The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-02-21
The Heavy Cross.

The Heavy Gross.
t1rlns'ated for the Worcester Palladium, from
the French OF Emile Souvestre. by Stella
An envious and discontentcd character Il
a perpetual cause of suffering to its pos
SCISSOR. II is poison mingled with the
sweetest JOYS, q thorn in his foot, whose
prickling he feels at every stop in lilo.
Robert Hope and Samuel Hullins had
dwelt sido 10y side for moro than n dozen
years. II is probable that these noighbors
would havo always livod upon good terms
IL Samuel who had served under Admiral
Nelson, had not earned ut Trafalgar, small
pension. for whicE lio paid by tho loss OF
ono of his legs. This leg and his pension
werc, for Robert, a continual subject o.
jealousy. He accused fate of having left
him his two legs, and complained bitterly
to God because hc bad not boon able, as ht
said, to sell his legs at tho same price thai
Hullins had dono Evory time that be
went TO pay his rent. he would say. grum
bling. that lis noighbor was indeed happy
that he was in state to settle his debts, MS
the King had allotted him good pension
while he, pcor fellow, could with difficulty
make both ends of tho year meet, to say
nothing of meeting demands of his creditors
At first, Robert contentod himself with
keeping bis reflections TO himself, and with
detailing his grievances to his own car; but
by degrees. his dscontent expressed itscli
moro loudly, and became soon his constuu,
and favorite theme of conversation. rg-
Ono day when be had allowed himself tc
deiay paying his rent, and was advancing
sadly toward Mr.. Taylor's house in ordei
TO mako his excuses for his delay, he met
his neigh5or Hullins. who WIS as regular III
a clock about his rent, which he had jusi
paid. The sight even of Samuel had bad
eject upon Robert. When he bont hi,
head in answer to Huilin's salute, his ap
pearanco singularly rosembIod that of .
bull who is showing his horns to dog. Ar
rived at the house OF the landlord, Hope
did not fail to receive roprinand, and Il
be shown, as an example, tho conduct oi
his neighbor. who always paid regularly, to
the last penny. ...1 .,-
plo are born with their mouths full of silver
lIullins is lucky and l am not surprised
that no pays regularly whom ho has pen
sion like his"
Hullins has a pension. that is true" re
piled MIR. Taylor; out his infirmi,y is 9
boavy cross. aud il you were afflicted by it
you would complain even more." l
mo, no; answered Hope. "If l had
been SO fortunate as to lose leg like him
twenty years ago, that would have beon 9
famously productive day for mo. would
sell all my limbs for such a reward as Sam
uels. You call his oakou leg heavy cross
For my part, think his pension ought tc
make 1t light. Tho heaviest cross is thi.
being obliged to como continually and settle
for my rent.
Mr.. Taylor was man of Joyous tempora
mont, but good observer. lie had noticec
for some timo Roberts enyious disposition
and he resolved to convince him that the
lighcst cross would soon become burden
somo to discontented mind.
Il SEQ" said no to Hope, shat you arc
quite disposed to do nothing. Well; COR
exempt you from this obligation to work, o.
which you complain SO bitterly. The cross
of your ncighbor Samuel is very easy t.
bear, say you: Will you accept one much
more light if ] engage to acquit you of YOU
rent :" -.
But what sort of o cross would you plac,
upon my shoulders :" anxiously inquired
Robert, who feared tho proposition might
not be acceptable.
This, said Mr.. Taylor, taking o piece o
chalk and tracing white cross upon Robert,
coat. ''As long as you will wear this viii
not ask you for penny of your rent"
Hope at first thought his landlord wal
jesting but. beng assured that he wal
speaking seriously, he cried: s#
by st. George you may cay that you
have seen tho last of my money, for / an
willing to carry such all my life."
So Robert departed, congratulatipg him
self on bis good fortune, and all along tb,
road he laughed to himself over the folly o
Mr.. Taylor, who had 50 cbeapiy acquitted
him of his rent. ..r - .. - ...
Nevcr had be been OF so joyous o dispo
sition as at the moment of re. ontering b
dwelling, Ho found fault with nothing
and his dog camo and sat down at his fec
without his thinking to punish him for hi
familiarity. ra t.I.. ..
AS he seated himself, upon arriving, hi
wife did not ut first notice tho white eros
that be boro upon his shoulders; but passin,
behind her husband in order 10 wind be-
cuckoo clock, she suddenly cried in sbarI
voice: .-. n.. .t ..r.
"Ah great God, Robert where hav,
you beon You have on your back eros
foot long You come without doubt from
the tavern, and some drunken friend hal
played you this trick to make you look lik'
fool--as If you needed anything so ii
diculous as that. Rise aud keep still whil'
brush of this CROSS"
"Stop 7 cried Hope. suddenly turning
away. "My coat doesn't need you. G'
and knit your stocking, and let my Goa
alone !"
"This shall not be |" cries Mistress Hope
in o voice still more piercing. Il don't wisi
my husband to become the laughing stool
OF tho village, and, IL have TO tear you
coat to pieces,you shall not wear this ridicu