Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-10-22
THE HEAVY BURDEN

'Rather heavy burden, isn't it, my
boy"
Clarence Spencer, to whom the words had
been addressed, turned from the ledger. and
looked towards the speaker. Clarence was
a young man-not more than five and
twenty-and he was book-kecper TO Mr..
solomon Wardle, pleasant face, keen
eyed man of fifty, who had spoken.
"A heavy burden, isn't Clarence 2" the
merchant repeated.
And still the young man was silent. His
looks indicated that he did not compre-
hend. He had been for some time bending
over the ledger, with his thoughts far away;
and that his thoughts We're not pleasant
ones, was evident enough from the gloom
on his handsome face.
MY dear boy, the burden is not only
heavy now, but it will grow heavier and
heavier the longer you carry it.
'-AIr. Wardle, donot comprehend you =
'.Ah, Clarence
"a certainly no not"
'.Didn't l call al your house for you this
mOrningf"
Clarence nodded assent
'.And didn't see and hear enough to re-
veal TO me the burden that you took with
you whenyouleftl Ioumust remember, my
boy, that / am older than you are, and that
| have been through the mill. You find
your burden heavy; and I've no doubt that
Sarahs heart is as heavily laden as your
own"
And then Clarence Spencer understood A.:
and the mornings scene was present with
him, Us ii had been present with lin since
leaving home On that morning hc had j
dispute with his wife. 1t had occurred at
the breakfast table. There is no need of
reproducing the scene. Suffice it to say
that it had come of 4 mere nothing, and
had grown a cause of anger. The first had
been a look and tone; then flash Of I'M
patience; then 4 rising Of the voice; then
another look; the voice grew higher; the
reason was unhinged; passion gained sway
and the twain lost sight of the warm, en-
during love that lay smitten and aching
down deep in their hearts, and felt for the
time only the passing tornado. And Clar-
ence remembered that Mr.. Wardle had en-
tered the house and caught sight Of the
storm.
And Clarence Spencer thought of one
thing more: he thought how miserably un-
happy he had been all the morning: and he
knew not how long his burden of unhap-
piness was to be borne.
Honestly, Clarence, isn't it a heavy and
thankless burden :"
The book keeper knew that his employer
was his friend, and that he was true-heart-
ed Christian man and, after pause, he an
swered: eyes. Mr. Wardle, it is heavy
burden"
.Aly boy, | am going TO venture upon
bit of fatherly counsel. hope i shall not
offend"
scNot at all, said Clarence. He WINGED
a little. us though the probing gave him
new pain.
sIn the first place." pursuedthe old man,
with a culver of emotion in his voice, ''you
love your wifei"
.Love herl Yes, passionately." "
"And do you think she loves you in re-
turnl"
81 don't think anything about it-i
k1lOW!"
..You E7a0,c she loves yOu?"
eyes" -,
Then YOU must admit that the trouble
of this morning came from no ill-feeling at
heart I"
'1Of course not.
.It was but a surface-squail, which you'
at least. are very sorryi'
A moments hesitation, and then-"l es'
yes: | am heartily sorry"
seNow mark me, Clarence, and answer
bouestly:-Don't you think your wife Is as
sorry as you are -
II cannot doubt it.
and don't you think she is suffering all
this time n
ssYes."
"very well. Let that pass i ou kno"
she is bearing her part of the burden! :!
'Yes, ] know that.
"And now, my boy, do you comprehend
-, ,ho heaviest part of this burden Is
Iodgedl"
Clarence looked upon his interiocutor
wonderinsly. a
.If the storm had all blown over, ana
Won knew that the sun would shine whei'
ron next entered your home, you would no'
feel so unhappy"
Clarence assented- a,,
ssBut.n continued Mr.. Wardie, Sou'
fear that there will be gloom in your holi'
when you return r 70
| ,r, -. ,,,o,, bowed his head as ne Te