Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-11-26
NJ | S c L L L A n Y.
THE HEAVY CROSS.


Robert Hope and Samuel lIullins had lived
next door to one another for more than twelve
years, and it is probable that they would have
continued to live in harmony, if Samuel, who
had served under Nelson, had not gained at
Trafalgar a small pension which he had paid
for the loss of one of his legs. Now partly
that leg and the more that pension, were con
stant objects of jealousy for Robert; he blamed
fate for having left him his two legs, and he
complained bitterly to God, because he could
not. as he said, sell his legs at the same price
as Hullis. Every time that he went to pay
his rent, he repeated grumblingy that his neigh
Dor was very happy mani that he was well
able to pay u rent the king gave him such a
good pension.
At first Robert contentcd himself with talk
ing of his grievances to himself; but little by
little his discomfort was expressed more loudly,
and soon it became his habtual and favorite
topic of conversation. One week when he was
behnd-hand with his rent, and as he was going
toward the house of Mr. Taylor to make his ex-
cuses, he met his ncighbor llullins, who was
going regular as clock TO pay his rent. The
very sight Of Samuel had on Robert the effect
of sickness So when he bowed his head in re-
ply to the salutation of lIulins, his face singu-
larly rcsumblod that of bull showing his horns
to a dog On reaching the house of the land
lord, Hope was severely reprmanded and the
example of his neighbor held up to him, al
ways paying regularly and to the last penny.
''Hcs, yes" muttercd Robert, "thcre are some
who are born with their mouth full of money
lIullins is very happy, but am not astonished
that a person can pay regularly when he ha,
such pension as his"
"lIulinS has pension, it is true, replied Nj
| Taylor, "but his infrmity is heavy cross, and
| if YOU were afflicted with it you would complain
! much more"
Not at ALL" replied Hope: "if l had beer
happy enough to lose leg, as he was, it woult
have been famously productive day for me-
| would sell all my limbs at the same price tha
Samuel has. Do YOU call this wooden leg
heavy cross? For my part, think his pension
ought to make it light The heaviest cross
that know Of is to be obliged to work unceas
ingly to pay your rent"
Mr. Taylor was n good naturcd man. and
keen observer. lie had for a long time remark
ed Roberts envious disposition, and he resolv
ed to convicc him that with a discontented spiri
the lightest cross would soon become heavy.
81 see,' said he to Hope, "that you are dis
posed to do nothing; very well. can free yo,
from the necessity of working, which you thinl
so grievous. You think the cross of your neigh
Dor Samuel easy to bear, do you? If you wi
accept of one much lighter, l will engage I
hold you quit OF your rent"
"But what kind of cross will you put o.
me? ?" asked Robert, uneasily, for he feared tina
the proposition would not be accepted.
"Such as this" said Mr. Taylor, taking b
of chalk and tracing white cross on Robert
coat "as long as you wear this will not as
your rent
Hope thought at first that his landlord wa
Joking but on being assured that he was speal
ing seriously
that you have seen the last of my money, for
will carry such cross all my life"
Robert soon left congratulating himself O
his good luck, and all along the road he laugl
, ed at the folly of Mr. Taylor in giving up h
rent so easily. He had never felt happier
all his life than when he reached home;
found fault with nothing; even his dog can
L and sat down at his feet without being punisht
for his familiarity. AS he sat down on enterir
the house, his wife did not at first see the viii
cross he had on his shoulder; but passing b
hind her husband to wind up the clock, 81
e cried out all at once, in sharp voice
"Ah good heavens, Robert, where ha
l. YOU been? You have cross a foot long
IS your back. You must have come from the ia
" ern, and | suppose some drunken friend h
played you this trick to make you look like
booby-as if you needed mark for that 6
- up, and keep quiet till brush off that cross !!
"Get off ?" cried Hope, turning away quickl
"my clothes have no need of you; go and ki
+ your stockings, and let me alone"
to THAT / will not !" said Mrs Hope, in st
sharper voice. al do not wish my husband
c. become the laughing stock of the village, a
h, if tear your coat in pieces, you shall not we
tha: ridiculous cross !"
- So. saying, the whole household endeavor
to brush Roberts shoulder, and he, knowi
that resistance was useless, fed, swearing q
shutting the door violently.
ei "What a fury" murmured hei "if she h
st been more gentle, | would have told her !
p good luck but she is not worthy OF knowi
it."
- "O-Robert |" cried the old man Fox,
B. moment Hope turned the corner of his hou'
Of "what is that white cross you carry on y'
hnnL pv