The daily gazette., 1879-01-06
THE HEAVY CROSS.
By ANNIE I. WILBUR.

Nelson, gained al Trafalgar a small pei
sion, which he had paid for by the loss c
one of his legs. This leg less, and thi
pension more, were for Robert contnu
al source Of jealousy. lie accused fat
for having left him his two feet, ard CON
planned bitterly that he had not bee
abie, as he said, to sell his legs at th
same price with Hullins. Every time h
went to pay his rent, he repeated grum
blingly that his neighbor was very fortu
nate that he was in a condition to NEE
his bills, since the king gave him a goo
pension; while he, poor fellow, had har
work TO make both ends of the yea
meet, without taking into account hi
creditors.
Robert at first contented himself wit
making these reflections inwardlv but b
degrees his dissatisfaction was expresse,
aloud, and became his habitual and ia
vorlte theme of conversation.
one week that his rent had fallen be
hindhand, and he was sadly advancin,
toward the house of Mr.. Taylor. in orde
TO make HIS excuses for the DELAY, he Inc
neighbor Hulins, who was as regular a
clock in paying his rent, and had Jus
been for that purpose.
The very sight of Samuel produced OF
Robert the effect of fit of sickness q,
when he bowed in reply to the salute o
iiullins, his glance sngularly resemble,
that of a bull 81 lking 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.
"l es, yes" murmured Robert, "som,
people are borne with silver spoon il
their mouths. Hullins is very fortunate
and am not surprised that he pay.
puictually with such pension"
'liullins has a pension, it is true" re
piled Mr.. Taylor; "but his infrillty is {
heavy cross, and il you were afflicted
with it, l should pity you much more. >
"Not So" said Hope. "lf had beer
so fortunate As to lose leg like him,
twenty years ago, it would have been a
productive day for me. | would sell all
my limbs 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 necessarily"
MIR. Taylor was a man of Joyous
humor, but close observer. He had
for long time noticed Tine envious dis
position of Robert and resolved to con-
vince him that the lightest cross might
become heavy to discontented mind.
81 see," said he to Hope, "that you are
disposed to do nothing. Well. | will
exempt you from this obligation to labor
of which you complain SO bitterly. If
t9I l.A ..f -. III
Samuel, 90 easy to bear, will you accept
a lighter one, ifl will engage to give you
your rent ?"
"That depends upon What kind Of a
cross it is said Robert, anxiously, for he
feared that the proposition would not be
acceptable.
"This," said Mr.. Taylor, taking piece
of chalk and tracing a white cross on
Roberts jacket. "During the time that
you wear this, | shall not demand a
penny of your rent"
Hope thought, at first, that his land
lord was jestiDg; but being assured
that he spoke seriously he exclaimed
by st. George! you may say that
you have seen my last money. for am
willing to wear this cross all my life
time"
Robert Immediately went out, con-
graduating himself on his good fortune,
and laughing all along the road at the
folly Of Mr.. Taylor, who had let
him OH so cheaply from paying his
rent.
lie had never been SO joyous as at the
moment OF returning home; as he
found nothing to complain OF, and his
dog came to sit down at his fof with
ont his puuishins him for his famil-
iari.y.
As he seated himself on his arrival, his
wit did not, at first, notice the white
cross which he had on his shoulder: bur
having passed behind her husband to
wind up the clock, She suddenly cxcaim-
ed, in "A shrill voice:
why, Robert, where have you been ?
You have on your back a cross foot
long. on have been TO the tavern, and
some druukard among your friends has
played you trick to make you ridicu
lous. Get up and let me brush off this
cfo.Sr
"Awayw exclaimed Hope, hastily
my clothes do not need your brushing.
90 knit your stockings, and let me
alone"
"That shall not be ~ exclaimed Mrs.
Hope, in voice more shrill. ~ will not
have my husband become the laughing
ing-stock of the whole village, and if
tear your jacket to pieces, you shall not
wear that ridiculous cross"
As she spoke thus. the wife attempted
TO brush Roberts shoulder; and the lat.
ter, who knew that resistance would be
useless, walked of, shutting the door at
ter him violently.
"Wbat fury :" muttered he, as he
went away. ''If she had been more gem
tie, would have told her of my good
fortune but she does not deserve to
know it,"
"Oh! Oh Robert" exclaimed old Fox,
at the moment when Hope turned the
corner Of his house, "what is that white
cross on your back?"
"Take care of your own Clothes" inso-
lently replied Hope, going his own way.
MIR. Hope" said little Patty Stevens,
the grocer's daughter, ''stop one moment
IL you pleas" that L may rub out that
great white cross you have on your
shoulder"
$50 and sell your herrings, lazy girl"
replied Robert, "and do not concern
yourself about the passers-by."
The little girl, silenced, hastened to re-
enter her mothers shop.
At this moment Hone arrival at the