Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-09-28
without Hands or Feet.

without Hands or Feet.
"What are you going to tell me about to.
night, Auntyl said mcreilcss little Walter,
who thought, because had taken short trip
abroad that ! must have a never failing fund
Of stories in reserve, from which he could draw
at his pleasure.
Having become somewhat weary Of desert
bing the Geological Gardens and such " lions e"
| proposed to tell him of wonderful man Of
whom | heard much while 10 England, though
lnever saw him myself man without hands
or feet
"O,is there such mani and where does he live,
and how came be so 2' said Walter, In breath
" Y es there is such man, | replied
"lIis name is Arthur Kavanagh, and he has
no arms below the elbow Joint, and only short
stumps for legs He is now about Glty-fye
years old. lie was born in ireland Of high
family, his mother being connected with the
nobility. The story Is sometimes told, which
many ignorant superstitous people believe,
that before his birth his mother, having pic
ture Of the Virgin Mary and wishing to show
that she did not consider that more holy
than anything else made By hands, tore It
carclessly in pieces II SO happened that both
arms and leg. were torn of and her child be-
ing born like this mutiiated picture, it was re-
garded as a punishment for her irrcyerence
But others, not trying to explain or under
stand why God 20 created a human being are
astonished at the rare compensating gifts which
he possesses that make nun less an object OF
pity than OF genuine admiration. Indeed,
when we come to know more about him, we
cannot call him altogether unfortunate
Why not Z asked Walter
" because, though he has dwaried body,
God has gwen him q noble mind and warm
heart. When very young he resolutey de-
termined to make the most OF himself that Is,
to improve aud cultivate to the utmost all the
faculties he atd possess. One way by which
he accomplished his purpose was Herer, aflder
any circumstances, 10 allo'o others TO do any
WtHg tor h'pi Wl'cH u 'oaS poSs'Dfe Jor nm
10 ao aipiSeY TINS seems the more remark
able, when we consider that his parents were
very wealthy and that there were always
plenty Of servants to wait upon himi but he
disdained all help excepting IN cases where
1t was absolutely necessary.
Here was led TO stop ana inquire If a
certain lad OF my acquaintance was equally
anxious to be seli-roliant aud independent
| torebore pressing the subject, and proceeded
to tell now Arthur hayanagh great energy
and perseverance brought hlm almost incredi-
ble skllli--ior everything Whlch he saw his
brothers and sisters do he attempted, and
often accomplished with equal II not greater
dezterity.
But DO tell me what ala he do what coHld
any one do without hands y asked Walter.
II would be easier 70 tell what he could
-oi do' replied " but VIII mention some
oil ms accomp mpllshments. lie writes very
plainly and rapidly. l have seen MS auto
graph which would be crcditaole to any one.
lie e1ceis M drawing ana painting IN water
colors' 10 DO thls he mas his !encu or brush
strapped to ms ittle stump OF an arm. lie
Is fond OF driving span OF spirited horses,
which he does by having the reins and whip
fastened to his body'--and 1t Is SAID that he
Is apt to make frequent use oil the whip lie
rides horseback by being strapped TO- his sad
die. Formerly he spent much time IN hunt
ing and 1t Is SAID that he '9 a capital shot ,
but his tayorlte amusement Is yachting and
has written very Interesting book called
The Cruise OF Eva, which gives an account
OF his adventures IN yatch IN which he has
taken several long voyages lie has written
other books and some short poems Of more
than ordinary merit.
Well, well, said Walter, " am prepared
to believe anything now y But you have not
told me how he walks
lie cannot walk OF course but he has
several KINDS OF carriages IN which he Is
wheeled about, and he Is so small and so light
that he can be moved very easily. a friend
told me that he once saw him sitting under
an oak tree on bis ostate giving orders to his
steward wishing to leave he jumped upon
the back OF his servant when Instantly a
monkey "a iayorito pep jumped upon his
back, which amused hun as much as 1t did
all present, But think you could never
guess how he goes about the house or rather
the room IN which he may be sitting, AS he
does not wish to trouble others unnecessarily
he propels himself without help-lying down
on the floor and rolling over and over tlll he
reaches whatever in the room he desires.
This he does with perfect dignity and self
~" WY" "' ui"" 'Oo'' .
filled with distinguished visitors.
Why !" said Walter docs be have yisi'
tors2 | should not think he would want any
one to see him'
so one might think' Tor we have all seen
persons who were so sllly as to make them
selves unhappy over nothing worse than
crooked nose or because thelr hair was not
Just the color they iancied. but Arthur