The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-09-15
debsf laugh at the unfortunate.

There is nothing more despicable than
the habit which some people have, Of
laughing at the unfortunate. II, betokens
heart whose generous impules hare either
boen entirely eradicated, or crushed down
by pride and selfshness, and gives us no fiat
tering estimate of the character that can be
swayed by such base influences. t..
1onder stands poor cripple with face
so full OF untold agony, that you cannot gaze
upon it moved. There are deep lines of care
around the tremulous lips; the cheek is pale
and sunken; the large hollow eyes are elo-
quent with mourhful meaning, and the dark
brow seem knit with an expression of perpet-
ual pain. s. 80 E-r.ssa - ..
Two years ago she was "the fairest of
Beauty's race" and lifes brightest hopes
were before her. Her step was light and
elastic, and her form had all the graceful
symmetry Of youth and health. But disease
fastened its fangs upon her, and beneath the
scorching breath of fever her bloom and love-
illness faded. Long she appeared lowering
on the verge of the grave, but at length a
change came, and she slowly recovered
Once more she rose and went forth in the
haunts which her girlhood had loved, but
her old friends scarcely recognised her in the
feeble, wasted invalid. Now she looks timid-
ly around her almost despairing, for she
knows not how she shall thread her way
through the crowd, hurrying to and fro on
every hand. She has grown morbidly SEN
sitive during her Illness, and her spirit shrinks
from the cold, careless glances of the throng.
Tears gather on her eye-lashes, and her whole
frame quiyers like an aspen leaf
How can that beautiful young lady in her
rich attire sweep 50 scornfully by the invalid,
and laugh derisively at the wretehed creature,
as she moves onward
How can she saunter toward her home
with no remorseful thought of the mis-
cradle sufferer, whose face still glows with
the flush which that sneer aroused, and
whose aching heart yet thrills with the pain
so carelessly inflicted? How can she lie
down upon her sumptuous couch to night
without prayer for pardonl All these
are questions which we cannot answer.
At the corner of the street there is lit
tie fruit-stand, with half dozen apples and
as many pears two or three fine clusters of
grapes, and few walnuts and almonds An
old man sits beside it from early drawn till
.eventide, anxiously watching the passers-by,
and murmuring broken words Of thanks
when any one drops coin into his bony
hand. His face is bronzed by exposure to
the sun and wind, and his thin locks are
bleached with care and sorrow.
But in the prime of his manhood he was a
gallant soldier, and fought bravely for his
native land. 1t was while boldly defending
fortress from the attacks of the foe. that
his arm was shot away, and he was disabled
for active service. Change after change came;
sickness, poverty, woe and now an exile, he
he earns the paltry sum which supports him
and his feeble wife at that scanty fruit stall.
Yet he often hears the mocking laugh. the
stringing taunt, or the careless Jest of those
who jeer at the unfortunate. %
These are not unusual occurrences. Alas.
MOI they are becoming too frequent and
cannot pass over them in silence. It is
enough to endure poverty and hardship: il
is enough to toll and struggle without hav-
ing the heavy burden increased by scorn
and contempt. 4
To those who thus sport with misfortune,
we would say, do you ever ask yourselves
who made you to differi" Do you realize
that you may be deprived Of the blessings
which nave been lavished upon you III
would be well if you would think of these
things, and prepare for them. Above all,
learn 10 feel compassion and sympathy for
the sufferings of your fellow-beings, and new
er again laugh at the unfortunate.
IMMoRrALrry OF MAS.--Why is It that
the rainbow and cloud come over us with a