The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-29

81 VI eoh dliiNSu III hOi Pieio So"h "nN
blue apron.
"Mercyl Mr.. Hope" exclaimed she,
taking up her apron; "what is that upon
your backw
Robert turned to tell her to let him
alone, but the blacksmith then perceived
the mark made by Mr.. Taylor.
"Heavensw said he, laughing, che
might serve for a sign to the White
| Cross"
81 suppose" said the butcher, chat his
wife has marked him thus for fear of los
ing him."
Hope felt that there was for him but
one method of escaping at the same time
from the apron of Peggy and the jokes of
the butcher and blacksmith, so he has
tened to leave the spot, not without some
abusive language to his neighbors; but
the cress had begun to weigh more heav-
lily upon his shoulders than he had at first
supposed.
The unfortunate Robert seemed des-
tined this day to provoking encounters
for he had gone but few steps when he
found himself opposite the school-house.
School was just out, and the scholars
were at this moment Issuing from the
door, ready for any fun that might pre-
sent itself. Hope was terribly uneasy,
and imagined he already heard cries be-
hind him. His fears were soon realized !;
he had scarcely passed the school-house
door when loud shout was heard, and
fifty scholars at least began to pursue
him and point at him, throwing up their
caps in the air.
'Look, look!" exclaimed one; "there
is sheep market for the butcher"
Don't you see," replied another, 'it
is crusader just setting out for Pales-
tine?
And the shouting and laughter recon-
menced more loudly.
Hope became pale with anger, He
turned like a cross dog pursued by chill
dren, and perhaps would have cruelty
revenged himself on his young persecu-
tors, had not Mr.. johnson, the school
master, suddenly appeared at the door OF
his house.
Robert advanced toward him complain
ing 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 people than
boys laugh.
"What is this cross to you? replied
Robert, Grossly. "Is not my back my
own propertyW
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
50 easy to pay his rent in this manner
So much raillery had already been heaped
upon him, what would it be if the cause
was 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.. Tavlor himself at few
paccs distant, 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 inn
keeper, fearing some serious result, turned
Robert out of doors.
The latter had left home with the in
tention of examining some work which
was offered to him in neighborlng vii
ace, but his mind had been so distorted
by old Fox, Patty Stevens, the black.
smith, the butcher Peggy Thurton, and
the bows, that he resolved to return
home, thinking that would be the best
place.
Have you ever seen in the month Of
September young partridge, the last Of
the brood, huttering along tnrough the
} fields, with wounded wing? Such was
Robert on his way to the other end Of the
village. Now he walked faster lest hi
} should meet some one; now in the road
t now in the fields, gliding behind thu
bushes, climbing the walls, and shunnins
glances like gypsy who has stolen
S chicken from poultry yard. At thl
e moment the white cross was an insupport
!; able weight.
i At last he reached his dwelling, ant
n this time hoped to find little rest. Blu
as soon as his wife perceived him she be
I? gan to cry out:
t care you not ashamed to come back q
4 YOU went? Five or six of our neighbor
S have asked me if you have lost you
+ senses. Quick! let me rub out tina
S crossw
"Away, woman!' exclaimed Robert
y exasperated.
o "You shall not remain 50, Hope;
will not have any one belonging to me S
). ridiculous. Take off that Jacket take
It off this minute, tell you!"
: As she spoke thus Mrs. Hope Al
IF tempted to seize her husbands arm; bu
II the latter rudely repulsed her. Mr.
Hope, who was not remarkable for ps
7, tience, replied by blow, and the resu
d was scuffle between the two, to tn
'e great scandal of the neighborhood, VIII
le ran to separate them.
Eyery BODY blamed Robert, who, whe