The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-05-29
Is crusader just setting out for Pales-

And the shouting and laughter re-
commenced more loudly.
Hope became pale with anger he
turned like cross dog pursued by chill
dren, and, perhaps, would have cruelty
revenged himself on his young prose.
cutors, had not Mr.. Johnson, the school
master, suddenly appeared at the door Of
his house.
Robert advanced towards him, COM
planning of his pupils as being insolent
Mr.. johnson replied that he would not
for the world encourage impertinence in
them, but that the white cross which he
had on his back might make wiser peo-
pie than boys laugh.
"What is this cross to you ?" replied
Robert, Grossly. els not my back my
own property
The schoolmaster smilingly assented,
and Hope went on his way. But the
cross was growing heavier and heavier.
He began to think that it would not
be so easy to pay his rent in this man
ner. So much raillery had already been
heaped upon him, what would it be If
the cause were known His landlord
might as well have written on his back
receipt in full.
AS he reflected thus, Robert arrived at
the tavern. He was passing by when
he perceived Mr.. Taylor himself at a few
PAGES distance, and on the other side his
neighbor Hullins, dragging his wooden
leg, and conversing with Harry Stokes,
the carpenter. Harry Stokes was the
wit of the village, and Hope would not
have encountered him before Hullins for
the world. He therefore took refuge in
the tavern.
But the place was not long tenable.-
The drinkers did not fail to perceive the
cross, and to rally Hope, who grew
angry; the quarrel became violent, and
the innkeeper, fearing some serious re-
suit, turned Roberts out of doors.
The latter had left home with the in
tention of examining some work which
had been offered him in the neighboring
village, but his mind had been so dis
turbed by old Fox, Patty Stevens, the
blacksmith, the butcher, Peggy Turton,
and the school-boys, that he resolved to
return home, thinking that would be,
after all, the most peacable place.
Have you ever seen, in the month of
September, young partridge, the last
of the brood, fiuttering along through
the fields with wounded wing? Such
was Robert on his way to his home, at
the other end of the village. Now he
walked rapidly lest he should be over
taken, now slowly lest he should meet
some one now in the road, now in the
fields, gliding behind the bushes, climb
ing the walls, and stunning glances like
gipsy who has stolen chicken from a
farmers poultry-yard. At this moment,
weight.
At last he reached his dwelling, and
this time hoped to find little rest. But
as soon as his wife perceived him she
began to cry out
Are you not ashamed to come back
as you went? Five or six of our neigh
bors have asked me if you had lost your
senses Quick, let me rub out that
cross"
"Away, woman - exclaimed Robert
exasperated.
You shall not remain so, Hope;
will not have any one belonging to me
so ridiculous. Take off that jacket
take it Off this minute, L tell you !"
AS she spoke thus, Mrs. Hope at
tempted to seize her husbands arm; but
the latter rudely repulsed her. Mrs
Hope, who was not remarkable for pa
tience, replied by blow, and the result
was scuffle between the two, to the
great scandal of the neighbors, who rar
to separate them.
Everybody blamed Robert, who when
he became calm, understanding thai
there was no hope of rest or peace fol
him otherwise, efIaced the cross of his
own accord.
The Monday following, he carried his
rent early to the house of his land
lord.
"Ah ah Robert" said Mr.. Taylor
on perceiving him, 81 thought you
would soon repent of your bargain
This is good lesson for envious andim
patient dispositions, who are necessarily
complaining of God and of life. Re
member this, Hope; he who has created
us has proportioned our burdens to oul