Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-06-06
@iseeII & IIzneons.
The Heavy Burden.

The Heavy Burden.
"Rather heavy burden, isn't it. IN,
boy5"
ClAreuce Spencer, to whom the wordl
had been addressed, turned from ths
ledger, and looked towards the speaker
Clarence was . young mxn-not more
than five and twenty-and he was
book-keeper TO Mr.. solomon Wardle
II was Solomon Wardle, q pleasant.
faced. keen-eyed man Of fifty, who bad
spoken.
"a heavy burden, isn't it. Clarence p
the merchant repeated.
And still the young man Was silent.
His looks indicated that he did not
comprehend. He had been for some
time bending over the ledger with his
thoughts far away; aud that his
thoughts were not pleasant ones, was
evident enough from the gloom on his
handsome face.
my dear boy, the burden il not
only heavy now, but it will grow heav-
ier and heavier the longer you carry
it."
"Mr. wardle, do not comprehend
you"
"Ah, Clarence !"
Il certainly do not"
"Didn't l call At your house for you
this morning.
Clarence nodded assent.
And didn't see and hear enough
to reveal to me the burden that YOU
took with you when you left? You
must remember. my boy. that I am
older than you are, and that have
been through the p,ill. You ind your
burden heavy; and have no doubt
that Sarah's heart is as heavily laden
As your own"
And then Clarence Spencer under
stood; and the mornings scene was
present with him as it had been pres
ent with him since leaving home. On
that morning he had had dispute with
his wife. 1t had occurred at the break.
fast table. There is no need Of repro
ducing the scene. Su&ce it is to say
that it had come VI o mere nothing,
and had grown TO a cause Of anger.
The first had been q look and Q tone !;
then flash Of impatience then . ris-
ing Of the voice; then anothe. look
the voice grew higher reason Was un-
hinged passion gained sway and the
twain lost sight Of the warm. enduring
love that lay smitten and aching deep
down in their hearts, and felt for the
time only the passing tornado. And
Clarence remembered that Mr.. Wardle
had entered the house and caught q
sign Of the storm.
And Clarence Spencer thought Of
one thing more he thought how mis-.
erably unhappy he had been all the
morning amt he knew not how long
his burden Of unhappiness was to be
borne.
Honestly, Clarence. isn't i, heavy
and thankless burdenF'
The book-keeper knew that bis en-
a true hearted Christian man; and
after brief pause he answered: -
"Yes, Mr.. Wardle, it is a heavy bur.
den."
MY boy l am going to venture
upon bit of fa,berly counsel. hope
l shall not offend"
Not at all" said Clarence. He
WINGED little, as though the probing
gave him new pain.
''In the first place" pursued the old
man, with culver OF emotion in his
voice "you love your wife p
Love her! Yes passionateiy."
And do you think she loves you in
return"
Il don't think anything about i'll
knou p
You knoto she loves you?"
Yes"
Then you must admit that tue
trouble Of this morning came from no
ill-feeling at heartI'
"Of course not
1T was but q surface squsll, for
which you, at least. are very sonyE
A moments hesitation. and then
"Yes, yes am heartily sorry?"
SNOW, mark me, Clarence, and ans
wer honestly Don't you think your
| vile Is a0 sorry Is you are
II cannot doubt it."
And don't you think she is suffer-
ing all this timer"
Yes"
"Very well. Let that pass. You
know she is bearing her part of the
burden!"
"Yes-I know that"
"Anu now. my boy. do you compre-
bend where the heaviest part Of this
burden Is lodged?"
Clarence looked upon his interIOcu.
tor wonderingly.
sIf tine storm had all blown over.
aud you knew that the sun would shine
when you next entered your bOme, you
would not feel 80 unhappy"
Clarence assented.
But" continued Mr.. Wsrdle, "you
fear that there will b gloom in your
home when YOU return?'
The yoona man bowed his head -
be murmured An affirmative.
"Becaase," the merchant sdded,
with touch of parental sternness in
his tone, "you are resolved TO carry it
thereH
Clarence looked up In surprise.
Ill carry it,"
"Aye-yoa have the burden in your
heart, and You mean to carry it home.
Remember, my boy, I have been there,
and know oil shout it. l have been
very foolish in my lifetime, and have
su6ersd. 1ssuffered until discovered
my folly. and then resolved that l
would safer no more. Upon looking
the matter squarely and honestly in
the face, found that the burdens
which had so CALLED me had been self