Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-10-19
Selfish John Clark.

The meeting was good one. in
spite of the intense heat. and there was
more singing done b. the mosqu itoes
than the human species.
John Clark sat by an open window.
where what breeze there was came in
and kept him comparatively comfort
able; and then he had on clean lin
en- 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 spacious barns without damage by
so much as drop of rain. He was
we'll. strong. prosperous, and therefore
happy
The ride home was charming. AMI
az the new horse took them through
Cairnley Woods with sure, fleet feet
he felt that If, was bright. and as lac
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 religion.
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
We one with another's burdens" had
been the subject of the evenings talk.
and Johns speech had been listened 10
with evident relish.
Your husband has the root of the
matter in him said the pastor, as she
passed out If nope we shall all take
heed to his wel-timed words.
Il think of hiring Tom Birch as n
sort of spare hand or call boy gener-
ally. / find this hot weather takes
the starch out of me-" John said. as
the horse trottcd through the cool
pine grove. amid hickers OF moon
light.
"Will you board him'" asked Mary
Clark, in constrained voice; with the
memory of her husbands exhor tattou
still in her mind.
'Of course l wart him evenings to
take the horse when we come home
from meetings. or il have friend
out 1t is rather hard to have to 90
right to work directly one gets
home"
You are going to hire him to help
bear some Of your burnens." said
Mary, in the same hard voice.
Just so. wife; it stands me in hand
to practice, if | preach; don't VOC say
sop
II do; am glad you are 60 ne t.
have help; as you say, 1t is hard To go
90 work the minute you get home. 1
have been foolish enough ia have this
ride spoiled by thinking of bread to
mix. two baskets of clothes TO fold be-
fore / sleep for the ironing to- morrow.
and dinner for four hungry men, aud
baby to care for.
"Don't crowd to-morrow's burdens
into this present ride. And it seems
to me that it would be better to get
all the homework done before meet
ing time.
''lf could; but that is impossible;
milk TO strain, dishes 10 wash, Benny
and baby TO put to bed-all these du-
ties come together; aud then am
tired enough to go to bed myself.
Take it easy. Mary; keep cool;
avoid all the hot work you can"
IL wish | could have girl. John"
"Mother used to say & rls were more
hindrance than help. 1 guess you
would find them so; and then they
vast and break more than their wages.
j don't see how / can afford a girl. Do
what you can and leave some things
nndone; that the way to work it.
and John sat back with satisfied
air, and Mary thought of her hus-
bands glowing words in the prayer
meeting
Il will do what can." said Mary
in weary voice. 'What l am oblig-
ed to do is 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 we'll
mended."
.One thing at time is the way to
think of your duties" Pick up all the
. comfort you can as YOU go along.
have made up my mind to do SO in the
future"
so see. you are thinking of having
an extra handP
Eyes, i feel / must take care Of my
health for your sake and the chill
dren.r
Certainly Mary answered in a
sarcastic tone; ''how thoughtful you
are for us"
John made no further comment but
inwardly wished that prayer meetings
did Mary the good thew had once done.
and wondered why his wife had SO
changed.
IL am going with Squire Town to
see a new reaper; he sa 8 he hardly
wants to buy without my opinion"
This was the next dag.