Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-06-09
A STORY WITH A MORAL.
The Heavy Cross.
|. raAssLArsD FRoN rHE rRKncH.

Iho IlSdf O1OSSs
TRANSLATED FROM THE rRxxcH.
Robert Hope and Samuel Hullins had
lived next door to one another for more
than twelve years, and It is probable that
they would have continued to live in har-
nony, If Samuel, who had served under
Admiral Nelson, had not gaind at Trafal-
gar small pension, which be paid for by
the loss one Of his legs. Now partly that
leg, and still more that pension, were con-
slant objects of jealousy for Robert; be
blamed fate for having left him his two
legs, and be complained bitterly to God
because be could not, as he said, sell his
legs at The same price as Hullins. Every
time be went to pay his rent, he repeated
grumblingly that his Deighbor was very
happy man, that he was able to pay rent,
the king gave him such a good pension
At first, Robert contented himself with
talking of his grievance to himself; but
little By little bis discomfort was expressed
more loudly, and soon il became his habit
usl and favorits topic of conversation.-
One week when he was behind hand with
his rent, and as be was going towards the
house of Mr.. Taylor to make his excuses,
be met his neigtbor Hullins, who was 60
ing as regular as a clock to pay his rent
The very sight of Samuel had on Robert
the eject Of sickness; SO when he bowed
his bead ia reply to the salutation of Hui
iins, his s;ngulary resembled that of bull
showing his horns to dog, On reaching
the house Of the landlord Hope was Sc
vere,y reerimanded, and the example of
bis BeighbG held up to him, as always
paying regularly and to the last penny.
@Yes, yes" mutteTed Robert, -there are
some who are born with their mouth full
of money; Huilins is very happy, but l
am DO: astouished that person can pay
regularly when lie has such a pension as his." "
sHullins has pension, it Is true, replied
Mr.. Taylor, sbut his infrmity is heavy
cross, and if you was afflicted with il, you
would compkin mach more
Not at ALL replied Hope; "if | had
been happy enough to lose leg as be was,
il would have been famously productive
dsy for me. would sell all my limbs at
the same price that Samuel has. Do you
call his 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 70 work increasingly to pay
your rent"
Mr.. Taylor was a good natured man,
and keen observer. He had for a long
time remarked Roberts envious disposition,
and be resolved TO convince him that with
q discontented spirit the lighest cross soon
become heavy.
Il sea- said he to Hope, chat you are
disposed to do nothing; very well, I can
free you from this necessity Of working,
which you think so grievous. You think
the cross of your neighbor Samuel easy to
bear, do you'll If you viii accept Of one
much lighter, / will engage to hold you
quit Of your rent
But what kind Of cross viii you put
on my shonlderr asked Robert, uneasily,
for he feared that the proposition would
not be accepted.
Such as this said Mr.. Taylor, taking a
BIZ Of chalk and tracing white cross on
Roberts coat; as long as you wear this l
viii not ask You for rent
Hope thought at first that his landlord
was joking; bat on being assured that he
was speaking seriously
BY st. Georger cried be, ayou may be
surs that you have seen the last of my
money, for viii carry such cross all my
iifel, .--.....--. :. -
Robert soon Iefl, congratuiating himself
on his good luck, and all along the road he
laughed at the folly of Mr.. Taylor in CIV
iuo up his rent so easily. He had never
felt happier in all his life than when be
reached home; be found fault with nothing;
even his dog came and sat down at his
feet without being punished for bis familiar
ity. As he sat down on entering the
house, his wife did not at first see the white
cross be had on his shoulder; but passing
behind her husband to wind up the clock,
she cried out all at once IN q sharp
voice.
.Ah!-good heavens, Robert where have
you beenf You have cross foot long
on your back. You must have come from
the tavern, and l suppose some drunken
friend has played you this trick to make
you look like booby,-as if you needed
a mark for thatl Get up and keep quiet
till brush off that crossp 1a -
sGet Off cried Hope, turning away
quickly, smy clothes have no need of you;
go and knit yonr stockings, and let me
alone .,.s-.-
That will notr said Mrs. Hope in q
still sharper voice. 4 do not wish my
husband to become the laughing stock of
the village, and if l tear your coat in
pieces. you shall not wear that ridiculous
crossr - s..ss
So saying, the whole hoousehold endea-
vored TO brush Roberts shoulder; and he
knowing that resistance was useless, fed
swearing and shutting the door violently.
What furyi, mulmured he; If she
had been more gentle, I would have told
her my good luck; but she is not worthy
Of knowing it, ~
t0--Robertg y cried the old man Fox. the
moment Hope turned the corner Of his
house; swhat is that white cross you carry
on your backi'
Mind your own business replied Hope,
iusolently.
Mr. Hope said little Patty Stevens, the
daughter Of the grocer, stop moment if
You please, till | rub off the cross some
one has made on your shoulder s
go and sell yonr herings, idle girl re-