The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-04-24

As she spoke thus, the wife attempted
to brush Roberts shoulder and The latter,
who knew that resistance would be useless,
walked OF, shutting the door after him
violently.
"What a fury muttered he, as he
went away. "If she had been more gen
tie, ! would have told her Of my good for
tune; but she does not deserve to know It. :"
"Ohl Oh Robert p exclaimed old
Fox, at the moment when Hope turned
the corner Of his house, "what is that white
cross on your back ?"
"Fake care Of your own clothes" inso.
lently replied Hope going his own way.
"Mr. Hope, said little Patty Stevens,
the grocers daughter, "stop one minute,
If you please, that | may rub out that great
white cross you have on your shoulder"
"Go and sell your herrings, lazy CIR" :"
replied Robert, "and do not concern your
self about the passeTs-by."
The little girl, silebeed, hastened to TO-
enter her mothers shop.
At this moment Hope arrived at the
house Of the butcher, who was conyersins
on the threshold with his neighbor, the
blacksmith.
"You are just the man wanted, said
the latter, stopping Robert; aud he began
to speak TO him on business but hardly
had he commenced when old Peggy Tur-
ton arrived in her plaid gown and blue
apron.
"Merey, Mr.. Hopel' exclaimed she,
taking up her apron, "whati is that on your
back ?"
Robert turned to tell her to let him
plone, but the blacksmith then perceived
the mark made by Mr.. Taylor
"Heavens !" said he, laughing, "he
might serve for sign to the White Gross. y
81 suppose, said the butcher, shat his
wife has marked him for fear Of losing
him"
He felt that there was for him but one
method Of escaping at the same time from
the apron Of Peggy aud the jokes Of the
butcher and blacksmith, so he hastened to
leave the spot, not without some abusive
language to his neighbors but the cross
had begun to weigh more heavily upon his
shoulders than he at first supposed.
The unfortunate Robert seemed destined
this day to provoking encounters; for he
had gone but few steps when he found
himself opposite the school-house. School
was just out, and the scholars were at this
moment issuing from the door, ready for
any fun that might present itself. Hope
was terribly uneasy, and imagined he al
ready heard cries behind him. His fears
were soon realized he had scarcely passed
the school-house door when long shout
was heard, and fifty scholars at least be-
gan to pursue him and point at him
throwing up their caps in the air.
"Look, look y exclaimed one, "tberC
is sheep marked for the butcher"
"Don't you see, replied another, "it il
a Crusader just setting out for Palestine
And the shouting and laughter recon
menced more loudly
Hope became pale with anger, he turned
like cross dog pursued by children, aud
perhaps would have cruelty revenged him
self on his young prosecutors, had not Mr.
johnson, the schoolmaster, suddenly ap
peared at the door Of his house.
Robert advanced toward him, complain
ing Of his pupils as being insolent. Mr.
johnson replied that he would not for the
world encourage impertinence in them, buI
that the white cross that he had on hi,
back might make wiser people than boys
laugh.
"What is this cross to you q replied
Robert Grossly. 'Is not my back my owl
property?'
The schoolmaster smilingly asssnted ant
Hope went on his way. But the cross
was growing heavier aud heavier.
Ho began to think il would not be S,
easy to pay his rent in this manner. 81
much railery had already been heapeC
upon him, what would It be if the eaus,
were known His landlord might as vel
have written on his back receipt in full
As he reflected thus Robert arrived Al
the tavern. He was passing by when b,
perceived Mr.. Taylor himself at few
PAGES distant, aud to one side his neigh
Dor Hullins, dragging his wooden leg auC
cOnversing with Harry Stokes, the carpcn
ter Harry Stokes was the wit of the vii
lage, and Hope would not have encoun
tered him before Hullins for anything
He therefore took refuge 10 the tavern.
But the place was not long tenable
The drinkers did not fail to perceive th,
cross, aud to rally Hope, who grew angry
The auarel became violent, and the inn
keeper, fearing some serious result, turneC
Robert out Of aeors.
The latter had left home with the 10
tention Of examining some work whicl
had been offered to him in neighborin.
village, but his mind had been so disturbe,
by old Fox, Patty Stevens, the blacksmith
the butcher, Peggy Turton and theschool
boys, that be resolved to return home
thinking that would be, after all, the mos
peaceable place.
Have you ever seen, ia the month o
September, a young partridge, the last o
his brood, futteriug along through tn
fields with a broken wing? Such wa
Robert on his way to his home at the othe
end Of the village. Now be walked rapid
ly lest he should be oyertaken, now slowll
lest he should meet some one; now 10 th,
roads, now in the fields, gliding benin,
the bushes, climbing walls, and stunning
glanees like gypsy who had stole
chicken from farmer poultry yard. A
this moment the white cross was an insup
portable weight.
At last be reached his dwelling, and thi
time hoped to find little rest. But a
soon as his wife perceived him she begar
to cry out:
"Are you not ashamed TO come back q
you went2 Five or six Of our neighbor
have asked me it you had lost your senses
Quick let uie rub out that cross y
Away, woman, exclaimed Robert, ex
asp0ratcd.
"You shall not remain so, Hope; vii
not have anything belonging to me 50 ri
diculous. Take off that jacket take
of this minute, | tell you T.
As she spoke thus, Mrs Hope atiempte,
to seize her husbands arm, but the latte
rudely repulsed her. Mr. Hope, who Wi
not remarkable for patience, replied by