Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 October 1879 — A LIFE’S LESSON. [ARTICLE]

A LIFE’S LESSON.

- Robert Hope and Bamuel Hollins had lived neighbors for more than twelve years, and it is probable they \\'ouid always have been on good terms bud not .Samuel, who had served under Admiral Nelson, gained at Trafalgar a small pension, which he had paid for by the loss of one of his legs. This leg lA*s, at id this |>eusion more, were for Roliert a Continual source of jealousy; he accused fate of hating left him his two feet, and complained bitterly that lie ha 1 not been able, as lie said, to sell his legs at the same price with Hullins. Every time he went to pay his rent he repealed, gruinblingly, that his neigUbor was very fortunate, that he was in a condition to meet his bills, since the king gave him a good pension; while he, poor fellow, had hard work to make both ends of the year meet, without- taking into account his creditors. Roliert at first contented himself with making these reflections inwardly, bqt by degrees his dissatisfaction was expressed aloud, and became his habitual aud favorite theme of conversation. .

One week that his rent had fallen behindhand, and he was sadly advancing toward the house of Mr. Taylor, in order to make bis excuses for the delay, be met neighbor Hullins, who was as regular as clockwork in paying his rent, and had just been for that purpose.’ , The very sight of Samuel produced on Robert the effect of a fit of sickness; so, when he bowed iu reply to the salute of Hullins, his glance singularly resembled thut of a bull shaking his horns at a dog. Arrived at the house of the proprietor, Hope did not fail io be reprimanded. The example .qf his neighbor was eited, who always paid punctually, and to the last penny. “Yes, *yes,y murmured Robert, •“some people are boru with silver spoons in thqiß mouths. Hullins is very fortunate, and I am not surprised that Be pays punctually with such a pension.” “Hullins has a pension, it is true, replied Mr. Taylor; “but his infirmity is a heavy cross, and if you were afflicted with it. I should pity you much more.”

“Not so,” said Hope. “If I had been so fortunate as to lose a leg like him, tweuty years ago, it would have been a productive day for me. I would sell all of my limbs at the same price. * Do you call his oak leg a heavy cross? I think hb jicusion should, render it light. The heaviest cross that I know of b to be obliged to labor incessantly.” Mr. Taylor was a man of joyous humor, but a close ohserver. He had for a long time noticed the envious disposition of Robert, and. resolved to conyince him that the lightest cross may become ‘ heavy to the discontented Bihi'i. > ;“I se^, u said he to Hope, “that you are disposed to do nothing. Well, I will exempt you from this obligation 3f labor, of which you complain so itterly. If you think the cross of ypur neighbor, Samuel, so easy to bear, will you accept a lighter one, if I will engage to give vou the rent?” “That depends upon what kind of a cross it b,” said Robert, anxiously, for he ffeared that the proposition would not Be acceptable.

“Tjhis,” said Mr. Taylor, taking a piece of chalk and tracing a white cross on Robert’s jacket. “During the time that you wear thb, I shall not demand a penny of your rent.” Hope thought, at first, that bb landlord was jesting; but being assured that lie 9poke seriously, he exclaimed: “By St. George! you may say that you have seen my lasts money, for I am willing to wear thb cross all my lifetime.” -

Robert immediately went out, congratulating himself on his good fortune, and laughing all along the road at the folly of Mr. Taylor, who had let him off so cheaply 'from paying his rent. He had never been so joyous as at the < moment of returning home, as he found nothing to complain, of, and his dog came to sit at his feet, without hia punishing him for his familiarity. As he seated himself on his arrival, his wife did not at first notice the white ernes which he had on his shoulder; but, having jessed behind her husband to wind up the clock, she suddenly exclaimed in a shrill . Ybice: » *■“

“Why, Robert, wljere have you been? f You have on your back a cross a foot i long, You have been to the tavern, handsome drunkard among your friends thas played you a trick to make you ridiculous. Get up and let me brush |>ff this cross.” , . I “Away,” exclaimed Hope, hastily, my clothes do no not need your Ashing. Go knit you stockings, and ni alone.”

“That "ball not be!” exclaimed Mm. Hope,. In a voice more shrill. “I will not have my husband become the laugbiug-stock of the whole village, and if I tear your jacket to pieces you shall not wear that ridiculous cross.” And as she spoke thus, the wife attempted to brush Robert’s shoulder; and the latter, who knew that resistance would be * useless, walked off, shutting the door after him violently. “What a fury!” muttered he, as he went away. n *lf shl had been more gentle, I would have told her of my good fortune; but she does not deserve to know it.” . , , , “Oh! oh! Robert!” exclaimed old Fox, at the moment when Hope turned the corner of the house, “what’s that white cross on your back?” “Take care of your own clothes,” insolently replied Hope, going on his way. “Mr. Hope,” said little Patty Stevens, the grocer’s daughter, “stop one inomenttbat I may frub out that great white cross you have on your shoulder.”

“Go and sell you herrings, lazy girl,” replied Robert, and do not concern yourself about passers-by.” The little girl, sileueed, hastened to re-enter her mother’s shop. At this moment Hope arrived at the house of the butcher, who was conversing upon the thershold with his neighbor, the blacksmith. “You are jlist the man I wanted, said the latter, stopping Robert; and he then begau to speak to him upon business; out hardly had he -commenced when old l’eggy Turton arrived in her plaid gown and blue apron. “Mercy! Mr. Hope,” exclaimed she, taking up her apron; “what is that upon your back?” Robert? turned to tell her to let him alone, but the blacksmith then perceived the mark made by Mr. Taylor. “Heavens!” said he, laughing, “he might serve for a sigu to the White i Cross.”

“I suppose,” said the butcher, “that His wife has marked him thus for fear of losing him.” V Hope felt that there was for him but one method of escaping at the same time from the apron of Peggy and the jokes of the butcher and the blacksmith, so he hastened to leave the spot not without some abusive language to his neighbors; but the cross had beguu to weight more heavily upon his shoulders than hd had at first supposed. The unfortunate Robert seemed destined this day to provoking encounters, for he had gone but a few steps when he found himself opposite the school house. School was just out, and the schoolars were at thb moment isnuiug from the door, ready for any fun that might present itself. Hope was terrible uneasy, and imagined he air ready heard cries behind him. His fears were soon realized; he has scarcely passed the school-house door when a loud shout was heard, aud fiftv scholars at least began to pursue him and point at him, throwing up their caps in the air.

“Look, look!” exclaimedone: “there is a sheep market! for the butcher.” “Don't vou see,” replied another, “it is a crusader just setting out for Palestine?” And the shouting and laughter recommenced more loudly. Hope became pale with anger. He turned like a cross dog pursued by children, and perhaps would have cruelly revenged himself on his young persecutors, had not Mr. Johnson, the schoolmaster, suddenly appeared at the door of his house. Robert advanced toward him, complaining of his pupils as being insolent. Mr. Johnson replied that he would not for the world encourage impertinence in them, but that the white cross which he had on his back might make wiser people thau boys laugh. “What is this cross to you?” replied Robert, crossly. “Is uot my back my own property?” The schoolmaster smilingly assented; and Hope went on his way. But the cross was growlug heavier and heavier. He 1 began to think that it would riot be so easy to pay his rent in this manner. Ho much railery had already been heaped upon him, what would it be if the cause .were known. His landlord might as well have written on his back a receipt in full. As he reflected thus, Robert arrived at the tavern. He was passing by when he perceived Mr. Taylor himself at a few paces distant, and on the other side his neighbor Hullins, dragging his wooden leg, and conversing with Harry Stokes, the carpenter. Harry Stokes was the wit of the village, and Hope would not have encountered him before Hullins for the world. He therefore took refuge in the tavern. But the place was not long tenable. The drinkers did not fail to perceive the cross, and to rally Hope, who grew angry; the quarrel violent, and the inn-keeper, fearing some serious result, turned Robert out of doors. The latter had left home with the intention of examiningsomework which was offered to him in a neighboring village, but his mind had been so distorted by old Fox, Patty Stevens, the blacksmith, the butcher, Peggy Thurton, and the boysj that he resolved to return home, thinking that would be the best place. Have you ever seen in the month of September a young partridge, the last of the brood, fluttering along through the fields, with a wounded wing? Such was Robert on his way to the other end of the village: Now he. walked faster least he should meet some one; now in the road, now in the fields, gliding behind the bushes, climbing the walls, and shunning glances like a gypsy who has stolen a chicken from a poultry yard. At this moment the white cross was an insupportable weight. At last he reached his dwelling, and this time hoped to find a little rest. But as soon as his wife perceived him she began to cry out: “Are you not ashamed to come back as you went? Five or six of our neighbors have asked me if you have lost your senses. Quick! let me rub out that cross!”

“Away, woman!” exclaimed Robert, exasperated. .“You shall not remain so, Hope; I will not have any one belonging to me so ridiculous. Take off that Jacket! take it oil this minute, I tell you!” As she spoke thus, Mrs. Hope attempted to seize her husband’s arm; but the latter rudely repulsed her. Mrs. Hope, who was not remarkable for patience, replied by a blow, and the result was a scuffle between the two, to the great scandal of the neighborhood, who ran to separate them.

Everybody blamed Robert, who,' when he became calm, understanding that there was no nope of rest or peace for him otherwise, effaced the cross of his own accord. The Monday following he carried his rent to the house of his londlord. “Ah! ah! Robert,” said Mr.'Taylor on perceiving him. “I thought you would soon repent of your bargain. This is a good lesson foi envious and impatient dispositions, who are incessantly complaining. Do not complain of being less fortunate titan others, for you know not the suffering of your neighbor. All crosses are heavy; the way to render them light is to bear them with patience, courage and good will.”