The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-02-28
& r JOHN CLARK.


-
The meeting vas a good one u
spite Of the Intense heat. and ther'
WAS more singing dune by mosqui
tos than by the human species pres
ent. 4
John Clark sat by an open WIN
dow, where what breeze there wal
came ia and Kept him co~mpara.ivel,
comfortable, aud then he had on =
clean suit which his wife had wash
ed and ironed that day, notwith
standing the mercury mounted high
in the nineiies, and its freshness wa:
an additional comfort.
His first crop of hay, much larger
than usual, had that day been put
in his spacious barn without dam
age by so much as 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
Chirnley Woods, with sure, fleet
feet, he felt that life was very bright,
and rs he thought of brother WIS
remarks about "weary burdens"
.afeet tired with much of life" be
concluded that the aforesaid brother
was not in the enjoyment of relig-
ion.
Johns wife sat back 10 the car
riace. resting her tired body and
turning over in her mind the re-
marks her John had made at the
meeting.
Bear We one another's burdens"
had been the subject of the evenings
talk, and John's 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. Il hope we shall
all take heed to his well timed
words"
Il think of hiring Tom Birch as a
sort of spare hand and call boy gen.
orally. | find this hot weather takes
the starch out of me-" John said, as
the horse ,rotted through the cool
pine grove, amid fiickers of moon
light.
"Will you board him p asked Ma
nv Clark. in a constrained voice, with
the memory of her husbands exhor-
taiions still in mind.
"Of course. | want him evenings
10 take the horse when We come from
meeting, or if have taken a friend
out. 1t is rather hard TO get 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 | preach don't
you say so?"
Il do. am glad you are to have
help, as you say, it is hard to go Ia
work the minute you get home. |
have been foolish enough to nave
this ride spoiled by thinking of
bread to mix, two baskets Of clothes
TO fold before | sleep, of the ironing
tomorrow, aud dinner TO get for
four hungry men, and baby to care
for"
Don't crowd to-morrowIs 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 / could but that is impossible
milk TO strain, dishes TO wash, Ben.
ny and baby to put to bed all
these duties come together and then
] am tired enough to 60 to bed N.Y.
self"
Take it easy. Mary, keep cool,
avoid all the hot work you can"
Il wish l could have a girl, too,
John J"
Mother used to say girls were
more hindrance than help. / guess
you weald fhd them so, and then
they waste and break more than
their wages. Isdont see how / can
afford q girl. Do what you car, and
leave some things undone; that's the
way to work it, and John sat back
with q satisfied air, and Mary
thought of her husbands glowing
words in the prayer meeting.
81 will do all / can," said Mary,
in a weary voice. What 4 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 neg
lected. and of course l must keep
the clothes well mended.p
Zone thing at o time is the way to
think ofyour duties. Pick up all
the comfort you can as you go.
along. l have made up my mind to
do SO in the future"
so Isee, by your thinking Of hav-
ing an extra hand"
"Yes. | see that / must take care
of my health for your sake and the
children's."
Certainly" Mary answered, in a
sarcastic tene, show thoughtful You
are for u.s.
John made no further comment,
but inwsrdly wished that prayer
meetings did Mary the good they
had once. and wondered why his
wife was SO changed.
II am going with Squire Towne
to see q reaper, be says he hardly
wants to buy without my opinion"
This was next day.
John left his wife ironing, with the
half sick baby sitting by the table in
the company of an army of flies,
and in spite Of the hume scence, en-
joyed his ride along the pleasant
road, well pleased to be seen so
much with the great men of the
town. At supper time he came home
with the new reaper behind the
wagon.
by taking two We made a hand
some saviugs and, as ! intended to
buy one LthoughtI might as well
take it now he remarked. by way
ofexnlsnafion at will save time