Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-10-02
his wife has marked him thus for fear

of losing 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 FASTENED to leave
the spot, not without some abusive
language to his neighbors but the
cross had begun to weigh more heay-
lily upon his shoulders than he had at
first supposed.
\ The unfortunate Robert seemed
destined this day TO provoking en-.
counters, for be 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 present itself.
Hope was terribly uneasy, and mag
lned he already heard cries behind
him. His fears were soon realized
he had scarcely passed the school
house door when a loud shout was
heard, and fifty scholars at least be
gan to pursue him and point at him,
throwing up their caps in the air.
Look, look = exclaimed one there
is sheepmarked tor the butcher
Don't you see p replied another /;
'it is crusader just setting out for
Palestine
And the shouting and laughing re
commenced more loudly.
Hope became pale with anger. He
turned like cross dog pursued by
children, and, perhaps, would have
cruelty revenged himself on his young
prosecutors had not Mr.. johnson, the
schoolmaster, suddenly appeared at
the door OF his house.
Robert advanced toward him, com.
planning of his pupils as being inso-
lent. Mr.. Johnson replied that he
would not for the world encourage
,mpertinence 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 p re-
piled Robert, Grossly. is not my
back my own property
The schoolmaster smilipgly assent.
ed, and Hope went on his way. But
the cross was growing heavier and
heavier He began to think that it
would not be easy to pay his rent in
this manner. So much raillery had
had been heaped upon him, what
would it be if the cause were known.
His landlord might as well have
written on his back receipt in full
As he reflected thus, Robert ar.
rived at the tavern. He was passing
by when he perceived Mr.. Taylor
himself at a few PAGES distant, and
on the other side his neighbor HUI.
Inns dragging his wooden leg and con-
versing with Harry Stokes, the car
penter. Harry Stokes was the wit of
the village, and Hope would not have
encountered him before Hullins for
the world. He therefore took refuge
i'll 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 vio-
lent, and the inn keeper, fearing some
serious result, turned Robert ont of
/ doors.
1 The latter had left home with the
intention of examining some work
which was offered TO him in a neigh
boring village, but his mind had been
so distorted by old Fox, Patty Ste.
vens, the blacksmith. the butcher,
Peggy Turton and the boys 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
las. of the brood, fluttering along
through the fields with wounded
wing? Such was Robert on his way
to the other end of the village. Now
he walked faster, lest he should meet
some one; now in the road, now in
the fields, gliding behind the bushes,
climbing the walls, and stunning
glances like a gypsy who has stolen a
chicken from a poultry yard. At this
moment the white cross was an in
supportable weight.
AT last he reached his dwelling,
and this time hoped to find a little
rest. But as soon as his wife per-
ceived him she began to cry out:
Are you not ashamed to come
back as you went? Five or six of
our neighbors have asked me if you
have lost your senses. Quick let
me rub out that crossr
Away, womann exclaimed Robert.
exasperated.
you shall not remain so, Hope; |
will not have any one belong to me
so ridiculous. Take off that Jacket
take it off this minute, tell you =
AS she spoke thus Mrs. Hope at.
tempted to seize her husbands arm !;
but the latter rudely repulsed her
Mrs. Hope, who was not remarkable
for patience, replied by blow, and
the result was a scufiie between the
two,to the great scandal of the neigh
Oorhood, who ran to separate them.
| Everybody blamed Robert, who,
when he became calm, understanding
that there was no hope of rest or
peace for him otherwise, etfaced the
cross of bis own accord.
The Monday following he carried
his rent to the house of his landlord.
'Ah ali ! Robert said Mr.. Tay-
lor on perceiving him, & thought you
would soop repent your bargain.
This is good lesson for envious and
impatient dispositions, who are in.
cessantly complaining. Do not CON-
plain of being less fortunate than
others, for you know not the suffer
ing of your neighbor. All crosses
are heavy; the way to render them
light is to bear them with patience,
COURAGE and uood will