Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-03-29
SELFISH JOHN CLARK.


of the intense heat, and there was more
singing done by the mos quitoes than
by the human species.
John Clark sat by an open window,
where what breeze there was came in
and kept him comparatively comfort
able; and then he had on clean linen
suit, which his wife had washed and
ironed that day, notwithstan ding 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
so much as drop of rain. He was
well, strong, prosperous and therefore
happy.
The ride home was charming, and
as the new horse took them through
Cairnley Woods, with sure, fleet feet,
he felt that life was very bright, and as
be thought of Brother Whites remarks
about weary burdens and 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
subject 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. 81 hope we shall all take
heed 10 his well-timed Words
81 think of hiring Tom Burch as a
sort of spare hand or call-poy general
ly. | find this hot weather takes the
starch out of me-" John said, as the
horses trotted through the cool pine
grove, and ffickers of moonlight"
"Will you board him ?" asked Mary
Clark, in constrained voice, with the
memory of her husbands exhortatiofs
still ringing in her mind.
"Of course. Iwant him evenings to
take the horses when we come hCm e
from meeting, or if / have friends out.
1t is rather hard to 60 to work directly
after one gets home"
"You are going to hire him to help
bear some of your burdens" said Mary
III the same nalu voice.
"Just SO, wife. 1t stands NE In hand
to practice if | preach; don't you say
sow
81 do! I am glad you are going to
have help; as you say, it Is hard to 60
to work the minute you get home.
have been foolish enough to have this
ride spoiled by thinking of bread tc
mix, two baskets of clothes to fold be-
fore | sleep, for the ironing tomorrow
and dinner to get for four hungry men,
and baby to care for."
Don't crowd to-morrows, burdens
into this present ride. And it seems tC
me it would be better to get all the
house-worK done before meeting time
eff l could; but that is imposs BILE
milk to strain, and dishes to wash
Benny and baby to put 10 bed-al
these duties come together; and then
am tired enough to go to bed my.
telf."
"Take it easy, Mary; keep cool, a.
void all the hot work you can"
81 wish l could have a girl to helf
me, John?"
Mother used to ssyt hat 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 [ could afford
gi1l. Do what you can, and leave
some things undone; that's the way to
work it, and John sat back with a
satisfied air, and Mary thought of her
husbands glowing words in prayer
meeting.
81 will do what 7 can," said Mary in
weary voice. "What / am obliged
to do is much beyond my strength.
The three meals come near together,
the washing and ironing must be done,
baby shall not be neglected, and OF
course | must keep the clothes we'll
mended."
''One thing at time is the way to
think of the duties. Pick up all the
comfort you can as you go along. /
have made up my mind to do so in the
future"
$50 | see by your thinking of having
an extra hand"
eyes, / feel that must take care of
my health for your sake and the chill
dren's
"Certainlyp Mary answered in a
sarcastic tone; show thoughtful you
are for u.s."
John made no further comment, but
inwardly wished that PRAYER meetings
did Mary the good they had once done,
and wondered why his wife had so
changed.
81 am going with squire Town to see
new reaper he says he hardly wants
to buy without my opinion" This was
the next day.
John left his wife ironing with the
half sick baby sitting at the table in the
company of an army of flies, and, la
spite of the home-scene enjoyed his
ride along the pleasant, shaded road,
we'll pleased to be seen in company
with such big man of the town. AT
supper time, ne came home with q new
reaper tied behind the wagon.
"By buying two, we made hand
some saving, and as I had to buy one,
1 thought | might as well take it now"
he remarked by way of explanation
at will save time and strength, and
pay for itself in a year."
Mary made no comment, but set her
teeth tightly together when she re-
membered that she had asked in vain
for something to make her work easier. |