The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-29


strongly attracted the boys in the neighbor
hood, and he usually had three or four O
them around him, and often dozen, late II
the afternoon, when the schools were out
As Tom had entered u new world-the worl'
OF books-and was interested in all he foun'
there, the subjects on which he talked will
the boys who sought his company were al
ways instructive. There was no nonsense
low, sensual talk, to which boys are some
times addicted, found no encouragement II
his presence. His influence over these boy
was therefore Of the best kind.
The parents of some Of the children, wher
they found their sons going so often to thu
house Of Tom Hicks, felt doubts as to the safe
ty of such intimate intercourse with thu
cripple. toward whom few were prcpossessed
as he bore in the village the reputation Of be
ing ill-tempercd and depraycd, and ques
toned them very closely in regard to tho na'
ture of their intercourse. The report o
these boys took the parents by surprise; but
on Investigation il proved to be true, and
Toms character soon rose in the public esti'
nation.
Then came, as q natural consequence, in
qulries as to the cause of such change in
the unfortunate lad and the neighbor oi
the sick man who had instructed Tom told
the story of Mr.. Croft's agency in the mat
ter. This interested the whole town in both
the cripple and his bed-ridden instructor
The people were taken by surprise at such a
notable instance Of the great good which
may sometimes be done where the means look
discouragingly small. Mr.. Croft was praised
for his generous conduct; and not only praised
but helped by many who had until now felt
Indifferent toward his case-ior his good work
rebuked them for neglected opportunities.
The cripples eagerness to learn, and rapid
progress under the limited advantages, be-
coming generally known, a gentleman, whose
son had been one of Toms visitors, and who
had grown to be better boy under his in
fluence, offered to send him in his Wagon
every day to the school-house, which stood
half mile distant, and have him brought
back in the afternoon.
1t was the happiest day in Tom life when
he was helped down from the Wagon and
went hobbling into the schOol-room.
Before leaving home on that morning he
had made his way up to the sick room Of MIR.
Croft.
Il owe it all to you,' he said, as he brought
the white, thin hand Of his beneiactor to his
lips. Ii was damp with more than kiss
when no laid it back gently on the bed
.And our Father in heaven will reward you.
You have done good work, said the
neighbor who had urged Mr.. Croft to I'M
prove his one talent, rs ho sat talking with
him ON that evening about the poor cripple
and his opening prospects, (which will not,
! trust, be forgotten in that day when the
record Of life is opened. Not because of the
work itself. but for the true charity which
prompted the work. 1t was begun, know,
In some seli-denial, but that seli-denial was
for anothcr's good and because you put
away love Of ease and Indifference, and forced
yourself to do kind Offices, because our Hcay-
enly Father has commanded it, God will
send heavenly love of doing good into your
soul. which always includes great reward.
You said,' continued the neighbor, 'only
few months ago, "What can do?" and
spoke as man who felt that he was deprived
oil all tho means of accomplishing good and
vet you have, with but little effort, lifted u
human soul out of the dark valley of igno-
rance where it was grouping in selt-torture,
and placed il on an ascending mOuntain-path.
The light OF hope has fallen, through your
aid with sunny warmth upon heart that was
cold and barren little while ago, but is now
green with yerdure and blOssoming in sweet
promise Of fruit. Tue infinite years TO come
alone can reveal the blessings that will flow
from this one act OF bed.ridden man, who
felt that in him was no capacity for good
deeds
The advantages Of school being placed
within the reach Of Tom Hicks, he gave up
all thought of serious difficulty. His bent
stiff fingers could not be made to hold either
pen or pencil in the right position, or to use
them in such way rs to make inteiligible
signs. But Tom was too much in earnest
10 give up on the first, or second, or third
effort. He found, after great many trials,
that he could hold pencil more hrmly than
at first, and guide his hand in some obedience
10 his will. This was sufficient to encourage
him to daily lOng-continued efforts, the re-
suit of which was gradual yielding OF the
rigid muscles, which became in time 50 Hex
ible that he could make quito passable fg-
ures, and write fair hand. This did not
satisfy him, however. lie was ambitious to
do better; and so kept ON trying and trying,
until few boys in the school could give a
iairer copy.
.Haye YOU heard the news?' said neigh.
bor to Mr.. Croft, the poor bed.ridden man.
Ii was five years from the day he gave the
poor cripple, Tom Hicks, his first lesson.
What news?' the sick man asked, in q
feeble voice, not even turning his head to-
wards the speaker. Life's pulses were run
ming very low. The strong struggle with
disease was nearly over.
tom Hicks has received the appointment
Of teacher to our public school,
'Arc you in earnestY There was min
Cling OF surprise and doubt in the low tones
that crept out upon the air.
Yes; it is true what say. You know
that after Mr.. Wilson died, the directors
got Tom, who was fsyorite with all the
scholars, to keep the school together for q
few weeks until a successor could be appoin-
ted. lie managed so well, kept such good
order and showed himself SO capable us an
instructor, that when the election took place
to-day. he received u large majority OF votes
over number OF highly recommended teach
ers. and this without his having made appli-
cation for the situation, or even dreaming
Of such thing
At this moment the cripplc's well.known
shutting tread and the rattle OF crutches was
heard on the stairs. He came up with more
than his usual hurry. Croft turned with
an effort, go as to get sight Of him us he
entered the room.
Il have heard the good news he said, as
he reached hand freely toward Tom, 'and |,
has made my heart glad
Il owe it all to you replied the cripple, in
a voice that trcmbled with feeling. God
will reward YOU
And he caught the shadowy hand, touch.
cd it with his lips and wet II with grateful
tears, as once before. Even as he hello
that thin, white hand, the low moving pulls
es took a lower bea,-lower and lower
until the long suffering heart grew still ant
IL