Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-03-03
SELFISH JOHN CLARK.


the intense heat, and there was more sing
ing done by the mosquitoes than the human
species.
John Clark sat by an open window, where
what breezes there was came in and KEPT
him comparatively comfortable; and then
he had ON a clean linen suit which his wife
had washed and ironed that day, notwith.
standing the mercury mounted high in the
ninaties. end 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 WE'LL strong, prosperous,
and therefore happy.
The ride home was charming, and as the
Woods, with sure, feet feet, he felt that lille
was very bright; and as he thought of Bro.
Whites remarks about weary burdens and
feet tired with the march of life, he conclud-
ed that the aforesaid brother was not in the
enjoyment of religion.
Johns wife sat back in the carriage, rest
ing her tired body and turning over i'll her
meeting. Bear ye 6us another's burdens, y
had been the subject Of the evening talk,
and Johns speech had been listened to with
evident relish:
"Your husband has 5be root of the matter
in him." said the pastor as she passed out.
~ hope we shall all take heed to his well
timed words"
~ think of hiring Tom Birch as sort OF
spare hand or call-boy generally. l find
this hot weather takes the starch out of ME, J"
John said, IS the horses trotted through the
cool pine grove, amid fiickels of moon
light.
"Will You board him." asked Mary Clark
in constrained voice, with the memory of
her husbands exhortations still in her mind.
"Of cottrse: / want him evenings 20 take
the horse when we come home from meet
ings, or if l have friend out. 1t is
rather hard to go to work directly one gets
home"
"You are going to hire him 10 help bear
some of your burdens" said Mary in the
same hard voice.
y
practice, if preach; don't you say sop
81 do Lam glad You are going to have
help; as yott say, 1t is hard to go to work
the minute you get horte. | have been
foolish enough to have this ride spoiled by
thinking of bread to mix, two baskets OF
clothes to fold before sleep, forsthe ironing
tomorrow, and dinner to get for four hun.
r..
"Don't crowd to-morrow's burdens into
this present ride. And it seems to me that
1t would be better to get all the house. work
done before meeting time"
eff cot1ld3 but that is impossible; milk
to strain, dishes to WASH Benny and baby
to but TO bed-all these duties come TO-
pether; ara then arm tired enough to go
o bed myself"
''Take it easy Mary, keep cool, svoid
all the hot work you can"
II wish I could have girl, John?'
Mother used to say girls were more him
drsnee than help. guess you would find
them so; and thsn they waste and break
more than their wages. dou'ts see how can
afford girl. Do what you can, aid leave
some things undone that's the way to work
it." and John sat back with satisfied air,
and Mary thought of her husbands glow
ing words in the prayer-meeting.
II will do what / can," said Mary in
weary voice. "What am Obliged to do is
much beyond my strength. The three
meals come near together, washing and
ironing must be done, baby shall not be
and of course, / must keep the
clothes well-mended."
zone thing at a time is the way to think
of your duties. Pick up all the comfort
you can as you go along. Inhave made up
my mind to do so in the future"
80 see by your thinking of having an
extra hand"
eyes, feel that must take care of my
health for your sake and the children's."
Certainly" Mary answered in sarcas-
tic tone; "how thoughtful you are for usl'
John made no further comment, but in
waldly 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 COM
pany of an army of flies, and, in spite OF the
home. scene, enjoyed his ride along the
pleasant shaded road, well pleased to be
seen in company with such big man ofthe
town. At time he came home with
the new reaper behind the wagon.
oBy taking two We made handsome
saving. and as I intended to buy one, !
thought / mi ght as well take it now, ne