Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-06-15
THE DWARF COUPLE.

If we had but discerning eyes, we could read
in the accidenas and little occurrences of every
day life, many chapters Of instruction.
Sometimes the language striking, that dull
perception is forced to understand it; as in the
following instance where | read beautiful les
son from the homely page of incident. give
it as noted down in my Diary: rr
September A. This morning, as was pass
ing through the hall, | noticed couple enter
ing, whose singular appearance arrested my at
tention. They were man and woman of tho
same height, but both much understood. Their
dress was tidy, but quaint in the 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 wkward.looking bodies
must really feel uncomfortable was begin
ming to regard them as a very grotesque pair,
but my mirth was checked upon observing that
the woman was entirely sightless.
Alas thought |, how unequally the gifts
of God are distributed. Here is deformty, pow
erty and blindness! What accumulated mis-
fortunes Would that could do something to
alleviate so sad fate My meditation of con-
dolence was interrupted by an awkward bow
from the man to myself, at the same time ask
ing in brisk tone, Would you like to look at
some first rate shoes!' He produced some ex-
traordinary looking as the venders themselves.
could scarce repress smile at his evident
pride in the 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 cuts them out and sews
them every stitch hersef.' The woman stood
by with that calm resigned expression peculiar
to the blind. | said to her, My friend, is it
possible you are able to make these without
your eyesight? How long ago did you lose it
: lost both my eyes, she said, before l was
two years DID,
81 turned to her husband in surprise and
asked Did you not marry her blind. Were
you not afraid to undertake the care of heT!'
The care Of Molyn said the man with mer-
ry 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 expiate upon his treasure,
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 but Mol
ys. Then, if she wants to go 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 1t makes me able to get all the lit
tie notions she wants. This man, whom had
approached as dsconsoate beggar, was speak
ing with animation, and countenance radiant
with satisfaction; and the object beside him ]
thought SO forlorn, her sightless face glowed
with the
Sweet and merry sunshine of affections gentle
light, .,fNt
That never wears u Sulen cloud and fadeth not at
night.
Here was most POLITICALLY illustrated the
foundation sentiment of human happiness-re-
ciprocation, interchange of kindness. Molly
found her happiness in clothing her husband,
and adding TO his means by making shoes
Homely as is the guise of this faithful pair,
there is more of romance in their history and
intercourse than in connexion where gifted youth
and beauty are bartered for gold and position.
But said to Molly, do you never feel un-
happy in being deprived of sight?'
"Oh, no, | never grieved about that much
since came to feel that it was all right. can
always busy myself about something. Now,
too, we are on the downhill side of life. My
husband, am sure, is good man; seek to
be good woman. After he has laid a few
more in their narrow house, We shall follow, and
in my long home shall see' | no longer won
dered over the unequally distributed gifts of
Gods Providence, but admired that principle of
compensation which places happiness within the
reach of all, Independent of gifts or crcum-
stances. Its springs are in the inner man, and
flow outward. The morale of this days lesson
| will write thus Godness with contentment
is great gain!