The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-05-19
1flisccl lanrnlts.
4 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 towards the speaker. Clarence was
q young man-nOt more than 2j-and he
was bookkeeper to Solomon Wardlc, plea
santfaced keen-eyed man Of 50, 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 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 evil
dent enough from the gloom on his handsome
face.
"NIy boy, the burden is not only heavy
now, but it will grow heavier and heavier
the longer you carry it,"
"NIr. Wardle, do not comprehend 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 hear enough to re-
veal to me the burden you took with you
when you left? You must remember, my
boy, that am older than you are and that
i have been through the mill. You find
your burden heavy, and I've no doubt that
Sarahs heart is as heavily laden as your
own"
And then Clarence Spencer understood
and the mornings scene was present with
him, us ii had been present with him since
leaving home. On that morning he had a
dispute with his wife. 1t had occurred at
the breakfast table. There is no need of re
producing the scene. Suffice it to say it had
come of a mere nothing, and had grown a
cause of anger. The first had been look
and tone; than n flash of Impotence; then a
rising of the voice; then another look; the
voice grew higher; then reason was unhing-
ed 4; passion 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 only the passing tornado
And Clarence remembered that Mr.. Wardle
had entered the house and caught sight of the
storm.
And Clarence Spencer thought ofone thing
more; he thought how miserable he had been
his burden of unhappiness was to be borne
"Honcstly, Clarence, isn't it n heavy and
thankless burden?"
The bookkeepcr knew that his employer
was his friend and that he was atrue-hearted
Christian man and, after pause, he answer
ed, "Yes, Mr.. Wardle, it is a heavy burden
MY boy, am going to venture upon q
bit of fatherly counsel. | hope | shall not
offend"
"Not at ALL" said Clarence. He WINGED O
little, as though the probing gave him new
| pain.
"In the first place." pursued the old man
with culver of emotion in his voice, 'yor
| love your wife"
| Love her Yes passionately.'
"And do you think she loves you in re
turn"
81 don't think anything about i'll know =
"You know she loves you?'
Eyes"
"Then YOU must admit that the trouble o
this morning came from no ill-teeling 4
heart ~
"Ofcourse not
at was but surface .squal, for which you
at least, are very sorry 2"
A moments hesitation, and them es
yes; am heartily sorry"
estly don't you think your wife is as sorr.
as you are?"
II cannot doubt it"
"And don't you think she is suffering al
this time?
"Yes"
Every well. Let that pass. You knoy
she is bearing part of the burden y
YES. know that"
"And now, my boy, do you comprehen
where the heaviest part of the burden
lodged?"
Clarence looked upon his interlocuto
wonderingly,
If the storm had blown over, and yoI
knew that the sun would shine when yo
next entered your home, you would not fee
so unhappy"