Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-04-07
SELFISH JOHN CLARK.

The meeting was good one, in spite OF
the intense heat, and there was more
singing done by the mosquitoes than the
human species.
John Clark sat by An open window,
where what breeze there was came i'll and
kept him comparatively comfortable; and
then he had on a clean linen suit which
his wife had washed and ironed that day,
Notwithstanding 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 spa
cious barns without damage by SO much
az a drop of rain. He was well, strong,
prosperous, and therefore happy.
The ride home was charming, and as
the new horse took them through Cairniey
WOODS with sure, fleet feet, he felt that
life was very bright; and as he 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 re-
ligion.
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 ye one an
others burdens" had been the subject OF
the evening talk, and Johns speech had
been listened to with evident relish.
"Your husband has the root Of the mat
ter in him." said the pastor, as she passed
out. "I hope we shall all take heed to his
well-timed words"
az 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-" John said, as the horses trotted
through the cool pine grove, amid fiickers
of moonlight.
"Will you board him?" asked Mary
Clark, in a constrained voice, with the
memory Of her husbands e1hortatlons
still in her mind.
"Of course. 1 want him evenings to
take the horse when we como home from
meetings, or if have friend out. tis
rather hard to 60 right to work directly
one gets home"
"You are going to hire him to help 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'tyeu say SOP"
az do. am glad you are going to have
help; as you say, it is hard TO go 70 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, for the
ironing tomorrow, and dinner TO get for
four hungry uen, and baby to care for"
"Don't crowd to-morrow's burden into
this present ride. And it seems to me
that it would be better to get all the house
work done before meeting time"
"If / 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 avn tired enough to
20 to bed myself"
sTake it easy, Mary, keep cool, avoid
all the hot work you can"
T wish 1 could have girl, John?"
"Mother used to say girls were more
hindrance than help. guess you would
ind them so; and then they waste and
break more than their wages. don'tsee
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
a satisfied air, and Mary thought OF her
husbands glowing words in the prayer
meeting.
'T will do what can," said Mary, in
weary voice. "what / am obliged to do
i. much beyond my strength. The three
meals come near together, washing and
ironing must be done, baby must not be
neglected, and, Of course, must keep the
clothes well mendsd."
"one thing at time is the way to think
Of your duties. Pick up all the comfort
you can as you go along. 1 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."
ss,,.;r- %, .f.rv .,svered In a sar-