The Red Cloud chief., 1879-02-06
rmE HEAVY CROSS.

Robert Hope and Samuel Huiiins hsd
lhvcd neighborr for more than twelve
years; and u 10 probable they would al.
vays have been on good terms. had M,
Samuel. wbo had served under Admiral
Nslson, gained nj Trafalgar a small
pension. which he had paid for by the
iss of one ~ bis legs, this leg less. and
this pension moro. were for Robert a
continual source of jealousy; he sccu..
81 fate for having left him his two feet.
and complained bitterly that he had not
keen able. as he said. a. sell his legs q,
tne same price with Hullips. Every
time be went Ia pay his rent, he repeat
"a grumblinPly that his noigbbo was
vvry fortunate, that he was In n copdi.
lion IN meet his bills. since the king
gavc him n good pension; while be-.
poor fellow. had hard work "a make
bcah ends ~ tho year meet, without
taxing Into account his creditors.
Robert nj trst contentcd himself with
making these reflections Inwardly. but
~ degrees his dissatisfaction WAS or
pvs~sed aloud. aud became his habitual
and favoritc theme ~ conversation.
Ono week that his rent had fallen be-
Mainland. and he was sadly advancing
inward the house Of Mr.. Taylor. In or
6es " make his for the delay.
~ met ncighbor Hulilns. who was ns
regular ~ n clock In paying his rent.
end had just been for that purpose.
The very sight of Samuel produced
a. Robert the effect of u III of sickness;
-. whom he bowed In reply 10 the IN
lsee ef Hullins. his glance singulArly
rssemblcd that 81 d bull shaking his
horns n n dog.
Arrived nj the house of tho propris.
w. Hope did not fall 10 bo rcprimand.
ID; the example 81 his ncighbor WAS
uatsd. Who always paid punotuAlly. and
V the last penny.
syes. yes.'' murmurcd Robert; ''somc
vsePls are born with silver spoons In
SAstr mouths. Hullins Ii very fortu.
sate. and ! am not surprised that he
pays punotually with such 4 pension"
"hullins has q pension. u II true"
replied Mr.. Taylor 'but his inarmity
y . heavy cross, and II You WERE nj.
GiSssd with It. should pity you much
nosr."
mot So" said Hope. III had been
% fortunate M 10 lose q leg. like him.
tuvaty years ago. u would have becn a
p~fuctive day for me. ! would soil nll
ny limbs at the same price. do you
sall hiA oak leg u heavy CROSSE think
Ak pension should render u light The
heaviest cros that I know " II 10 Ia
obliged Ia labor necessarily"
Nc T.x1.s xUa. I. ...a -. ... L..
NOR. but q close observer, Hc had foI
. long time noticed the cnvious dispo.
sitkcn of Robert, and resolved Ia CON,
shnsv him that the lightcst cross might
kscomc heavy u n d~lscontcntcd mind.
al scc." said he 10 Hope. ''that yo,
ere disposed Ia do nothing, wcll'
viii exempt YOU from this obligation ;,
Abor II which you complain ~ bittcr,
y; u you think tho cross of your neigh
kor Samuel M easy to bear. win YOU nc
ssPs . lighter n u | engage to Civ,
yua year rcntf"
THAT depends upon what kind III ,
svuss II H." said Robert anxiously; a.,
- feared that tho proposition would
~ BE- acceptable.
This" said Mr.. Taylor, taking .
ptsce of chalk and tracing n white eros,
- Roberts Jacket "iSuring the tim,
sAaA you wcar this ] shsll not demand
Pasuy Of your rent"
Ilope thought Mt fret that his land
lr6 Was jcsting; but being assured
Nse he spoke seriously. he exclaimed
by st. Georgel you may say thAI
ycs have seen my last money, for
9. Willing to wear this o all my
ufsSime."
1nbert Immediately went out, DON
Circulating himself ON his fortune, ant
lasHAing all along the road nj the foil,
a Mr.. Taylor. who had lot him or .,
sheaply from paying his rcnt
Ne had Q 81 boon ~ joyous IA n
Ne moment Of returning home; IA h,
hand nothing IA complain u. aud hll
dog came TO sit down al his feet withouI
lslng punished for his familiarity.
~ he seated himself ON hts nrriva
~ wife did not at first notice the whit,
auss which he had upon his shoulder
hss having passed her husband to win,
up the clock, she suddenly cxclaime,
n . shrill voice,
"why. Robert, where have you been
You have on your back q cross q foo
1pag. You have been nj the tavern. an,
se1s drunkard among your friends hal
peAyed you y trick TO make you lool
staicalous. Get up and let me brusl
- this cross"
~AwAyr exclaimed Hope. hastily
ny clothes do not need your brush
~. Go knit your stockings, and 10
~ alone"
'sThAt shall not bel" exclaimed Mrs
Hope. In . voice more shrill. IL will
ans have my husband become the laugh
ing stock at the whole village. and II
ssar your jacket TO pieces. you shall no
wear that ridiculous cross"
~ she spoke thus. the wife attempt
u - brush Roberts shoulder; and IN,
inter who knew that resistance woul,
- useless, walked off. shutting the doc
sftsr him violently.
.what a furyf' mut,ered he. rs h,
usat away. IF she had been NOR
esssle. would have told her Of m,
} good fortune; but she does no, deserve
b know t."
.'Oh' Oh. Robertr' exclaimed oil,
box. II the moment when Hope turne,
We corner Of his house. "what 10 tina
white o on your bsckr'