PAfiM ECHOES. 65 



a "foreign language, not understood or allowed here." 

 There was some " tall swearing " when I first came 

 here, and I had frequently to draw swords with such 

 offenders, 



On one occasion a teamster in "dumping" a load of 

 stones, savagely ordered them to " the bad place," be- 

 cause one of them struck his foot. I was passing along 

 the road at the time, on my way to that field, but was 

 not seen by the men until I entered it. When the team- 

 ster was ready to discharge his next load of stones, I was 

 on the spot, and greatly astonished him and the other 

 men, by feeling a number of stones, and expressing sur- 

 prise at finding them all " quite cold, and just like other 

 stones." "What does Mr. Starr mean ?" was asked by 

 several. More stones were felt and commented upon in 

 like manner. It was not long before one of the men 

 comprehended my meaning, and enlightened the others. 



"The stones had been sent to and were not hot." 



Having thus secured the attention of all the men, I en- 

 deavored to prove the folly that had been committed. 

 No damage had been done to the stones. They were just 

 as they were before being cursed, but not so the guilty 

 one who cursed them. He could not harm a lifeless 

 stone, but he could and had harmed his ever living soul. 

 Some friendly advice was given and respectfully received. 

 The offender would not promise never again to utter an 

 oath, but he most heartily assured me that he would 

 " try hard never to swear again, '' and it is my belief that 

 he has tried hard enough to succeed. There is a good 

 deal that is manly about him, and he is likely to accom- 

 plish whatever he undertakes. 



