Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-11-14
From The Esicker5ockcr.
MY LEGi

mai oil months, November. The storm
howled loudly without, and the sIeet drove
iurjousiy against the windows. sat in
my apartment alone, in my easy-cheir,
before a 6lazing wood fire. There was
no other light in the room. My LEG, my
lame leg, rested on a chair before me,
with a soft cushion under it. Without,
ragged elemental war; within, all seemed
peace and comfort but it was only in
seeming, for in the bosom Of the lonely
occupan, Of that loom battle was gong
on between hope and fear, as violent as
that of the elements without.
Oh, that leg Il wes the tormen, of
my life. Years ago had strained my
knee, and what was at first slight affair,
had. by neglect, mismanagement and
rheumatism, increased 10 such an incon.
yerient and alarming degree. that was
regularly coafned 10 the house every
winter, and constantly threatened with
the loss Of my limb. There it was be-
fore me, always before me could not
get rid Of it. The sight Of it tormented
me by day, and the thought oft haunted
me by night. II had thrown mo out Of
business; it had cut off my prospects Of
happiness in life, of usefulness 10 myself,
my friends, and the world; aud last and
least, it had tormen.ed me night and day
with bodily pain. | detested, perfectly
hated that leg | had tried coaxing ana
good treatment had tried driving and
rough usage but all in vain for "stiI
the leg kept on" Its old course Of obsti.
nate and incurable lameness. 1t headed
me of in every undertaking. 1t fatter-
ed me when idle, but If imagined my
self well, and entered into the active bu.
siness oflife, il ably drove me again
into retirement, with few additional
twinges as punishment for my temerity.
If my fancy we're excited, my reason
convinced, or my hear: touched by the
charms and Accomplishments or the tai.
ents and virtues Of fais daughter Of
Eve, must close my heart at once;
must conceal my thoughts and feelings
must shun her society. My bosom must
be mailed against the darts of Cupid fos
should one chance to strike home, what
gentle hand would extract il, and apply
the healing balm Of affection returned
Who would love and marry me? | had
most nveterate spite against that leg
Well, there | sat; sometimes looking into
the fire, in which | could see nothing but
surgeons knives, plasters and torHiquets
around the room; but the dane
ing shadows on the wall looked like so
many cripples "golng it' with their wood
en- legs, with which they eckoned me to
become one Of ;heir number; while
grin on The countenance of each seemed
10 say, "Our invitation, like that Of roy
atty, must be complied with !" and then,
not reIshng this picture, turned my
eyes towards the windows, but nothing
pleasant was there to be seen. The space
lust outside the windows seemed crowded
10 the utmost with the malignant faces of
the baffled demons of the storm. There
they were, glowering at me-, vaguely ter.
rible, with little visible save their horri-
BILE eyes. They seemed to say: "Oh,
how we would rain, hail aud snow upon
you, and rack your frame with rheumatic
pains, if we only had you herep Then,
raging with DISAPPOINTMENT, they van sh-
ed, while the storm howed more loudly
than ever, and shook the house to its
base and the sleet beat more furiously
against the windows, as if the malevolent
spirits of the tempest were making last
effort to beat in the glass or overturn the
whole establishment.
shrank back and buried myself in my
{ asy.chalr and in thought. The current
changed. Fear vanished and Hope tri-
| looked into the FIRE again
the surgeons knives and plasters had dis. !
appeared. and in their places were green
fields, wooden gens, and forest glades. -
On messy rock, by the bank of wind
ing brook, unoer a green and graceful
canopy of waving elms, sat my lady love
and myself The declaration had been
made, the suit had been successful, and
happiness was in our hearts and on our
countenances. Again the scene chang
ed. saw noble house, a commodious
and elegant country-seat, with grand av-
enues leading to IT, and verdant lawns
and beautiful gardens surrounding it,
On the green in front Of tn house, three
VI tOdt NtiC anu
the piazza sat good-looking couple, who
seemed to be highly amused at the pranks
of the young ones. And that cookbook
irg couple was myself and my vile; and
those we're my children and that house
and those beautiful lands were mine too
earned by my own lnbor and We were
all happy.
Just thea a stick OF wood, which had
burnt through tho middle, parted, and one
Of the brands fell point foremost towards
the hearih-rug. and scattered halEa dozen
Goals upon 1t. jumped up as well as |
could, seized the brush, swept the Goals
into the fire, aud sank back exhausted
INTO my easy-chair. The bright vision
had fled forever, and for its loss | had no.
thing TO console me but an extra ouantum
Of pain.
looked at that leg again, half spiteful.
Is, halfsorrowlully. cont" thought |,
''what would not give TO the man who
should restore that limb 10 health Id
be his servant for Eve years I'D bind
myself to a blacksmith for seven years
Id trumbIs a wheel barrow three hours a
day during my life; I'd do anything al
most
"Would youl" said rough voice near
me.