Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-03-27
The Heavy Load.
MITCHELL,

Robert Holmes was boy real enc, Ike
you and Charley and Tom and Will, that
you see and talk with every day, and not one
of those model chaps that live in story. books
So one day when his father told him to
take great roll Of newspapers, snugly tied
up, to store, nearly mile from where he
lived, he grumbied Not before his father.
you know, but after his back was turned, and
when he had felt how heavy it was, and
thought how hot and sunny the day was, and
what long, long distance he had to go, then
he grumbled just as you would have done /;
for he was a real live boy, as said before.
Bob had a brother, aud the idea entered
his fororn little head that he would get him
to help i'm. But when he had found Harry
and made known his request, he discovered
that Harry had his task to do, and so could
not help him.
At length he came to the wise conclusion
that the longer he delayed the worse things
looked to him : so, with sigh, he shouldered
the heavy roll, and went on his toilsome er-
rand. He passed his father on the way, who
smiled aud said few words of encourage
ment Now, model boy would have bright
eued up at this, and grown suddenly strong,
and gone on his way rejoicing. But poor lit
tie Bob, being real boy, only thought to
himself that 1t was all very fine for his father
to talk about it but how would he like it, il
he was little fellow, aud had to carry such
heavy load in the hot sun so far
Then he met some Of his schoolmates going
on little excursion out of the city, where
they were to have famous rambe in the
woods, and a delightful swim in clear, cool,
sparkling water. How some of them dis
played their enjoyment before poor little Bob's
eyes, with all the arrogance of wealth to pow
erty, and others in plying condescension,
which was even little worse to Bob, he be-
ing only real boy, as you are and | once
was
The tears almost came into his eyes as he
trudged on with the tantalizing sounds of their
merry shouts and laughter ringing in his ears.
Phew how hot it was Aud yet Bob was
not quarter Of the way yet.
Then came rebellious thoughts. Why
didn't father send it by express, or get some
porter to carry it p Nobody was there to
answer this question, so Bob didn't ask an
other but, grabbing at the bundle as if that
had anything to do with his toilsome errand,
he gave it half angry shake, and pushed on
with curious kind Of short-liyed vgor that
anger sometimes gives one. II proyed Of
very brief existence in Bobs case, for he soon
threw the bundle down for another rest.
Just then came along poorly clad, but
clean-faced looking boy who. plaucinc timidly
at Bob's good clothes said, q PLEASE let me
help you with your bundle p
This begins TO sound a little unreal. but the
bow was not 4 model one. but was real too.
To be snre. thew arc not yerv nlentv but if
YOU think pretty hard and lono Won NAV be
able to 6nd some ono whom MS moor bov's
cap would it, a
You have got basket Of your own to
carry" said Bob. moodily. .tBesides, thi.
bundle is only paper and licht for its size +"
but it is a biz bundle." urged the bow
" Come, let me take hold of this end.u
Bob had reached the abused MARTYR point
You know what mean. He experienced /
gloomy satisfaction in thinking what kind
Of martyr he was You have felt Il doubt