The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-08-15
Tbe sick Mans Deed of Love.


He was poor cripple-with fingers twist
i op, Of all useful shape, and lower limbs
lived so that he had TO draglthem afte
= YEARLY when he moved, poor, unhap
.r nurmurins and at times i'll natured Grip
=. Eating the bread that a mothers hard la
rroduced for him. For hours, ever,
.;r I.y during spring, summer, and autumn
=. m,sht be seen in front of the house where
% lived. leaning upon the gate, or sitting or
..o,! bench, looking with sober face al
.- romping village children, or dreamily re.
,,rIns the passengers who moved with
.ia strong limbs up and down the street.
How often bitter envy stung the poor Grip,
r.: heart How often as the thoughtless
.se children taunted him cruelty with his
,.ortune, would ne fling harsh maledictions
.-r them. Many pitied the poor cripple
-say looked upon him with feelings of dis
..,t and rrpuIson; but few, if any, sough,
:, 10 him good.
vt far from where the cripple lived was a
nan who had been bed-ridden for years, and
VI, likely to remain so TO the end of his days.
He was supported by the patient industry Of
wife.
i. good works were to be the only pass
,u, 10 heaven he said to neighbor one
AZ. nv chances would be small
We'll done, good and faithful servant is a
art Of The language Of welcome was repli-
RI; and this neighDor looked at the sick
-4q in way that made him feel little un-
..Mtorable.
4 an sick and bed-ridden-what can do y
L. spoke irettully.
When little is given, little is required
But if there be only single talent, it must
improved.
! have no talent said the invalid
Are YOU sure Of that:?'
What can | do? Look at me! No
.-a.th-no strength-no power to rise from
rs bed. A poor helpless creature, burden
.-' my wife. Better for me, and tor al, if
aere IN my grave
II that were SO, you would be in your
crave. But God knows best. There is
~mrthias for you to do, or you would be no
niger permitted to i've said the neighbor.
The sick man shook his head.
As came along Just now,' continued the
:shbor, 4 stopped to say word to poor
IaA Hicks, the cripple, as he stood swing
ag on the gate before his mothers house.
)oklng so unhappy that pitied him in my
aclt. What DO !ou do viii. .U".a~lr '.n
moush these long days, Tom asked
Nothing,' he replied, moodily.
Don't YOU read sometimes - l queried.-
Can't read, was his suilen answer. Were
ou never at SCHOOL, | went on. No !;
10, can get to SCHOOL, why don't your
notha. teach you?' Because she can't re ad
,-r'eIt,' replied Tom. 1T isn't too late to be-
ga now said /. encouragingly; suppose |
we're to tud some one willing to teach you,
7aat would you sayi' The poor lads face
nshtened as if the sunshine had fallen up
OMIT and he answered, Il would say that
thing could please me BETTER promised
= ind him a teacher, and as promised, the
.aousht OF you, friend Croft, came into my
nni Now, here is something that you can
g; good work in which you can employ
yllr one talent
The sick man did not respond warmly to
,a., proposition. He had been for so long a
1-rr recipient of good Offices had so long
et himself the object toward which pity and
'-ry,ce must tend-that he had nearly los,
Tie relish for good deeds. Idle dependence
lad made him selfish.
Give this poor cripple lesson every day,
went on the neighbor, pressing home thu
'l6.ect and talk and read to him. Take
1.m IN charge as one of Gods children, Wh(
.seIS to be instructed and led up to a high
7' lie than the one he is living. Is not thi
god and great work ? 1t is, my friend
.'- that God has brought to your hand, ant
q the doing Of which there will be great re
ward. What can you do? Much! Thinl
hat poor boys weary life, and Of the sad
-sE years that lie still before him. What vii
oecomt of MIN when his mother dies In
A'msAoase alone will open its doors for tn
@epess one. But who can tell what res1ul
Is may open before lin if stimulated b
"1lsht3 Take him, then, and unlock tn
-1ors Of mind that now sits in darknes
La, sunlight may come in. To yoa 1t WI
''e lew hours Of pleasant work each ga.
10 lin it will be lifelong benefit. Wi
!oado it?'
Yes
4Ae SICK man could not say NO, thous
ii lt'erlng that haf.extorted assent ne man
'Ts'1d no warm interest in the case OF pot
LON ii.cks
on the next day the cripple came to II
EcA man and received his first lesson; al
very day al an appointed hour, he was SET
:. !aF Croft's room, eager for the instructlt
@s received. Quickly he mastered the alph