Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-04-23

has played you trlcK 10 ihaAo yo'
ridiculous. Get up and let me brush OIL
this cross
'Away!' exclaimed Hope, hastily
my clothes do not need your brushing.
Go knit your stockings and let me
alone
That shall not be y exclaimed Mrs.
Hope, in voice more shrill. ! Will
not have my husband become the laugh
ing-stock of the whole village, and II l
tear your jacket to pieces, you shall not
wear that ridiculous cross
AS she spoke thus, the wife attempt
ed TO brush Roberts shoulder and the
latter, who knew that resistance would
be useless, walked off, shutting the door
after him violently.
What furyv muttered he, as he
went away. If she had been more
gentle. 1 would have told her OF my
GOOD fortune but she does not deserve
TO know it,
oh! Oh! Robertn 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 In
solently replied Hope, going his own
way.
Mr.. Hope said little Patty Stevens
The grocer's daughter, stop one MN
ute. if ou please, that may rub Out
that great white cross you have on your
shoulder
go aud sell your herrings, lazy girl
renljed Robert, and do not concern
Yourself about the passersby.'
The little girl, sllenced, fastened TO
re-enter her mothers shop.
At this moment Hope arrived at the
house ofthe butcher, who was convefs'
inc on the threshold with his peighbor'
the blacksmith.
You are just the man wanted said
the latter, stopping Robert; and he
began to speak to him on business; but
hardly had he commenced when old
p,ccy Turton arrived. in her plaid gown
and blue apron.
Mercy, Mr.. Hope.' exclaimed She
taking up her apron, what Is that on
your back?'
Robert turned to tell her to let hlm
alone. but the blacksmith ther perceIy'
ed the mark made by Mr.. Taylor.
Heavens! said he, laughing lie
might serve for sign TO the Nhl'e
Cross
'Isuppose,' said the butcher that
his wife has marked hlm for tear oil los
ing him.
He felt that there was for him him.Jgi. but one
method ol q Bare .ofafhe saexcei- y
from then apron ofPeggy and the Jo"o"I
Of the butcher and blacksmith, so he
FASTENED to leave the spot. not without
some abusive language to his neigh
bors: but the cross had begun TO weigh
more heavily upon his shoulder than he
at first supposed.
The unfortunate Robert seemed des-
tined this day TO provoking encounters
for he had gone but few steps when ne
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
behnd HIN His fears were soon reallz'
ed he had scarcely passed the school
house door when long shout was
heard. and fifty scholars at least besan
70 pursuc him and point at him. throw
inc up their caps in the air.
Look. look 2 exclaimed one; there
is a sheep marked for tie butcher
Don't you see, replied another 1t
is a Crusader just setting out for Pales-
tine
And the shouting and laughter re-
commenced more loudly.
Hone became pale with anger; he
turned like a cross dog pursued by chill
dren. and perhaps would have cruelty
reyenced 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, com
plaining of hls pupils as being insolent'
Mr. Johnson replied that he would not
for the world encourage impertlnence IN
Them. but that the white cross that he
had on his back might make wiser peo-
pie than boys laugh.
.n hat is this cross to you" replied
Robert. Grossly. Is not my back my
own properly"
The schoolmaster smilingly assented
and Hope went on his way, But the
cross was growing heavier and heavier.
He began to think it would not be so
easy to pay his rent in this manner. 30
much raillery had already been heaped
unon him. what would it be if the cause
were known? His landlord might as
well have written on his back a receipt
IN full.
As he reflected thus Robert arrived
Of the tavern. He was passing BY when
ho nerceived Mr.. Taylor himself at a
.f.w naces distant, and on either side his
ro;obbor Hullins, dragging his wooden
leo and couversing with Harry Stokes,
the carpenter. Harry Stokes was the
wit Of the village, and Hope would not
have encountered him before Hullins fol
ANYTHING. He therefore took refuge in