National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-03-08
4 POOR CRIPPLE.

That hope Is dead"
the voice of the speaker was tender anC
sorowful.
" What hope ?" asked the lady who sat
by his side.
The hope that our boy would grow III
strong and useful man" was answered.
But now he is poor cfipplc-a weakng
TO be cared for; hindrance in the world
instead of power Oh, it is bitter dis
appointment My poor boy It were
better If God had taken him home to
Heaven"
" Do not say that, my husband" spoke
owl the lady. 81 thank the good Father
nat be has spared us our precious boy
liIs Weakness and helplcssness make him
Nearcr 10 our hearts. Don't fear but that
God will give him a place, and fiud work
for him to do"
Bat the father shook his head, and would
no. take comfort into his heart. After
thI' he did not seem to care much for poor
mite Alfred, who passed many hours OF
each day IN bed, suffering great pam: but
gave most OF his regard to Leon, a bright
@'Iye boy, two years younger than Alfred
II gneycd the mother TO see this partiality
the more 50 as it was felt by Alfred, who
loved his father, and often turned his pale
1ce TO the wall to hide his tears when he
saw so much affection given'to Leon. while
be was scarcely noticed
Alfred is so sweet and patient,n the
mother would often say.
Poor child | am glad of It for his sake
and yonrs," the father would answer. |
There Is nothing left for him now but pa
tencen
And then be would begin to talk of Le-
on.
bow strong and manly he grows. See |
Waat step he has and how finely he bears
INNS It. Then he is 50 true, and generous.
an brave. grow prouder of him every
Leon is good and noble; but Alfred is
So patient III suffering" answered the moth
Yes, poor child 1t is all thatis left for
-lln' Patient am glad that it is So" the
iatber answered, in a voice that showed
little interest.
One evening Leon came home from school
+" bad state OF mind. He bad quatl cled
N'tn pIay mate, and was feeling angry
and TcycneeiuI.
III have it out with him tomorrow -
Dis father heard him say, passionatcly, and
with something cruel in his voice. I'm
,nich him as he goes to school-scc if
don't!" Leon was talking to Alfred the q,
while.
Th-n he heard Alfred say, in a gentle.
earnest toue:
Don't hurt hlm, brother He isn't as
big as vou."
Then let him keep civil tongue in his {
MOUTH" replied Leon.
Hes 7ery quick. you know, Leon, and = =
viii be sorry for what he has done in the !
morning. i
Sorry III make him sorry p
But Lcon's voice was losing its anger. =
Wait for him to get sorry" said Al 6
"Oh, bother " said Leon, IN returning !:
good Pumor " can't stay mad where you :,
arc But never mind; if he troubles me n
gg"n' III have it out III him before you !
snow word OF it" y
ana he ran out of the room. 81
for good while the father sat linking =,
I'er this little incident. He remem cred !,
"oat Alfred's mother bad said" God y = =
I've hlm place and find work for him to ~
Then food of tenderness came into his
t-'lr'- and rising, be went into the cham g
..I -. Where the patient cripple lay, and sit ST
.5g down beside the bed, took his thin IL
1Aite hand and spoke to him in voice so p
.g| and sweet that Altred's eyes filled with 81
All nave you bad any pain to-day 2" the j
- IL IS all gone now." the boy answered. &C
Tl S'n very well, nd-and-happy" t.
men the tears ran over his cheeks. He te
~ r'se'i himself slowly and with an effort. ju
,iI ,p, !hrew himself on his fathers brea st. OF
lung and trembling with q new de pt
a,, 81
;, Ay poor. Gear boym exclaimed the faith
- uaeply moved.
oh, love me,n ~ =. y,