The daily gazette., 1879-01-06

,
gan to speak TO him on business; bu,
hardly had he commenced, when old
Peggy Turton arrived, in her plaid
gown and blue apron.
'Mercy Mr.. Hope" exclaimed she
taking up her apron, "what is that OF
you back 2"
Robert turned to tell her to let him
alone, but the blacksmith then per
ccived the mark made by Mr.. Tay.
lor.
Heaven" said he, laughing, "he
might serve for q sign to tho White
| Cross"
81 suppose" said the butcher. "tba
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
IRON the apron OF peggy, and the jokes
OF the butcher and blacksmith, 40 he
FASTENED to leave the spot, not withoat
some abusive language to his naighbors
| but the cross had begun to weigh more
heavily upon his shoulders than he had
at first supposed.
| The unfortunate Robert seemed des-
| tined this day to provoking encounters,
for he had gone but a few steps when he
| found himself opposite the sehool-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 he
hind him. His fears were soon realized;
he had scarcely passed the school honse
door when long shout was heard, and
fifty scholars at least began to pursue
INN and point at him, throwing their
caps in the air
"Look, look" exclaimed one there
is sheep marked for the butcher"
''Dont you see,' replied another, "it
Is crusader just setting out for Pales-
tine"
And the shouting and laughter recon-
menced more Loudly.
Hope became pale with anger he turn
ed Ike cross dog pursued by children,
and,perhap- wouldhave cruelly'revenged
himself on his young prosecutors, had
not Mr.. Johnson, the schoolmaster. sud
deuiy at the door of his house.
Robert adyanced toward him, COM
plai g. his pupils AZ being insolent,
Mr.. Johnson replied that he would not
for the world encourage Impertinence in
them. but that the white cross which he
had IN his back might make wiser peo-
pie than boys laugh.
"W hat liz this cross to you ." replied
Robert Grossly. SIS not my back my own
property"
he schoolmaster smiliDgly assented,
and Hope went on his way. But the
cross was growing heavier and heavier.
He began to think that il would not be
so easy to pay his rent in this manner.
So much raillery had already been heap
ed upon him, what would it be If the
cause were known" His landlord might
~ well have written on his back re-
ceipt in full.
As he reflected thus, Robert arri we'd at
the tavern. He was passing by when he
perceived Mr.. Taylor himself at few
PAGES distance, and on the other side his
neighbor Hullins, dragging his wooden
leg, and conversing with Harry Stokes,
the carpenter. Harry Stokes was the
wit of the village, aud Hope would not
have encountered him before Hullins for
the world. He therefore took refuge in
the tavern
But the place was not long tenable.
The drinkers did not fail to perceive the
cross, and to rally Hope. who grew an
CRY; the quarrel became violent and the
innkeeper, fearing some serious result,
turned Robert out of doors.
The latter had left home with the in
tentlon of examining some work which
had been offered to him in neighboring
village, but his mind had been NO dis
turbed by old Fox, Patty Stevens, the
blacksmith, the butcher, Reggy Turton,
and the school-boys, that he resolved to
return home, thinking that woulu be,
after all, the most peaceabls place.
Have you ever seen in the month of
September, young partridge, the last of
The brood, nuttering along through the |
fields with wounded wing? Such was
Robert on his way to his home at the |
other end of the village. Now he walk !
Ell rapidly lest he should be overtaksn,
now slowly 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 gipsy |
who Las stolen IA chicken from "A farmers |
poultry yard At this moment the white |
cross was AN in,upporlable weight.
AT last he reached his dwelling, and |
this time hoped to find n little rest. But |
as soon i,s h5 wife perceived him she be-
gan TO cry out:
Are you NOT ashamed to come back as
you went" Five or six of our Deighbors
have asked me If you hal lost your
senses Quick let me rub OUT that
cross -
Away, woman" !" exclaimed Robert,
you shall not remain so, Hope; |
will not have any one belonging to me
so rid culons. Take OFF that Jacket take
1t ont tins minute, | tell you"
As she spoke thus, Mrs. Hope attempt |
ed 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 |
scufle between the two, to the great |
scandal # the neighbors who ran to sep |
ara'e ti.in.
Every body blamed Robert, who, when !
he became calm, understanding that |
there was no hope of rest or peace for |
him otherwise, effaced the cross of his |
own accord.
The Nj onday following he carried his |
rent to the house of his landlord.
"Ab ah! Robert" said Mr.. Taylor, on |
him, 81 thought you would |
soon repent of your bargain. This is |
good lesson for envious and impatient |
who are necessarily COM
planning of God and of life. Remember |
this, ii pc; He who has creatsi us has |
our burdens to our strength. |
DO not complain of being less fortunate |
than others, for you know not the suffer |
ings OF your neighbor. All crosses are 1
heavy the way to render them light il |
to bear them with patience, courage and |
good will.
THE business depression has extended
10 Belgium and Sweden. Both of these
are largely engaged in the iron