Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-05-13
SELFISH JOHN CLARK.

The meeting was good one, al
though the heat was intense, and there
was more singing done by the mosqui,
toes than by the human species
John Clark sat by an open window
where what breeze there was came il
and kept him comparatively comforta'
bic, and he had on a clean linen suit
which his wife had washed and ironed
that day, Notwithstanding that 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
well, strong, and therefore happy.
The ride home was charming, and
as the new horse took them through
Cairnley Woods, with sure, fleet foot,
John Clark felt that life was bright ;
and as he thought of Brother White S
remarks about weary burdens and feet
tired with the march of life, he con-
cluded that the aforesaid brother was
not in the full 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 ye
one anothers burdens" had been the
subject Of the evening talk, and Johns
speech had been listened to with evil
dent relish.
"Your husband has the root Of the
matter in him, said the pastor as she
passed him on the way out. a hope
that we shall all heed his words
81 think Of hiring Tom Birch as a
sort Of spare hand or call-boy gener-
ally. I find this hot weather takes
the starch out of me, John said, as
the horse lotted through the cool pine
grove, amid aickers 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, l want him evenings to
take the horse when we come home
from meeting, orif l have friend out.
It is rather hard to have to 90 right
to work directly one arrives at home. -
"You are going to hire him to help
bear some of your burdens, said Mary
in the same hard voice.
Gust so, wife 1t 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 to go
to work the minute you get home. l
have been foolish enough to have this
ride spoiled by thinking of bread to
mix, two baskets of clothes to fold be-
fore l sleep, for the ironing tomorrow,
dinner to get for four hungry men and
baby to care for.
Don't crowd tomorrows burdens
into this present ride. And it seems
to me that it would be better to get
all the housework done before meet
ing time"
IF could, but that is impossible !;
milk to strain, dishes to wash, Benny
and baby to put to bed-all these
things come together, and then l am
tired enough to go to bed myself.
Take it easy, Mary; keep cool,
avoid all the hot work you can
81 wish I could have a girl, John. -
Mother used to say girls were more
hindrance than help. I guess you
would find them so; and then they
waste and break more than their wa
ges. don't see how l could afford a
girl. Do what you can, and leave
some things undone; that's the way to
work it, and John sat back with a
satisfied air, and Mary thought of her
husbands glowing words in the pray
er meeting.
Il will do what l can, said Mary
in weary voice. "What I am obliged
to do is beyond my strength. The
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 all mended.
Zone thing at time is the way to
think of your duties. Pick up all the
comfort you can as you go along. 1
have made up my mind to do so in the
future"
$50 l see, by your thinking of hay
ing an extra hand.