Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-01-24
A HEAVY BURDEN.

] words haQ Oeen auQrPSSeu, turned
from the ledger and looked to-
wards the speaker Clarence was
young man, not more than 90
and he was book keeper TO Solo
mon Wardle, pleasant-faced,
! keen-eyed man OF 80, who had
| spoken.
"A heavy burden, isn't it Cla-
rence?1 he repeated.
And still the young man was
silent. His looks indicated tsat
he did not comprehend. 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 will
grow heavier and heavier the
longer you carry it,
"Mr. Wardle. do not compre-
bend YOU
"Ah, Clarence -
II certainly do not.
Didn't call at your house for
| you this morning.
Clarence nodded assent.
"And didn't | see and h ear
enough to reveal to me the bur.
| den yoa took with you when you
left? You must remember, my
boy, that | am older than you are,
| and tina: | have been through the
mill You find your burden heavy,
and I've no doubt that Sarah's
heart is as heavily laden as your
| own
And then Clarence Spencer I'M
derstood, and the mornings scene
was present with him, as it had
been present with him since leav-
ing home. On that morning he
had a dispute with his wife. 1t
| had occurred at the breakfast ta-
BILE. There is no need of repro
ducing the scene. Suffice it TO say
that it had come of mere moth
ing, and had grown a cause of an
ger. The first had been a look and
tone; then flash of impotence
then pising of the voice; then
another look the voice grew high
er, the reason was unhiDged'; pas
sion gained sway, 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 Ouly the passing tor
nado. And Clarence remembered
that Mr.. Wardle had entered the
house and caught a sight of the
storm.
And Clarence Spencer thought
of one thing more; he thought
how miserable he had been all the
morning; and he knew not how
long his burden of unhappiness
was to be borne
| Honestly, Clarence, isn't it a
heavy and thankless burden ?''
The book-keeper knew that his
employer was his friend and that
| he was a true hearted christian
man, and after a pause he answer
ed: Eyes, Mr.. Wardle, it is a
heavy burden"
"My boy, l am going to venture
upon bit of fatherly counsel, /
hope / shall not Offend"
| mot at ALL" said Clarence. He
WINGED a little, as though the pro-
bling gave him new pain.
"In the first place." pursued the
old man, with culver of emotion
in his voice, "you love your wife,
Love her? Yes, passionately.'
"And do you think she loves
you in return?"
| II don't think anything about
i'll know"
"You know she loves your"
ayes"
"Then you must admit that the
trouble of this morning came from
no ill-feeling at heart::"
"Of course not"
at was but surface squall, for
which you, at least, are very
sorry ?"
A moments hesitation, and
then
Eyes. yes; / am heartily.sorry."
Nov mark me, Clarence, and
answer honestly. Don't you think
your wife is as sorry as you are?'
Il cannot doubt it.'
Sand don't you think she is
sufferg all this timer
Yes"
Every well, Let that pass. You
know she is bearing part of the
burden?"
Eyes, know that"
"And now, my boy do you
comprehend where the heaviest
part of this burden is lodged?"
Clarence looked upon his inter-
locutor wonderingly.
"If the storm had all blown over,
and you know that the sun would
shine when you next entered your
home, you would not feel so I'M