spoiled his intended stroke and
led to the immediate payment of the
caddie and rejection of his further serv-
ices
Several times during the ensuing
weeks did now one and now another,
in ignorance or in pity, engage the un-
fortunate man to carry clubs, but in no
case could his idiosyncrasy be endured
beyond the limits of single round. He
made efforts that were absolutely heroic
to overcome it, swathing the wooden
comforter around his mouth until as
phyxiation threatened him, but through
all the folds of the stuff came, with a
muf1ed righteousness, the hateful ex-
clamation which the man would have
given worlds to have withheld Do
what he would he could not rid himself
Of this damnosa hsereditus, bequeathed
to him, along with his slender pension,
by his departed master. Gradually he
grew to recognize the hopelessness of
his condition and ceased even to seek
employment. He spent his days sitting
dejectedly on the accustomed seat, grow
ing thinner and more gaunt as poverty
w