Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-03-20


- Iais rebel hower will, III: lis Ii, al
IN lustier vigor than before,
And name and fame iorevermore
SHALL flourish 6ravely in the land
Despite tn eppressor's heel OF hand!
When next they met mv lord had laid
HIS sword beneath the reb, blade,
AMI she who prop .esed the fate
tt British valor, stood in a'e
"a BRUSH soll, an honored guest,
Wearing upon her lovely breast,
IA smiling triumph for that hour,
4 p:sy called I" The Rebel Fzo,rer.''
-" The -Nasque OF the Poets.
THE HEAVY CROSS.
Robert Hope and Samuel Hullins had
lived neighbors for more than twelve
years; and it is probable they would
always 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, we're for Robert a continu-
al source Of jealousy; he accused fate for
aaving left him his two feet, and com.
,lained bitterly that he had not been
able, as he said, to sell his leg at the
same price with Hullins. Every time he
went to pay his rent, he repeated grum-
blingly that his neighbor was very for
cunate; that he was in condition to
meet his bills, since the king gave him a
good pension; while he, poor fellow, had
hard work to make both ends of the
year meet, without taking into account
his creditors.
Robert at first contented himself with
making these reflections inwardly, but
by degrees his dissatisfaction was ex-
pressed aloud, and became his habitual
and favori1e theme of conversation.
One week that his rent had fallen
behindhand, aud he was sadly advancing
toward the house Of Mr.. Taylor, in order
to make his excuses for the delay, he
met neighbor Hu!lins, who was as regu-
lar SIS clockwork in paying his rent, and
had just been to Taylor's for that pur-
pose.
The very sight of Samuel produced on
Robert the effect of a fit of sickness; 80,
when ne bowed in reply to the salute
of Hullins, his glance singularly xesem-
bled that of a bull shaking his horns at
a dog.
Arrived at the house Of the proprie-
tor, Hope did not fail to be reprimanded.
The example of his neighbor was cited,
who always paid punctually, and to the
last penny.
Eyes, yes" murmured Robert; some
people are born with silver spoon in
their mouths. Hullins is very fortu-
nate, and am not surprised that he pays
punctually with such pension"
"Hullins has pension, it is true"
replied MIR. Taylor; but his infrmity
is a heavy cross, and if you were afflicted
with it should pity you much MORE"
mot so," said Hope. eff had been
50 fortunate to lose leg like him twenty
years ago, it would have been a produc.
tive day for me. I would sell all of 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 incessantly."
MI. Taylor was man of joyous hui
NOR, but close observer. He had for
long time noticed the envious DISPOSE
ton Of Robert, and resolved to convince
him that the lightest cross might become
heavy to disconnected mind.
II 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. II
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 on what kind of cross
it is" said Robert, anxicusly, for he
feared that the propositions would not
be acceptable.
"This," said Mr.. Taylor, taking q
piece of chalk and tracing white cross
. on Roberts jacket. "During the time
that you wear this, shall not demand
a penny of rent"
Hope thought, at first, that his land
lord was jesting; but being assured that
he spoke seriously, he exclaimed:
"By ST. George! you may say that
you have seen my last money, for an
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 tn,
oily of Mr.. Taylor, who had let him OF
cheaply from paying his rent.
He had never been so joyous as at thu
moment of returning home, as he fount
nothing to complain of, and his do,
came to sit down at his feet without hi
Furnishing him for his familiarity.
As he seated himself on his arrival
his wife did not at first notice the whit
cross which he had on his shoulder; bu
having passed behind her husband t,
wind up the clock, she suddenly ex
claimed, in shrill voice:
Why, Robert, where have you been
You have on your back a cross foo
long. You have been to the tavern, an,
some drunkard among your friends ha
played you trick to make you idicu
Ious. Get up and let me brush off thi
Cross"
"Away," exclaimed Hope, hastily; :
"my clothes do not need your brushing
Go knit your stockings, and let me alone
"That shall not bel" exclaimed Mr.
Hope, in a voice more shrill. II viii
not have my husband become the laugh
ing stock Of the whole village, and if
year. 1ess your % Jacket to pieces, you shall no
ana as she spoke thus, the wife Al
temPteo 10 brush Roberts shoulder, an
me iatter' who knew that reaistanc
would be useless, walked of, shuttin
the door after him violently.
"What fury!" mutteYed he q. h
went away. IF she had been NOR
gentle, I would have told her Of N,
good fortthe; but she does not deserv
to know it."
"Oh! oh! Robert" exclaimed OIL
Fox, at the moment when Hope turne
ne corner of his house, "what is thu
wn,te Cross on your back?"
Take care of your own clothes" il