The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-29
VOL. XVII.
Mlstellaneous.
THE SICK MANS
DEED OF LOVE.

locOmo,iOn-a poor, unhappy, murmurlng
and, at times, ill-natured cripple, eating tn
bread which a mothers hard labor procure'
for him. For hours every fair day durin,
spring, summer and autumn, he might b
seen in front Of the house where he lived
leaning upon the gate, or sitting on an ole
bench, looking with sober face ut the romp
ing village children, or dreamily regarding
the passengers who moved with such strong
limbs up and down the street. How Otter
bitter envy stung the poor cripple's heart
How often, rs the thoughtless village chill
dren taunted him cruelty with his misfor
tune, would he fling harsh maledictions aftel
them. Many pitied the poor cripple; many
looked upon him with feelings OF disgust anC
repulsion; but few, If any, sought to DO hin
good.
Not far from where the cripple lived wa:
a man who had been bed.ridden for years
and who was likely TO remain so to the end
OF his days. lie was supported by the pa
tient industry Of wife.
If good works were TO be the only pass
port 20 heaven he said TO u 6eighbOr one
day. 'my chance would be SMALL
'"Well done, good and faithful servant" T"
is part of the language OF welcome was
replied; and the neghbOr looked at the sick
man in way that made him feel u little un-
comfortable.
Il am sick and bcd-ridden-what can
dor he spoke, fretiully.
j .When little is given, little Is required
| But il there be only single talent, it must
be improved
Il have no talent, said the invalid.
Are you sure Of thatg
what can | do? Look at me! No
health-uo strength-no power to rise from
this bed. A poor, helpless creature, burden.
ing my wife. Better for me, and for all, II
| were in my grave.
IF that were 50, you would be in your
grave. But God knows best. There is some
thing for you 20 do, )r you would be no lon
ger permitted to live,' said the neiShDor'
The sick man shook his head.
AS came along just now,' continued the
neighbor, Il stopped to say word to poor
Tom Hicks, the cripple, as he stood swinging
on the gate before his mothers house, look
ing so unhappy that ! piiied him in my heart.
What do you do with yourself all through
these long days, Tom p asked. Nothing,
no replied mOodily. Don't you read some
times?' | queried. Cant read was his
sullen answer. Were you never at school?'
went on. NO; how can get to school?'
.Why don't your mother teach your Be
cause she can read herself,' replied Tom
at isn't too late to begin now said |. en-
couragingly suppose | were to find some
one willing to teach you, what would you
ayg The poor lads face Frightened US IT
the sunshine had fallen upon it ; and he an.
swered, Il should say that nothing could
please me better promised to find him a
teacher, and us promised, the thought oi
YOU, friend Croft. came into my mind. Now
here is something that you can do; good
work in which you can employ your one tai
ent.'
The sick man did not respond warmly to
this imposition. He had been so long q
mere recipient of good oiEces-had 50 long
felt himself the object toward which pity
and service must tend-that he had nearly
lost the relish for good deeds. Idle depen-
dence had made him selfish. .
Give this poor cripple lesson every day,
went on the neighbOr, pressing home the
subject, 'and talk and read TO him. Take
him in charge. as one of Gods children, who
needs to bo instructed and led up to a higher
life than the one he is living. Is not this a
good and great work? Ii is, my friend I;
one that God has brought to your hand, and
in the doing OF which there will be great re-
ward. What can ysu do7 Much Think
of that poor boys weary life, and Of the
sadder years that lie still before him. What
will become of him when his mother dies !
The alms-house alone will open its doors for
the helpless one. But who can tell what
resources may oper before him if stimulated
by thought. Take him, and unlock the
doors OF mind that now sits in darkness,
that sunlight nay come in. To you il will
TO him it will be lifelong benefit. VIII
.you do itf
Yes
The sick man could not say no. though
in uttering that halteStorted assent he man.
iiested no warm interest in the case Of poor
Tom Hicks.
On the next day the cripple came to the
sick man and received bis first Lesson and
every day. at an appointed hour, he was in
Mr.. CrOit's room, eager for tho instruction
he received. Quickly he mastered the alpha
bet, and as quickly learned to construct
small words preparatory to combining them
, in n reading lesson. After three or four
days the sick man, who had undertaken this
work with reluctance, began IN find his heart
going down into it. Tom was 80 grateful,
that Mr.. Croft found the task OF instructing
! him real pleasure. The neighbor who had
. suggested this useful employment Of the in
yalid's time looked in now and then to 81
2 how matters were Progressing, and to speak
words Of encouragement.
: Poor Tom was seen less frequently thar
before hanging on the gate or sitting idly or
6 the bench before his mothers dwelling; ant
: when YOU did find him there as OF old, you
saw different expression on his face. Soot
> the children, who had only looked at him
J half in fear. from distance, or come closet
10 the gate where he stood gaziug with hi
strange eyes out into the street, in order &
: worry him, began TO have different feeling
{ for the cripple, and ono and another stoppeS
D occasionally to speak with him, for Tom M
|, longer made queer faces or looked at them a
N he would harm them IL in his power, no
. retorted angrily if they said any thing t
worry him. And now II often happene'
, that a little boy or girl, who had pitied tn
, poor cripple and feared him at the same time
would offer him flower or an apple, or
handful of nuts. in passing TO school am
q he would take these gifts thankfully, ant
y feel better all day in remembrance oil IN
!. kindness with which they had been DC
s slowed. Sometimes he would ask to SEQ thei
b books, and his eyes would run eagerly owe
r the pagcs far in advance of his comprehen
70 sion, yet with the hope in his heart OF on
70 day mastering them-for he had become al
10 athirst for knowledge.
Is As soon as Tom could read, the childrel
in the neighborhoOd. who had grown to lik
N him, and always gathered around him at tn
gate when they happened to find him there
as supplied him with books, 80 that he had al
Is abundance OF mental food, and now begal
- A. -.,,,.,, III b,,ae,.,cx AZ. III -.ll- % % !