Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-05-11
SELFISH JOHN CLARK.

SELFISH JOHN CLARK.
| The meeting was a good one in spite OF
the intense beat. and there was more sing.
ing done by mosquitoes than by the hui
man species.
John Clark sat by an open window where
what breeze there was came in and kept
him comparatively comfortable, and then
he had on clean suit which his wife had
washed and ironed that day, notwithstand
ing the mercury mounted high in the
nlneties, and its freshness was an addition.
al comfort.
His first crop of hay, much larger than
usual, had that day been put in his spaci-
GUS barns without damage by so much as
drop of rain. He was we'll. strong, pros.
porous, and therefore happy. The ride
home was charming, and as the new horse
took them through Chirnley Woods, with
sure, feet feet, he felt that life was very
bright and as he thought Of Brother
White remarks about weary burdens
fleet tired with the march of life,' he
concluded 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 ren arks her John had made
at tbs meeting. Bear We one another 3
burdens' had been the subjectof the even
ing's talk, aud Johns speech had been
listened to with evident relish.
'.Y our husband has the root of the mat
ter in him. said the pastor, as she passed
onta at ilope We shallsah taheheed to his
well-timed words - EE@
Il think of hiring Tom Birch as a sort
of spare hand and call boy generally. l
| fad this hot weather takes the starch out
of me-" John said, as the horse trotted
through the cool pine grove, amid fickers
of moonlight.
will you board him z" asked Mary
| Clark, in a constrained voice, with the
| memory of Ter husbands exhortatio.s
| still in mind.
"Of course. l want him evening tt
take the horse when we come from meet
Ing, or if have taken friend out. 1t il
rather hard to go to work directly one get
home."
you are to hire him to bear some O
your burdens" said Mary, IN the sam'
hard voice.
'.Just SO, wife. It stands me in hand t.
practice, if preach don't you say so =
II do. lam glad you are to have help
as you say, 1t is hard to go to work thu
minute you get home. l have been foolisi
enough to have this ride spoiled by think
ing of bread to mix, two baskets of clothe
to fold before l sleep. of the ironing to
morrow, and dinner to get for four hun
grv men, and baby to care for"
Don't crowd to-morrow's burdens int
this pleasant ride. And it seems to M
that it would be better to get all you
house-work done before meeting time.''
.'If could. but that is impossible; mill
to strain, dishes to wash. Benny and bah
to put to bed-all these duties come to
gether, and then am tired enough to &
bed myself"
'Take it easy, Marv !; keep cool, avoi
all the hot work you cam"
II wish l could have girl, John ~
"Mother used to say giI!s were more hin
drance than help. guess you would fin
them SO, and then they waste and brea
more than their wages. don't see how
can afford girl. Do what you can, an
leave some things undone; that's the wa
to work it, and John sat back with a ga
isfed air, and Mary thought of her hus
band Is glowing words In the prayermeet
ing.
ST will.do all can," said Mary, in
weary voice. "Wha5 am obliged to do
much beyond my strength. The thre
meals come near together, washing an
Ironing must be done, baby shall not b
neglected, and of course l must keep th
clothes we'll mended."
Zone thing at time is the way to thin
OF your duties. Pick up all the comfol
YOU can as you go along. have made u
my mind to do 30 in the future"
$50 see, by your thinking Of having a
extra hand.''
Eyes. feel that must take care c
4 my health for your sake and the Chi
.. dren."
"Certainly," Mary answered in sarcal
tic tone, ''how thoughtful you are fe
,, us!"
John made no further comment, but il
! wardly wished that prayer-meetings di
Mary the good they had once, and wonde
} ed why his wife was 8, changed.
" am going with Squire Towne to sc
: a reaper. he says he hardly wants to bu
without my opinion" This was ne1
day.
. John left his wife ironing, with the hal
. sick baby sitting by the liable in the con
pany of an army of flies; and in spite {
= the home scene, enjoyed his ride along til
: pleasant road. well pleased to be seen 6
i much with the great man of the town. A
supper time he came home with the ne
reaper behind the wagon.