The Newtown bee., 1879-03-04
THE HEAVY CROSS

Robert Hope and Samuel Hullins had lived neighbors for more than twelve years; and it is probable they would al. ways 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, were for Robert contin- ual source of jealousy; he accused fate for having loft him his two feet, and complained bitterly that he had not been able, as he said, to sell his legs at the same price with Hullins. Every time he went to pay his rent, he re- peated grumblingly that his neighbor was very fortunate: that he was in a condition to meet his bills, since the king gave him 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 favorite theme of conversation.
 One week that his rent had fallen be- hind hand, and he was sadly advancing g toward the house of Mir. Taylor, in or der to make his excuses for the delay, he net Neighbor Hullins, who was as regular as clockwork in paying his rent, and had just been for that purpose.
 The very sight of Samuel produced on Robert the effect of fit of sickness; so, when he bowed in reply to the sa- lute of Hullins, his glance singularly resembled that of bull shaking his horns at dog.
 Arrived at the house of the proprie- tor, Hope did not fail to be reprimand- ed. The example of his neighbor was cited, who always paid punctually, and to the last penny.
 "Yes, yes,' murmured Robert "some people are born with a silve, spoon in their mouths. HuIlins is very fortunate, and am not surprised that he pays punctually with such pen sion."
 Hullins has pension, it is true, replied Mir. Taylor; s but his infirmity is heavy cross. and if you were afflicted with it, I should pity you much more.
 "Not so," said Hope. "If I hat been so fortunate as to lose leg lik, him, twenty years ago, it would hav' been a productive day for me- I woult sell all of my limbs at the same price Do you call his oak leg heavy cross think his pension should render i light. The heaviest cross that knoy of is to be obliged to labor necessarily.
 Mir. Taylor was a man of joyous hu mot, but close observer. He had fo a long time noticed the envious disposi tion of Robert, and resolved t convince him that the lightest eros might become heavy to discontente, mind.
 "I see," said he to Hope, 'sthat yo1 are disposed to do nothing. We'll, will exempt you from this obligation t labor, of which you complain so bitterly If you think the cross of your neighbor Samuel, so easy to bear, will you accep q lighter one, if will engage to giv you your rent2'
 "That depends upon what kind of cross it is," said Robert, anxiously, 10 he feared that the proposition would nc be acceptable.
 "This," said Mir. Taylor, taking piece of chalk and tracing white eros on Roberts jacket. "During tine tim that you wear this, I shall not demand penny of your rent"
 Hope thought, at first, that his land lord was testing; but being assured tha he spoke seriously, he exclaimed:
 By St. Georgel you may say tha you have seen my last money, for ar 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 folly of MT. Taylor, who had let him o so cheaply from paying his rent. He had never been so joyous as at th moment of returning home, as he foun } nothing to complain of, and his do came to sit down at his feet without h punishing him for his familiarity.
 As he seated himself on his arriva his wife did not at first notice the whii cross which he had on his shoulder bl having passed behind her husband wind up the clock, she suddenly e, claimed. in shrill voice
 "Why, Robert, where have you been You have on your back cross 2 fo' long. You have been to the tavern, ar some drunkard among your friends h played you trick to make you ridic' Ions. Got mp and let mo brush oil th this erosl "
 ]" Amy ," excIaimed Hope, hastil, "my oIothes 10 not need your brushin do Init ypur slodkines. snd let !