The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-11-06
THE HEAVY BURDEN.

"Rathcr heavy burden, isn't It, my
boy2"
Clarence Spencer, to whom the words had
been addressed, turned from the ledger, and
looked towards the speaker. Clarence was
young man-not more than five and
twenty-and he was book-kccper to Mr..
Solomon Wardlc, pleasant face, keen
eyed man of fifty, who had spoken.
GA heavy burden, isn't Clarence 2" the
merchant repeated.
And still tho young man was silent. Ills
looks indicated that hc did not compre-
hcnd. lie had been for some time bending
over the ledger, with his thoughts far away;
and TINT his thoughts wcrc not pleasant
ones, was evident enough from the gloom
Oh his handsome face
'sNIy dear boy, the burden Is not only
heavy now, but it will grow heavier and
heavier the longer you carry it,"
'N1r. Wardle, donot comprehend you. ~
"Ah, Clarcncc"
81 certainly no not"
."Didn't call at your house for you this
morning2"
Clarence nodded assent.
"And didn't see and hear enough to re-
veal to nc the burden that you took with
you when youlef3 Youmu remember, nv
boy, that l 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 as heavily laden rs your
own."
And then Clarence Spencer understood :;
and the mornings scene was present with
him, as it had been present with him since
leaving home On that morning he had a
dispute with his wife. 1t had occurred at
the breakfast table. There is no need of
reproducing tho scene. Suffice it to say
that 1t had como of mere nothing, and
had grown cause of anger. The first had
been look and tono; then flash of M
patience; then rising Of the voice then
another look; tho voice grew higher; the
reason was unhinged passion gained sway
and the twain lost sight Of tho warm, en-
during love that lay smittcn and aching
down deep in their hearts, and felt for the
tmo only the passing tornado. And Clar-
cnco remembered that Mr.. Wardlc had en-
tered the house and caught sight Of tho
storm.
And Clarence Spencer thought of one
thing more; he thought how miscrably un-
happy he had been all the morning and he
knew not how long his burden Of unhap-
pincss was to be borne
ktHnnootlv H1oropco {o,>St ~ Il
thanklcss burden2"
Tho boolk-kccper know that his employer
was his friend, and that he was true heart
Ell Christian man and, after pause, he an
swcred: eyes Mr.. Wardle, it is q heavy
burden.'
"My boy, am going to venture upon q
bit Of fatherly counsel. hopo shall not
Offend"
''Not at all," said Clarence. He WINGED
little. as though tho probing gave him
new pain.
SIN the first place." pursued tho old man,
with a culver Of emotion in his voice, "you
love your wifc9"
'Love hor3 Yes, passionately."
'And do you think sho loves you In re-
turna'
"I don't Mi,ab anything about it
knoWi"
"You k,ao,U she loves you2"
eyes"
''rhcn you must admit that tho trouble
of this morning came from no ill-fcoling at
hearti"
'sOf course not"
'sIt was but a slrfacc-squsll, which you,
At least, arc very sorry9"
A momont's hesitation, and then-''Yes'
yes am heartily sorry"
'sNow mark mo, Clarence, and answer
honestly y:A-Don't you think your wife Is as
sorry as you arc 2"
II cannot doubt 1t.
"And don't you think sho Is suffering all
this time I"
eyes"
every well. Let that pass. You know
she is bearing hor part Of tho burden z"
eyes, I know that"
sAnd now, my boy, do you comprehend
! where tho heaviest part Of this burden Ia
lodgcd9"n
Clarence looked upon his intorlocutor
;a,l%sss l%ssnderihgly
,quale 3 Il q