The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-02-11
Select Sturp.
A HEAVY BURDEN.


Rather a heavy burden, isn't it my
boy?n
Clarence Spencer. to whom the words
had been addressed. turned from the ledger
and looked toward the speaker. Clarence
was Young man-but more than 25-and
he was bookkeeper to Solomon Wardle, a
pleasant-faeed, keen-eyed man of 90 who
had spoken.
a heavy burden, isn't it?' 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 bend
ing over the ledger, with his thoughts far
away; and that his thoughts We're not pleas
ntones, was evident enough from the gloom
on his handsome face.
MY boy, the burden is not only heavy
now. but il will grow heavier and heavier
the longer you carry it.
Mr. Wardle, donot comprehend you. =
s'Ah Clarenceg7
II certainly do rot
.sDidn't I call at your house for you this
morning?
Clarence nodded assent
And didn't | see and hear enough 10
reveal to me the burden you took with you
when you leff2 You must remember. my
boy, that ann older than you are, and that
/ have been through the mill You find
your burden heavy, and I've nc doubt that
Sarah's heart is ~ heavily laden as your
nNn
And then Clarence Spencer understood;
a,,d The usnings scene was present with
~ been present with him since
On that morning he had
tiSE iSss wife. 1t had occurred at
8c breakfast table There i no need of
reproducing the scene Suffice it TO say it
had come uf a mere nothing, and had grown
a cause of anger The first had been
hsek and tone; then & fash Of impatience
then rising Of the voice, then another
look; the voice grew higher; then 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 remember
ed that Mrs Wardle had entered the house
and caught sight Of the storm.
And Clarence Spencer Thought of one
thing more; he thought how miserable he
had been al the morning; and he knew not
Row long his burden Of unhappiness was to
be borne
Honestly, Clarence, isn'tit heavy and
thankiess burden r
The bookkeeper knew that his employer
was bis friend and that he was q true-heart-
cd Christian man. and, after pause, he
answered, Yes Mr. Wardle. il is a heavy
burden
my boy, ! am going to venture upon
bit Of fatherly counsel. hope shall not
offend
Not at all, said Clarence. He WINGED
a little, as though the probing gave him
new pain.
In the first place pursued the old
lnan. with quiyer Of emotion in his voice,
s.you love your wife2'
Love her? Yes, passionately
.sAnd do you think she loves you in re-
turn21
Il don't think anything about til
know &
You know she loves youg
4Yes.
s'Then you must admit that the trouble
of this morning came from no jll-feefing at
heart n
AA0f course not.
1T was bat surfaee-squall, fas which
you, at least, are very sorry2
A moments hesitation, and theB-"Yes.
yes; am heartily sorry.
@Now mark me, Clarence. and answer
hoaestly; Don't you think your wife is as
sorry as you are
Il cannot doubt it,
-And don't you think she is suffering
all this time?"
-Yes.
aVery vel. Let that pass. You know
she is bearing part of the burden?''
-Yes. know that
And now, nay boy, do you comprehend
where the heaviest part Of the burden is
lodged2"
Clarence looked upon his interloeutor
wonderingly.
AIf the storm had blown over, and you
knew that the sun would shine when you
next enter your home, you would not feel
so unhappy
Clarence assented-
"But continued Mr.. Wardle, you fear
that there viii be gloom in your home when
you return?f
The young man bowed his head as he
replied in the affirmative
Because the merchant added, with
touch Of parental sternness in his tone, you
are resolved to carry it there!
Clarence looked up in surprise.
aI-I carry it
AYE; you have the burden in your
heart and you mean to carry it home.
Remember, my boy, know all about it. |
have been very foolish in my lifetime, and
have suffered, until | discovered my folly,
and then resolved that would suffer no
more Upon looking the matter squarely
and honestly in the face, | found that the
burdens which had so CALLED me had been
self-imposed OF course. such burdens can
be thrown Off Now yon have resolved you
will 90 to dinner with heavy heart and
dark face. You have no hope that your
wife will meet you with asmile. Andwhy?
Because YOU know that she has no partic-
ular cause for smiling. You know that her
heart is burdened with the affiiction which
gives you so much unrest And you are
fully assured that you are to find your home