The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-06-07
THE DWARF COUPLE.

| II wc had but discerning eyes, we could read
in the accidentals and little occurrences of ev
ery-day life, many chapters of instruction.
Sometimes the language striking, that dull
perception is forced 10 understand Il; as in the
| following instance where read beautiful les
son from the homely page Of incident. Igave
it as noted down in my Diary:-
'Septembcr 4.-This morning. as was pas.
sing through the hail, noticed couple enter
ing, whose singular appearance arrested my
attention. They were man and womsn of
tho same light. but both understood. Their
dress was tidy, but quaint in tho extreme, and
in the person, Of whom was such an entire alb
sence OF every line of grace or beauty, that one
would suppose such awkwsrd-loOking bodies
must really feol uncomfortable. l was begin.
ming 10 regard them as very grotesque pair
but my murth was checked upon observing
that tho woman was entirely sightless.
"Aas! thought |, how unequally the gifts
of God are distributed. Hero is defrmity.
poverty and blindness! What accumulated
mistortunes! Would that could do some
thing tn alleviate so sad fate. My medita-
ton of coincidence was interrupted by an awk-
ward bow from the man to myself and the
same time asking in brisk tone, Would you
like to look at some frstrate shoesr lie pro-
duced some very extraordinary king as the
venders themselves. cuuld scarce repress a
smile ut his evident PRIDE in tho articles but
he went on to say. They'll outwear four pair
Of shoemakers shoes. These you see, are
made by my wife Molly. She's blind, you see,
but she GUS them out and scws them every
stitch herself Tho women stood by with that
calm resigned expression peculiar to the blind
| said to her. My friend. is it possible you are
able to make those without your eyesight'-
IT, Il l.. .ss At -. IL
my eyes che said, before was two years old.
turned to her husband in surprise, and ask
ed
Did you not marry her blind? Were you
not afraid to undertake the care of her? THE
care of Mollyr said the man with a merry
laugh why she made my fortune. never
had anything that could call my own till
married her, and now we live snug enough
Then he went on to expatiate upon his trea-
sure, Molly. why, you see how tidy she keeps
me, she cuts and makes and mends all my
clothes. don't find any shoes easy to my feet
hut Molly's-then .if she wants to 90 anywhere.
she's only TO take hold of my arm, and lead
her. I'm the sexton at, and when there
are no funerals, like to bring Molly down
town. and we sell a few shoes, just to amuse
us and help us along. It makes me able to
get all the little notions she wants This man
whom had approached as discousolate beg
gar, was speaking with snimaton, and a coun-
tenance radiant with satisfaction; and tho OBJ
iect beside him thought so fororn, her sight
less face glowcd with tho
Sweet and merry sunshine pr affections geSte Fight.
That asullen cloud and adeth night
"Iiere was most Dpetically illustrated ihe
found her happiness IN clothing her husoano,
and adding to his means by making shoes
Homely as in the guise Of this faithful pair.
there is more of romance in their history and
intercourse than in connexions where gifted
youth and beauty arc bartered for gold and po-
siton. But said 10 Molly. do you never
feel unhappy in being deprived of sight?
"Oh no, I never grieved about that much
since came TO feel that it was all right. l
can always busy myself about something.-
Now too, we are on the downhill side of life.
Nv husband am sure, is good man; seek
to bo a good woman. After he has laid n
few more in their narrow house. we sioll follow
and in nv long home shall see no longer
wondered over the unequally distributed gifts
Of Gods providence, but admired that princi-
pie of compensation which places happiness
within the reach of all, independent, of gifts or
circumstances. It's springs are in the inner
man and flow outward. Tho moral of this
davis lesson will write thus-'Godlincss with
contentment is great gain!