The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-01-16
Selfish John Clark. q.

The meeting was good one, in spit
of the intense heat, and there was NOR
singing done by the mosquitoes than tn
human species.
John Clark sat by an open window
where what breeze there was came il
and kept him comparatively comforta
BILE; and then he had on a clean linel
suit which his wife had washed ant
ironed that day, Notwithstanding tn
mercury mounted high in the nineties
and its freshness was an additional com
fort.
His first crop of hay, much large
than usual, had that day been put il
his spacious barns without damage b,
SO much as drop of rain. He wa
well, strong, prosperous, and therefor
happy.
The ride home was charming, and a
the new horse took them through Cairn
ley Woods with sure, fleet feet, he fel
that life was very bright; and as h
thought of Brother Whites remark
about weary burdens and feet tired will
the march of life, he concluded that th
aforesaid brother was not in the enjoy
ment of religion.
Johns wife sat back in the carriage
resting her tired body and turning owe
in her mind the remarks her John hae
made at the meeting. Bear ye on,
another's BURDEN had been the subjec
of the evenings talk, and Johns speecl
had been listened to with evident relish
your husband has the root of tn,
matter in him. said the pastor as sh'
passed out. 4 hope we shall all taxi
heed to his well-timed words
Il think of hiring Tom Birch as sor
of spare hand or call-boy generally.
find this hot weather takes the starch
out of me- John said, as the hors'
trotted through the cool pine grove
amid fickers of moonlight.
will you board him?' asked Mar,
Clark in constrained voice, with tn,
memory of her husbands exhortation
still in her mind.
'Of course. l want him evenings t,
take the horse when we come home iron
meeting, or if l have friend out. l
is rather hard to have to go right t.
work directly one gets home
you are going to hire him to hel
bear some of your burdens said Mary
in the same hard voice.
'Just so wife. 1t stands me in ham
to practice, if preach; don't you sa
SOP
4 do! 1 am glad you are going t
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 l 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 it seems t.
me that it would be better to get all tn
housework done before meeting time.
IF 1 could; but that is impossible
milk to strain, dishes to wash, Benn,
and baby to put to bed-all these dutie
come together; and then I am tirec
enough to 60 to bed myself
Take it easy, Mary; keep cool, avoit
all the hot work you can.'
4 wish could have a girl, John?'
Mother used to say girls were more
hindrance than help. guess you woule
find them SO; and then they waste
and break more than their wages.
don't see how I can afford a girl. d.
what you can, and leave some thing
undone; that's the way to work it,
and John sat back with a satisfied air
and Mary thought of her husband
glowing words in the prayer meeting
4 will do what can, said Mary il
weary voice. 'What I am obliged tt
do is much beyond my strength. Th'
three meals come near together, wash
ing and ironing must be done, baby
shall not be neglected, and, of course
I must keep the clothes we'll mended.
'One thing at time is the way tc
think of your duties. Pick up all tht
comfort you can as you go along.
have made up my mind to do so in the
future
$50 see you are thinking of having
an extra hand? p
'Yes, feel that I must take care O.
my health for your sake and the chill
dren.'
Certainly Mary answered in {
sarcastic tone; 'how thoughtful you are
for us.
John made no further comment, bu
inwardly wished that prayer meeting:
did Mary they had once done, and
wondered why his wife had so changed
4 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 company of an army of flies, and,
in spite of the home-scene, enjoyed his
ride along the pleasant shaded road,
we'll pleased to be seen in company with
such big man of the town. At supper
time, he came home with the new reap
er behind the wagon.
by taking two, we made a handsome
saving, and as intended to buy one,
thought I might as we'll take it now,
he remarked by way of explanation.
1T will save time and strength, and pay
for itself in year.
Mary made no comment, but set hel
teeth tightly together when she remem.
bered that she had asked in vain fol
something to make her work easier. A
sewing-machine had been pronounced
'hurtful; better have fewer changes ol
clothing than run a machine Tohn had