Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-05-05
nltsfelIaneous.
Number Twelve.


forty feet from the ground. There remained,
stunned and bleeding, on the rubbish, until my
companions. by attempting to remove me, re-
stored me to consciousness: felt as if the
ground on which l was lying formed a part Of
myself; that could not be lifted from it without
being torn assunder; and, with the most piercing
cries, entreated my well meaning assistants to
leave me alone to die. They desisted for the
moment, one running for the doctor, another for
litter, others surrounding me with plying
gaze; but amidst my increasing sense Of suffer-
ing, the conviction began to dawn upon my
mind, that the injuries were, not mortal and so,
by the time the doctor and litter arrived, re-
signed myself 10 their aid, and allowed myself,
without further objection, to be carried to the
hospital.
There remained for more than three months,
gradually recovering from my bodily injuries,
but devoured with an impatience at my cond-
ton, and the slowness of my cure, which effect
ualy retarded it. felt all the restlessness and
anxiety of aborer suddenly thrown out of EN-
ployment difficult enough to procure, knowing
that there were scores of others ready to step
into my place; that the job was going on, and
that, ten chunces to one, should never set my
foot on that scaffolding again. The visiting
surgeon vainly warned me against the indulgence
of such passionate regrets-vainly inculcated
the opposite feeling Of gratitude demanded by
my escape; all in vain tossed on my fevered
bed, murrnured at the slowness of his remedies,
and might have rendered them altogether inef,
fectual, had not a sudden change been effected
in my disposition BY another, at first unwelcome,
addition to our patients. He was placed in the
same ward with me, and insensibly found my
impatcnce rebuked, my repinings hushed for
very shame, IN the presence of his meek resig-
nation 10 far greater privations and suferings.
Fresh courage sprang from his example, and
soon, thanks to my involuntary physician, was
in fair road to recovery.
And he who had worked the charm, what was
he? A poor, helpless old man, utterly deformed
by suffering, his very name unnoticed, or at least
never spoken in the place where he now was
he went only by the appellatiou of No l2--the
number Of his bed, which was next to my own.
This bed had already been his refuge during
three long and trying illnesses, and had at last
become sort OF property for the poor fellow IN
the eyes Of doctors, students, purse-lenders, in
fact, the whole hospital staff. Never did gen.
tier creature walk on Gods earth walk--alas !
for him, the word was bn. an old .nemory. Many
years before he had tcteiiy lost the ass Of his
legs but, TO use his own expression, this mis-
fortune did not upset him !" he stll retained the
power of earning his livelihood, which he derived
from copying deeds for lawyer at so much per
sheet; and if the legs were no longer support,
the hands worked at the stamped parchments as
diligently as ever. But some months passed by,
and then the paralysis attacked his right arm
still undaunted, he taught himself 10 write with
the left but hardly had the brave heart and hand
conquered the difficulty, when the enemy crep!
on, and disabling his second ally, no more re-
mained for HIM than to be conveyed once more,
though this time as last resource, to the hos.
pital. There he had the qualification to find his
former quarters vacant, and he took possession
of his old familiar bed with satisfaction that
seemed to obliterate all regret at being obliged
to occupy it again. His first grateful accents
smote almost reproachfalIy on my ear: "Misfor'
tune must have its turn, but every day has to-
morroW."
1t was indeed lesson to witness the gratitude
of this excellent creature. The hospital, &c
dreary sojourn to most of its inmates, was q
scene OF enjoyment TO him, every thing pleased
him and the poor fellows admiration of ever
the most trihing conveniences proved how severe
must have been his privatons. He never weariet
of praising the neatness Of the linen, the white
ness of the bread, the quality of the food; ant
my surprise gave place TO the truest pity, wheI
learned that, for the last twenty years, this re
spectacle old man could only afford himself, ou
of the profits of his persevering industry, the
coarscst bread, diversified with white cheese, o
vegetable porrldge; and yet Instead of reverlins
to his privations in the language of complaint
he converted them into fund of gratitude, ant
made the generosity Of the nation, which ha,
provided such retreat for the suffering poor, hi
continual theme. Nor did his thankful spiri
confne itself to this To listen to HIM, yo,
would have believed him an especial object O
divine as well as human nevolence--al thing
working for his good. The doctor used to say
that No. II had "mania for happiness )" but
was mania, that in creating esteem for its vic
tim, infused fresh courage into all that cam
within its range.
think still see him seated on the side of hi
bed, with his little black silk cap, his spectacle
and the well-worn volume, which he never ceas
ed perusing. Every morning, the first rays
the sun rested on his bed, always to him tres
subject of rejoicing and thanktulness 10 Goo
To witness his gratitude one might suppose tina
the sun vas rising for him alone need hardl
say that he soon interested himself in my cure
and regularly made inquiry respecting its pre-
gress. He always found something cheering t
say something to inspire patience and hop'
himself living commentary on his words. Whe
| looked at this poor, mo,lonless figure, thos
distorted limbs, and, crowning all, that smilin
countenance, had not courage to be angry, {
even to complain. At each painful crisis,
would exclaim: "0ne minute, and il all will
over--relief will soon follow. Every day has il
to-morro,o.'
had one true and good friend-a fellow
workman, who used sometimes to spare an hot
to visit me, and he took great delight in cul,ivs
ting an acquaintance with No. l2. As il a
tracted by kindred SPIRIT no never passed h
he'd without patIsnu IN offnr his rordial an luts