The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-05-29
For The Bloomfield Times
ROBERTS MARK.

DERHAPS some of our readers are
i dissatified with their condition in
life, and If so, may find some comfort in
reading the following story.
Robert Hope and Samuel Hullins had
lived neighbors for more than twelve
years and it is probable they would al
ways have been on good terms, had not
Samuel, who had served under Admiral
Nelson, gained at Trafalgar small pen
sion, which he had paid for by the loss
of one of his legs. This leg less, and
this pension more, were for Robert a
continual source of jealousy; he accused
fate for having left him his two feet, and
complained bitterly that he had not been
able, as he said, to sell his legs at the
same price with Hullins. Every time
he went to pay his rent, he repeated
grumblingly that his neighbor was very
fortunate; that he was in condition
to meet his bills, since the king gave
him good pension while he, poor fel-
low, had hard work to make both ends
meet, without taking into the account
his creditors.
Robert at first contented himself with
making these reflections inwardly, but
by degrees his dissatisfaction was express
sed aloud, and became his habitual and
favorite theme of conversation.
One week that his rent had fallen be-
hind-hand, and he was sadly advancing
towards the house of Mr.. Tyler, in order
to make his excuses for this delay, he
met Neighbor Hullins, who was as reg
ular as clock in paying his rent, and
had just been for that purpose.
The very sight of Samuel produced on
Robert the effect of fit of sickness so,
when he bowed in reply to the salute of
Hullins, his glance singularly resembled
that of bull shaking his horns at a dog.
Arrived at the house of the proprietor,
Hope did not fail to be reprimanded.
The example of his neighbor was cited,
who always paid punctually, and to the
last penny.
" Yes, yes, murmured Robert "some
people are born with silver spoon in
their mouths. Hullins is very fortunate
and am not surprised that he pays
punctually with such pension"
Hullins has pension, it is true,''
replied Mr.. Taylor; "but his infirmity
is a heavy cross, and if you were afflict-
ed with it, should pity you much more.
" Not So" said Hope. eff had been
SO fortunate as to lose a leg like him,
twenty years ago, it would have been a
productive day for me. would sell all
mylimbs at the same price. Do you call
his oak leg heavy cross think his
pension should render it light. The
heaviest cross that / know of, is to be
obliged to labor incessantly."
Mr.. Taylor was man of joyous humor
but close observer. He had for q long
time noticed the envious disposition OF
Robert, and resolved to convince him
that the lightest cross might become
heavy to discontented mind.
9 see,' said he to Hope, "that you
are disposed to do nothing. Well I will
exempt you from this obligation to labor
of which you complain SO bitterly. Il
you think the cross of your neighbor
Samuel, so easy to bear, will you accept
lighter one, if will engage to give
you your rent?"
''That depends upon what kind of Q
cross it is" said Robert, anxiously, fol
he feared that the proposition would MOI
be acceptable.
This" said Mr.. Taylor, taking {
piece of chalk and tracing white cross
on Roberts jacket. During the tim'
that you wear this, 1 shall not demand
penny of your rent.'
Hope thought, at first, that his land
lord was jesting but being assured tha
!. he spoke seriously, he exclaimed:
:" By ST. George you may say tina