Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-02-22
SELFISH JOHN CLARK.

The meeting was good one III spite
of the intense heat, and there was more
singing done by mosquitoes than by the
human species.
John Clark sat by an open window,
where what breeze there was came III
and kept him comparatively comforta-
bic. and then he had on n clean suit
which his wife had washed and ircned
that day, Notwithstanding the mercury
| mounted high III the nineties, and its
freshness was an additional comfort.
HIS first crop of hay, much larger
than usual, had that day been put III
his spacious BARNS without damage by
so much as a drop of rain. He was
we'll, strong, prosperous, and therefore
happy. The ride home was charming,
and as the new horse took them through
Chirnley Woods, with sure, fleet feet,
he felt that life was very bright; and as
he thought of Brother Whites remarks
about "wtary burdens" "feet tired
| with the march of lie, he concluded
that the aforesaid brother was not in
the enjoyment OF religion.
Johns wife sat back i'll the carriage,
resting her tired body and turning over
! in her mind the remarks her John had
made at the meeting. "Bear We one
anothers burdens" had been the subject
OF the evenings talk, and Johns speech
| had been listened to with evident rellsn.
sYour husband has the root OF the
raa+tar- IL linn Said-the pastor, as she
passed out. 4 hope We SuIL All tahe
heed to his well-timed words.
Il think of hiring Tom Birch as a
| sort of spare hand and call boy gene
| rally. l find this hot weather takes the
starch out of me-" John said, rs the
horse trotted through the cool pine
| grove, amid hicKers of moonlight.
will you board him?" asked Mary
! Clark, i'll constrained voide, with the
memory of her husbands celebrations
still i'll mind.
'Of course. / want him evenings to
take the horse when We come from
meeting, or if l have taken friend
out. 1t il rather hard to go 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. 1t stands me in hand
to practice, If l preach; don't you say
SOP
II do. I am glad you are to have
help; as you say, 1t Is hard to 60 to
work the minute you get home. l have
been foolish enough to have this ride
spoiled by thinking of bread to mix,
two baskets of clothes to fold before
sleep, of 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 it would be better to get all
your house work done before meeting
time"
''If l 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 90 to bed myself. "
"Take it easy, Mary; keep cool, avoid
all tue hot work you can"
81 wish L could have girl, John!'
"Mother used to say girls were more
h1ndrance than help. l guess you
would find them SO, and then they
waste and break more than their wages.
l don't see how can afford girl. Do
what you can, and leave some things
undone; that's the way to work it, and
John sat back with u satisfied air, and
Mary thought of her husbands glowing
words Ill the prayer-meeting.
81 will do all L can, said Mary, in
\
TO do is much beyond my strength.
The three meals come near together,
washing and ironing must be done,
baby shall not be neglected, and Of
course L must keep the clothes well
mended,"
lone thing at time is the way to
think of your duties. Pick up all the
conf ort you can as you 60 along. L
have made up my mind to do SO III the
future"
$50 1 see, by your thinking of having
an extra hand"
eyes. l feel that I must take care
of my health for your sake and the
childrens'.
"Certainly," Mary answered in a sar-
castle tone, chow thoughtful you are
for usl''
John made no further comment, but
inwardly wished that prayer meetings
did Mary the good they had once, and
wondered why his wife was SO changed.
''I am going with Squire Towne to
see a reaper, he says he hardly wants
to buy without my opinion" This was
next day.
John left his wife ironing, with the
half-sick baby sitting 10y the table in
the company OF an army of flies; and in
spite OF the home scene, enjoyed his
ride along the pleasant road, well
pleased to be seen so much with the