Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-04-02
A Heavy Burden.

Rather heavy burden, isn't it, my
boy?"
Clarence Spencer, to whom the words
had been addressed, turned from the
ledger, and looked toward 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, 4"
the merchant repeated.
And still the young man was silent.
His looks 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 handsome
face.
My dear boy, the burden is not
only heavy now, but it will grow heav.
Ter and heavier the longer you carry it."
"Mr. Wardle, I do not comprehend
you."
"Ah, Clarence /"
I certainly do not"
Didn't I call for you at your house
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
remember, my boy, that 1 am older
than you are, and that I have been
through the mill. You find your bur-
den heavy, and I've no doubt that
Sarah's heart is az heavily laden as your
own"
And then Clarence Spencer under
stood and the mornings scene was
present with him, as it had been pres
emit with him since leaving home. On
that morning he had dispute with b is
wife. 1t had occurred at the breakfast
table. There is no need of reproducing
the scene. Suffice it to say that it had
come of mere nothing and had grown
cause OF anger. The first had been
look and tone then fash of impa-
tlence then raising of the voice {;
then another look the voice grew
higher; the reason was unhinged :;
passion gained way and the twain lost
sight OF the warm, enduring love that
lay smitten and aching down deep in
their hearts, and felt for the time only
the passing tornado. And Clarence re-
membered that Mr.. Wardle had en-.
tered the house and caught sight of
the storm.
And Clarence Spencer thought of one
thlng more; he thought how miserable
ne had been all the morning and he
knew not how long his burden of un-
happiness was to be borne.
Honesty, Clarence, isn't it heavy
and thankless burden?"
The book-keeper knew that his EN-.
ployer was his friend and that he was
atrue-hearted Christian man and after
9 pause, he anewered: Eyes. Mr.,
Wardle. 1t is heavy burden"
MY boy, am going to venture upon
oit OF fstiherly counsel, I hope shall
:" Not at ALL" said Clarence. He
WINGED little, as though the probing
gave him new pain.
In the first place, pursued the old
man, with a culver of emotion in his
voice, you love your wife,"
Love her? Yes, passionately."
And do you think she loves you in
return ?" 49,
III don't think anything about it
You know she loves your"
"Yes."
Then you must admit that the
trouble OF this morning came from no
ill-feeling at heart ?"
of course not"
1T was but a surface-squall, for
which you, at least, are very sorry"
A moments hesitation, and then
les, Yes am heartily sorry"
Now mark me, Clarence, and an
swer honestly. Don't you think your
wife is as sorry as you are? 2"
~ cannot doubt it."