Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-12-05
A HEAVY BURDEN.

had been addressed, turned from the
ledger and looked towards the speaker.
Clarence was young man-not more
than twenty.tive-and he was book
keeper to Solomon Wardle, pleasant
faced, keen-eyed man of fifty, who had
spoken.
"A heavy burden, isn't it, Clarence?"
the merchant repeated.
And still tie young man was silent.
His Jocks indicated that he did not COM
prehend. He had been for some time
bending over the ledger, with his
thoughts far away; and that his thoughts
were not pleasant ones, was evident
enough from the gloom on his hand
some face.
my dear boy, the burden is not only
heavy now, but it will grow heavier and
heavier the longer you carry it,"
"Mr. Wardle, do not comprehend
you"
"Ah, Clarence"
81 certainly do not"
Didn't call at your house for you
this morning.
Clarence nodded assent.
"And didn't ! see and hear enough to
reveal to me the burden you took with
you when you left! You must re-
member, 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 Sarah's heart is
rs heavily laden as your own"
And then Clarence Spencer under
STOOD and the mornings scene was
present with him, as it had been pres
ent with him since leaving home. On
that morning he had dispute with his
wife. 1t had occurred at the breakfast
table. There is no need OF reproduc-
ing the scene. Suffice it to say that it
had come Of mere nothing, and he'd
grown u cause of anger. The first had
been look and tone; then u flash of
impotence; then raising of the voice;
then another look; the voice grew high
er; the reason was unhinged: passion
gained sway, and the twain lost sight of
the warm, endearing love that lay smit
ten and aching down deep in their
hearts, and felt for the time only the
passing tornado. And Clarence re-
membered that Mr.. Wardle had entered
the house and caught sight of the
storm.
And Clarence Spencer thought Of one
thing more; he thought how miserable
he had been all the morning; and he
knew not how long his burden of I'M
happiness was to be borne.
" Honestly, Clarence, isn't it a heavy
and thankless burden"
The book-keeper know that his en-
ployer was his friend and that he was a
true-hearted Christian man; and after
pause, he answered.: Yes, Mr.. Wardle,
it il heavy burden"
My boy, am going to venture upon
bit Of fatherly counsel, hope / shall
not Offend"
Mot at all, . said Clarence. He vino
ed a little, as though the probing gave
him new pain,
In the first place." pursued the old
man, with - culver of emotion in his
VOICE, "you love your wife?'
"Love her? Yes, passionately."
"And do you think she loves you in
return?'
81 don't think anything about til
know!"
"You know she loves your
Eyes"
"Then you must admit that the
trouble of this morning came from no
illfeeling at heart 2"
"Of course not"
"lt was but y surface-squall, for which
you, ut least, are very sorry ?"
A moments hesitation, and then
Yes, yes; am heartily sorry"
Nov mark me, Clarence, and an
swer honestly: Don't you think your
wife is as sorry rs you are?"
81 cannot doubt it,"
"And don't ynu think she is suffering
all this tme?"
Yes"
every well. Let that pass. You
know that she is bearing part of the
burden2'
"Yes, know that"
"And now, my boy, do you compre-
bend where the heaviest part of this
burden is lodged %
Clarence looked upon his interlocutor
wouderingly.
III the storm had all blown over,
and you knew that the sun would shine
when you next entered your home, you
would not feel SO unhappy
Clarence assented.
"But," continued Mr.. Wardle, you
fear that there will be gloom in your
home when you return?"
The young man bowed his head rs he
replied in the affirmative.
because" the merchant added, with
IL touch of parental sterness in his
tone, you are resolved to carry it
| there"
Clarence looked up in surprise.
IL carry il?"
aye; you have the burden in your
heart, and you mean to carry it home.
Remember, my boy, have been there,
and know all about it. | have been
very foolish III my lifetime, and l have
suffered, until discovered my folly,
and then | resolved that | would suffer
no more. Upon looking the matter
,quareIy and honestly in the face, |
found that the burdens which had so
CALLED me had been sel;-imposed. 0
course such burdens can be thrown oil
i Nav ynr have resolved Won will Oh III