Daily Republican., 1884-06-07
Selfish John Clark,

VUlllVtl VVull VtuIM
The meeting was good one, in spite
of the intense heat, and there was more
singing dons by the mosquitoes than the
human race.
John CLARK sat by an open window,
where what breeze there was came in
and kept him com paratively comfort.
able; 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 niDeties,
and its freshness was an additional
comfort.
His first crop of y,much larger than
usual, had that day been put in his
spacious barns, without damage by SC
much as a drop Of rain. He was well
strong, prosperous, and therefore he was
happy.
The ride home was charming, and rs
the new horse took them through Cairn
ley woods with sure, fleet feet, he felt
that life was very bright and az ht
thought of Brother Whites remarks
abbut weary burdens and feet tired
with the march of life, he concluded
that the aforesaid brother was not in
the enjoyment of religion.
Jchn's wife sat back in the carriage,
resting her tired body and turning ovel
in her mind the remarks her John had
made at tha meetin :. Rear ye one
another's burdeps," had been the sub
ject of the evenings talk, aud Jobn's
speech had been listened to with evi
dent relish.
"Yonr husband has the root of the
matter in him." said the pastor as she
passed ont. IL hope we shall take
heed to his well-timel words"
{" think of hiring Tom Birch as a
sort of spare hand or call-boy generally
| find this hot weather takes the starch
out of me, John said, as the horse trot
ted tErougd the cool pine grove, amid
tlickers of moonlight.
"Will you board him ?" asked Mary
Clark, in a constrained voice, with the
memory of her husbands exhortations
still In her mind.
"Of course. want him evenings tC
take the horse when we come home
from meeting, or If have friend out
1t is rather hard to have to go right tt
work directly one gets home"
You are going to hire him to beal
some of your burdens" said Mary, II
the same hard voice.
| Just 30, wife. 1t stands me ir
hand to practice, if I preach; don't yor
say 80"
{" do. l am glad you are going tt
have help; as you say, it is hard to g
to work the minute you get home.
have been foolish enough to have thi'
ride spoiled by thinking of bread t,
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 morrow's burden!
into this present ride. And 1t seem
to me that it would be better to get al
the housework done before meeting
time"
off coNld; but that is impossible
milk to strain, dishes to wash, Benny
and baby to put to bed-all these dutie
come together; and then | AIN tiret
enough to 90 to bed myself
"Take it easy, Mary keep cool
avoid all the hot work you cam
d" l wish l could have girl, john"
Mother used to say girls were more
hinderance than help. guess yot
would find them SO and then they
waste and break more than theirwages
don't see how | can afford girl. d.
what you can, and leave some thing
undone that's the way to work it,
and John sat back with n satisfied air
and Mary thought of her husband
glowing words in the prayer meeting.
Il will do what caD," said Mar,
in a weary voice. What am obliget
to do is much beyond my strength. Th
three meals come near together, wash
ing and ironing must be done, bab,
must not be neglected, and OF course
| must keep the clothes well mended.
cone thing at a time is the way tt
think of your duties. Pick up all tn
comfort yon can as you 60 along. -.
have made up my mind to do soin tn
future"
$50 see you are thinking of havin
an extra hand?'
"Yes, feel that must take care G
my health for your sake and the chil
dren."
Certainly !" Mary answered in
sA rcastic tone ); how thoughtful yo
are for us.
John made no futher comment, bn
inwardly wished that prayer meeting
did Mary the good they had once done
and wondered why his wife had s
changed.
j; " an going with Squire Town t
see a new reaper he says he harll
wants to buy without NY opinion.
This was the next day.
John left his wife ironing with III
hal fsick baby sitting at the table, i
company with an army of flies, and, il
spite of the home scene, enjoyed hi
ride along the pleasant, shaded road
wei pleased to be seen in compan
with such big nlGn Of the town. A
supper time, he came home with tn
new reaper behind the wagon.
BY taking two We made handsom
Saving, and as intended TO buy one,
thought | might rs well take it now,
he remarked by way of explanation
"It will save time and strength, an
lpay for itself in a year
: Mary made no comment, but set he
IT, eth tightly together when she remen
! bered tnat she had asked in vain 10
something to make her work easier. /
sewing machine had been pronounce
: hurttul; better have fewer changes {
lcothing than run machine" job
had decided when the subject was dis
|cussed :, "a clothes wringer would b
constantly getting out of order. T
bring the water into the house woul
be Just to spoil the water. Mothe
lwoud never have pump in her day.
"My mother used to say all me
were selfish, and | begin to think sh
, was right" Mary muttered, as sh
went to the kitchen for the plate of nc
biscuit John was 80 fond of for his tea
II Her husbands appetite was good
|but from fatigue and overheating hel