Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-10-26
SELFISH JOHN CLARK.

was more singing done by the mos
quitOes than the human species.
John Clark sat by an open window,
where what breeze there was came in
and kept him comparatively com
Portable; and then he had on a
clean linen suit which his wife had
washed and ironed that day, not
withstanding 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 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
Cairnley Woods with sure feet feet
he felt that life was very bright aid
as he thought of Brother Whites re
marks about weary burdens and feet
tired with the march Of life, he con-
Guided that the aforesaid brother was
not in the enjoyment Of religion.
Johns wife sat backin the carriage,
resting her tired body and turning
over in her mind the remarks her
John had made at the meeting.
''Bear ye Onewith anOther's burdens" "
had been the subject Of the evenings
talk, and Johns speech had been list
ened to with evident relish.
"Your husband has the root Of the
matter in him said the pastor, as she
passed out. 81 hope we shall all
take heed to his welI-timed words"
'T think of hiring Tom Birch as a
sort Of space hand or caI-ban gen
orally. I find this hot weather takes
the starch out ofme," John said, as
the horse trotted drought the cool
pine grove, amid fickers Of moon
light.
''WiII you board him?' asked Mary
Clark, in a constrained voice; with the
memory other husband's exhOrtatiOn
still in her mind.
cot course. / want him evenings
to take the horse when we come home
from meetings, or if have a friend
out 1t is rather hard to have to 60
right to work when one gets home.
''YOu are going to hire him to help
bear some Of your burdens" said
Mary, in the same hard voice.
''Just so wife; it stands. me in hand
to practice, if I preach; don't you
say sop
81 do; I am glad you are going to
have help; as you say it is hard ~ go
to work the minute you get home.
have been foolish enough to have
this ride spoiled by thinking Of bread
to mix, two baskets of clothes to fold
before I sleep for the ironing tO-mOr-
row, and dinner for four hungry men,
and 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"
iii could; but that is impossible
milk to strain, dishes to wash, Benny
and baby to put to bed-au these
| duties come together; and then 1 am
tired enough to 60 to bed myself
'Take it easy, Mary; keep cool;
avoid all the hot work you can"
81 wish 1 could have a girl, John. .
"MOther used to say girls were
more hindrance than help. 1 guess
YOU would find them so; and then
~, 1,-.0r +oofr
wages. 1 don't see how 1 can afford
/ a girl. Do what you can and leave
/ something's undOne; that's the way
! to work il" and John sat back with
/ a satisfied air, and Mary thought o.
her husbands glowing words in the
/ prayer meeting.
II viii do what I can" said Mary
/ in a. weary voice. 'WhatI 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 neglected, and Of
! course I must keep the clothes well
mended."
Gone thing at a time is the way to
/ think OfyOur duties" Pick up all
the comfort you can as yOn go along
I have made up my mind to do so in
+ the future.
$50 I see, you are thinking of hav-
/ ing an extra hand?'
Yes, L feel must take care Of my
/ health for your sake and the chill
dren."
"Certainlyl'' Mary answered in a
sarcastic 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.