Smyrna times., 1883-01-24
Selfish John Clark.

~ Iuo uumhn Sp6CleS'
John Clark sat by an open window,
where what breeze there was came in
md kept him comparatively comforta-
Die, and then he had ON a clean linen
Iuit which his wife had washed and
roned that day, notwithstanding the
mounted high in the nineties,
and its freshness was an additional
His first crop of hay, much larger
than usual, had that day been put in
his spacious barns, without damage by
so much as drop of rain. He was
we'll, strong, prosperous, therefore
happy.
The ride home was charming, and as
the new horse took them through |
Cairnly woods, with sure, feet feet, he
felt that life was very bright; and, he
thought of Brother Whites remarks
about weary burdens" I" feet 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 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
evident relish.
"Your husband has the root of the
matter in him." said the pastor as she
passed out. ~ hope we shall all take
heed to his well-timed words"
81 think of hiring Tom Birch as
sort of spare hand and call-boy gener-
ally. find this hot weather takes the
starch out of me-" John said, as the
horse trotted through the cool pine
grove, amid fiickers of moonlight.
"Will you board him ?" asked Mary
Clark in constrained voice, with the
memory of her husbands exhortations
still in mind.
"Of course. l want him evenings
to take the horse when we come from
meeting, or if 1 have taken friend
out. 1t is rather hard to have to go to
work directly one gets home"
6 You are to hire him to bear some
of your burdens" said Mary, in the
same hard voice.
" Just so, wife. 1t stands me in hand
to practice, if preach don't you say
SOP"
II do! am glad you have help
as you say, it is hard to go to work the
minute you get home. 1 have beer
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 burden
into this pleasant ride. And it seem
to me that it would be better to get al
your housewOrk done before meetin,
} time."
eff 1 could, but that is impossible
milk to strain, dishes to wash, Benn,
and baby to put to bed--all thes
. duties come together, and then ar
: tired enough to go to bed myself"
"Take it easy, Mary; keep COO
avoid all the hot work you can"
81 wish could have a girl, John !
r "Mother used to say girls were NOR
e hinderance than help. 1 guess yo
1 would find them so, and then the
4 waste and break more than the
wages. don't see how can afford
girl. Do what you can, and leay
some things undone; that's the way I
l. work it," and John sat back with
e satisfied air, and Mary thought of b,
t. husbands glowing words in the praye
= meeting. ..
e 81 will do all 1 can" said Mary in
ir wearied voice. "What 1 am obligC
k to do is very much beyond my strengt
j. The three meals come near togethe
n. washing and ironing must be don
20 baby shall not be neglected, and
le course I must keep the clothes we
v, mended."
h Zone thing at time is the way
n. think of your duties. Pick up all Il
e, comfort you can as you go along.
of have made up my mind to do SO in Il
,h future" 80 ..ii....5s,. ..... j..
O. $50 1 see by your thinking of havil
m an extra hand"
IT. Yes feel that must take care
Is, my health for your sake and t
i'd chlldren's." ar.-. r.t.... f..
nd Certainly" Mary answered in
at sarcastic tone, how thoughtful y
all are for us ~ .rs... .....
all John made no further comment,
nd inwardly wished that prayer-meetir
nd did Mary the good they had done on
SO and wondered why his wife had
la changed. 80 sat G3.t.0 .i 4. q.
,Ie ...i. Eaata.3 .-la4E l-,;, ..t.
IL. gag.H. I'd tg.t..u.>' ..L1tsis ~.
sly :" am going with Squire Towne