Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-12-21
SELFISH JOHN CLARK.

The meeting was good one in spite
of the intense heat, and that there was
more singing done 10y mosquitoes than
by the human species.
John Clark sat 10y an open window,
where what breeze there was came in
and kept him comparatively comfort
able, and then he had on a clean linen
suit which his wife had washed and
ironed that day, notwithstanding the
mercury mounted high in the nineties,
and its freshness was an additional
comfort.
His first crop of hay, much larger
than usual, had that day been put in
his spacious barns without damage by
80 much as a drop Of rain. He was
well, strong, prosperous, therefore
happy.
The ride home was charming, and As
the new horse took them through
Cairnley woods, with sure, fleet feet.
he felt that that life was very bright
and, as he thought of Brother Whites
remarks about weary burdens" fleet
tired with the march of life" he con-
cluded that the aforesaid brother was
not in the enjoyment of religion.
Johns wife sat back in The carriage,
resting her tired body and turning over
in her mind the remarks her John had
made at the meeting. Bear We one
another's burdens" had been the sub
ject of the evenings talk, and Johns
speech had been listened to with evil
dent relish.
"Your husband has the root Of the
matter in him. said the pastor as she
passed out II hope we shall all take
heed TO his well-timed words"
II think Of hiring Tom Birch as a
sort Of spare hand and cau-boy gener-
ally. find this hot weather takes the
starch out of me-" John said, as the
horse trottcd through the cool pine
grove, amid fickers Of moonlight.
"wnl you board him?" asked Mary
Clark in n constrained voice, with the
memory of her husbands exhortations
still in mind.
"Of course. want him evenings to
take the horse when we come from
meeting, or ii ] have taken a friend
ont. 1t is rather hard to have to 60 to
work directly one gets home"
"You are TO hire him to bear some
of your burdens" said Mary, in the
same hard voice.
"Just so, wife. It stands me in
hand to practice, If preach don't
you say so?'
81 dol am glad you are to have
help; as you say, it is hard to GO to
work the minute you get home. / have
been foolish enough to have this ride
spoiled by thinking of bread to mix.
two baskets of clothes to fold before /
sleep, for the ironing tomorrow, and
dinner to get for four hungry men, and
baby to care for"
Don't crowd to-morrow's burdens
into this pleasant ride. And It seems
to me that 1t would be better to get all
your housework done before meeting
time"
"If could, but that is impossible;
milk to strain, dishes to wash. Benny
and baby to put to bed-all these duties
come together, and then am tired
- enough to go to bed myself"
'Take it easy. Mary; keep cool, avoid
Ill the hot work you can"
81 wish I could have a girl, Johnr'
ssMother used TO say girls were more
hindrance than help. i guess you
would find them so, and then they
waste and break more than their wages
/ don't see how can afford girl. Do
what you can, and leave some thing
undone: that's the way TO work IL,
and John sat back with satisfied air
and Mary thought Of her husbands
glowing words in the prayer-meeting
II will do all / can" said Mary in |
weary voice. "What I am obliged Z
do Is much beyond my strength. Th'
three meals come near together, wash