The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-11

instruction in the high arts of duty and
beauty. One recently noted was a marvel
of picturesque and decorative neatness.
All over the small roof and the sides
spread bower of morning glories in full
bloom. The sod OF the tiny patch of ground
adjacent was like velvet, and the little
fence around the grass plot was a bright
trellis of morning-glory vines and blossoms.
Three feet square of brick pavement be-
fore the little station was polished TO an
artistic Pompeiian red by the constant and
sturdy use of the broom. On the corner of
the paling stood tin can Of water, and In
all the intervals of business when the old
switch-tender was not sweeping the pave
ment he was washing his hands. Inside
the small building not a speck of dust was
visible; the stove and the chair shone with
polish. The old gray-haired switchman
himself, also, was groomed to nicely In
his rough blue shirt and dark trousers. The
whole establishment was, as the phrase
goes, well set up" and ought to be an
Inspiration in conscientious industry to
every passerby.
If statistics on the subject of violent
language explosion could be collected, 4.
would certainly result in a creditable show
ing of the average
A Profani- mans improvement in
ty Cure. regard to profanity.
I'm my opinion" said
a business man who goes out and about a
good deal, swearing is gradually going
out of fashion. Once in while, when 1 was
real red-hot mad, 1 used TO say bad words,
even at home; but under my wife's influ-
ence. as my little sons began to get big
enough to initiate me, dropped it all. If
my boys swear. they never let me hear
them. I wouldn't stand 1t; it is rough,
wicked and ungentlemanly.
"Out on the river the other day had a
bit Of pleasant human-nature experience
with the old fisherman who went with me.
1 remember now that old Joe used to swear
like a trooper, or a pirate, whichever you
like. While we were out on the water this
time the old chap blessed everything we
came to. He said the blessed old fish
wouldn't bit because the blessed old wind
was blowing So and that he did wish we
would have some blessed rain to make the
| blessed old river rise a little. Also, old Joe
said, he had had a blessed bad cold and
he believed he was getting that blessed old
| hay fever society folks Dragged so much
about. He told me not to row into that
| blessed old snag, for he'd be blest of he
wanted to have to mend any holes in his
blessed old boat. Suddenly I noticed his
| improved language and asked:
"Joe. what makes you say blessed"
so much?
1.-The old fellow looked sheepish and said:
We'll, Capen Che calls everybody captain),
| II
bless gracious, was a sure enough ripper,
wasn't L? There wasn't any sense to it,
either. Swearin' is all pure foolishness.
My old mother is alive yet and she got
| worried about me. She thinks she's goin'
| L die soon, an she says I won't come
where she goes If don't quit swearin', SO
I quit For a long time 1 said blast 1T, y
but I've even quit that. Now 1 say
blessed, an it's just as good bad word
as anybody needs-don't you think SOP
"Of course 1 agreed with old Joe,' con-
cluded the business man, "and 1 recon-
mended his word blessed as a fine substi-
tute for all violent language here, there and
everywhere.
| Enjoyment has its drawbacks, no doubt
/ to keep people reminded that unalloyed
pleasure in life is not what they are here
for.
| The Interrupting eff you want to
Watermelon. lead truly active
| life," remarked a
man who owns a little toy farm
"just try cultivating melons on the
edge of a town. If I were a doctor
should recommend watermelon cultivation
especially in the month of August, as
sure cure for nervous prostration. We lost
about third of our melon crop this sum
mer. but my wife and / are decidedly ths
gamers in general health and activity.
'Our watermelon patch was not far from
the house, and when my wife was at tn,
| farm place in day time, she made 1t lively
for the marauding boys OF the vicinity, anC
at night 1 tried theoretically TO do my dut,
by myself and them. We were sorely tried
the other night. though. To wind UP ou
summer festivities at the country house
we gave a corn roast In the Afternoon
had fixed up q watermelon-sneaker
alarm by winding strong cord around TIL
trees at the edge of the melon patch ant
carrying the cord through holes bored II
the house. At one end / attached a bi,
cow bell and at the other end a hatchet
which would fall off a block IL the core
were lifted. 1t was my idea that TIL
watermelon boys would be along abou
midnight. Well. sir. our household gazette
were just under good Roadway when jingle
jingle went the old cow bell. OF course,
had to rush out on the instant, leavin,
my wife to explain. Sure enough the boy
were in the melons, but on my approach
without dropping their melons, however
as could see in the moonlight, they dashe,
into my cornfield. where could not posi-
bly, find them. 1t is a bad plan to have
cornfeld next to melon patch. 1t make
retreat too artistic
THAT absurd episode was merely on
section of the evenings experience. Ever
ten or fifteen minutes the Ratchet woul,
thud on the floor or the cow bell bange,
against the wall. Our joyous guests entere
into the sport and the girls roasted cor
patch. Men are no match for watermelo
boys. however. and l have no captures t
report.
1.-THE corn roast was great success, an
after watermelon "reminiscences and col
lege songs, we told ghost STORIES"
The casual observer must often hav
noticed, as he goes, the curious affinity ex
istent between small persons and large per
sonal decorations. Fo
One Feminine ex mple, the sma
Ornament. man often wears a hi
scarfpin or carrie