The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-02-16

@Vt ASOos
had once driven him from their green with
shouts Of scornful laughter. So he turned
down shaded lace, that led to n dark
pine wood. Through the heart Of this wood
stole still stream Of cool water. Upon
mossy knoll, on its bank, Hugh threw him.
self down TO cherish sad thoughts.
'To be shoemaker all my days, and
stay in stived-up shop :" thought he; 81
can't bear il but what else can do! Who
cares for mo {! wish was dead-so l do"
He laid his pale cheek on tho soft moss,
and watered It with bitter tears. As he
raised his eyes at length, they lighted on
clear blossom of tho fringed gentian. As
he took the flower in his hand, It seemed to
him as though its fiinged blue eye looked
lovingly into his, saying, "God made mel"
"GOd made you-yes; made you sweet
and beautiful, but how did he mako me 7"
reasoned tho bewildered boy, whose ro-
belious feelings had by no means left him.
Still he looked fxedly into the flower.
81 don't laugh at your huncf ed shoulders,
Hugh" it seemed to him again to bo saying
softly.
"No-You don't; and If thero was ono
living blue oye that looked as kind rs yours"
Tho stopped and thought for moment Of
littls Lilla and her mother. "But that was
only PITY; even kind people can never loyo
me. wonder il the angels in Heaven will
love me ! My mother will, I know'-and
his lips trembled. "But / am afraid I nev.
er shall be fit to 90 to her. If these naughty
feelings stay in my heart! | can't help them
either. IL must DO God made me for Somc-
thing, as we'll as this dear little flower
Yes, he gave me soul-the little girl said
that Perhaps my soul could do some-
thing in tho world, though my body is poor
and crooked. Ill TRY"
And with these little magic words, Hugh
sprang up from his knoll, bu,,oned the flow.
or in his vest, and made his way homoward
to his work.
Five years have flown. In the hall Of
village academy, knot of school girls are
discussing weighty matter. The young
men OF the academy have been delivering
orations of their own composition. for
prize and tho result has astonished every
one.
sis it not too bad" says Sarah, "that
SUCH fellow should win the prize!'
"Why, has he not rs good q right as any
of thcmp' asked blue.cyed girl Of fourteen
ut her side.
"Oh, RIGHT, to be sure but l shouldn't
think such q deformed piece Of humanity
would be very forward to push himself be.
fore other people J" -,
"Should he not mako the most Of the gifts
God HAS given him! It is unjust Sarah He
won the prize fairly. and spoke nobly! you
ought not to bo 80 unkind"
II suppose you think NO prize too great for
him." responded Sarah, with q malicious
little laugh. "Perhaps ho will offer his
services in escorting you TO the picnic next
Monday in return for your eloquent defence
Of his rights. The Lilly of Lisbon Acade.
my as Professor r. called her, would be
honored by such company"
"She would indeed DO honored, Sarah, by
any mark of esteem from one whose opinion
Is worth something replied the bluo.eyed
girl, proudly arching her graceful neck.
"Did you never learn those lines OF Watts
81 would be measured by my sonl.
"You arc most unaccountable girl, Lila
Winstan! But good evening II must not
stand fooling any longer" And away went
Sarah, followed by most Of her mates, while
Lila returned to The schoolroom to search
for missing book.
"TnANH YOU, Miss Winstan.' These
words, spoken almost in her ear, as she was
bending over her desk, caused her to lift her
head with start and blush OF surprise.
The deformcd Hugh, now q young man of
somo seventeen years, stood by her chair,
gazing ut her with those mournful, deep,
black eyes, which had often won her sympa-
"Bless you for your words Of kindness
they have done more for me than hundred
prizes could I have learned that there is
at least ono in the world who will Judge me
by truit-and not by sight" /
In tho pulpit Of ono Of tho principal
churches Of D., rises Sabbath by Sabbath,
pae.laced high-browcd man, whose de-
formity is the first feature to catch the eye
of q stranger. 1t is not until you hear him
speak-unlil you catch the fire from his eye,
and the enthusiasm from his lips, that you
forget to pity the speaker. You do not
wonder then that no Is willing to come be.
foro the public eye weekly, oven with the
weight of his natural defects; for who can
think Of these. when once carried away by
tho tide Of his eloquence!
Yes: Hugh has gained his end. Ho is
measured by his soul in tho sight Of oil
who know him. He has striven nobly by
The help of his Maker, to ft that soul for
companionship with The spotless apostles
and angels, and ray OF their own puro
light seems to have fallen upon it.
If any ono wonders at seeing. after the
church services are over, q young. proud,
beautiful woman, lay her white hand upon
the deiormed preachers arm to walk down
the richly cerpeted aisle, they have but to
look into Lilla's face for tho solution Of the
mystery. Lila not only loves the crippled
form at her side, better than the most
matchless ones Of earth but she isproud
of her noble husband