The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-09-28

1s-What did they do with the stamp?
Mrs. George Archibald
SELFISH JOHN CLARK.
The meeting was u good one, in
spite of the intense heat. and there
wns more singing done by the mos
quitocs than the human species.
John Clark sat by anopen window,
where what breeze there was came in
and kept him comparatively com
Portable; and then le had on IL
clean linen suit which his wife had
washed and ironcl that dny, not
withstnnding the mercury mounted
high in the ninctics, and it's 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 Il drop of rain. He
was well, strong, prosperous, and
therefore happy.
The ride home was charming, and
ns the new horse took them through
Cairnlcy Woods with sure feet feet
he felt that life was very bright and
as he thought of Brother Whites re-
marks about weary burdens and feet
tired with the marcl, of life, lie con-
clu,lrl that the aforesaid l,rotherwn
not i'll the enjoyment of religion.
Johns wife sat back in tliccarriagc,
resting her tired body and turning
over in her mind the remarks her
John hnd made at the meeting.
"Bearyeon with another burdens"
had been the subject of the evenings
talk, and Johns speech had been list
cned to with evident relish.
"lo,m husband has the root of the
matter i'll him said the pastor, us she
passed out. 81 hope We shall all
take heed to his well-timcd Words"
81 think of hiring Tom Birch as a
sort ofspace hand or call-b;ll gem
orally. l find this hot weather takes
the starch out Of me-" John said, as
the horse trottul throught the cool
pine grove, amid ilickcrs of MOON
light.
will you hoard him?" asked Mary
Clark, i'll IL constrained voice; with the
memory oflcrhusbantl's scxlortation
still i'll lor mind.
"Of course. l want him evenings
to take the horse when wccome home
from meetings. or i'll h,ve IL friend
out. 1t is rather hard to have to go
right to work when one gets home.
"You are going to hire him to help
bear some Of your bur,lens,' suid
Mary, i'll the same hnrd voice.
".Dust so wife; it stands me in hand
to prnrticr, ii preach; don't you
say so?"
81 do; am glad you nlr going to
have help; as you shy it in hard togo
to work the minute you get home. |
have been foolish enoug ugh to have
this ride spoiled by thinking of bread
to mix. two bnskcts of fclothcs to fold
before l sleep for the ironing to-mor-
row, and dinner for fourlungry men,
and baby to care fur.'
Don't crowd tomorrow y burdens
into this present ride. And it seems
to me that il would l,c better to get
all the ho,lsework done before meet
ing time"
IF ! could; hut that is impossible
milk to strain. dishes tu wash, Benny
and baby to put to bc,l-all these
duties come together; and then am
tired enough to go to bed myself"
Take it easy, Mary; keep cool;
avoid nll the hot work you can"
~ wish could have a girl, John"
"Mothcr used to say girls were
more hinlrnnce than help. guess
you would find them so; and then
they waste and break more than their
wages. don't sec how l can afford
girl. DO what you can und leave
something's un,lonc; that's the way
to work it," and John sat back with
a satisfied mir, and Mary thought of
her husbands glowing words In the
prayer meeting.
~ will do what can," said Mary
in n weary voice. "What lam obliged
to do is mncllbcyondmy strength.
The three meals come near together.
washing and ironing must be done,
baby shall not be- neglected, and OF
course must keep the clothes well
mrn.led."
Cone thing ut time ia the way to
think of your duties" Pick up all
the comfort you can as yon go along.
! have made up my mind to do so in
the future.
$50 see, you are thinking of hav-
ing an extra, lInnl?'
"Yrs, feel ! must take care of my
health for your sake and the chill
dlpn."
"Ccrtuinly!' Mary answered in q
s;'rcnstic tone; chow thoughtful you
are for us
John made no further comment,
but inwardly wished that prayer
meeting did Mary the good they had
once done, and wondered why his
wife had so changed.
~ am going with Squire Town to
see a new reaper; lie VS. he hnr,lly
wants to buy without my opinion"
This WIS the next ,lny.
John left his wife ironing, with the
half sick baby sitting at the table, in
the company of I'm army offlies, and,
in spite of the homr-scenc, enjoyed
his ride along the pleasant, shaded
road, wrll-plenscd to be seen in com
mny with such IL big man of the town.
At supper time. he came home with
tlr nn1v rnnnnr hnhiud tho ,v.luon