Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-01-10
T he Invalid.

Not child's face certainly, nor yet wO.
mans, for though it suggested both, there was
something in it that trauscended any face ol
child or woman that | had ever seen, d..
vine peace that, won through anguish had
bossomed into JOY. Such a face as the mar
tyrs might have worn in the intervals Of tor
ture, when the remembrance Of suffering was
swallowed up in the consciousness Of sustain
ing love. Small and delicate in outline, it
was neither emaciated nor cadayerous, but
luminous from a soul unfaltering in its trust,
securely anchored on something stronger than
itself If had had any thought Of acting
the part Of helper to one in need, Of offering
sympathy, in the accustomed phrases, to one
long debarred from the joys Of active life,
shut in from the beauty Of the outdoor
world, it died out in the presence of that face,
was utterly forgotten before the marvel Of
those clear eyes that shone with a light as
steady and assured as the light Of stars. Sick.
room patitudes had no place at that bedside,
and coincidence would have been as incongru-
Gus as though offered on the loss of his means,
to one who had invested all that he had in
field that contained an inexhaustibe mine Of
gold. ln the presence of this invalid giIl, |
recognized something that made intellectual
atta:nments meager, wealth an impertinence,
and even good health thing to be carried
modestly, not faunted in tho face Of the
world, as one of the best things life has to
give.
am glad to see you,' she said, smiling,
and giving me hand exquisitely small and
delicate. have wanted to see you, but
am compelled, as you see, to wait for people
to come to me-" No queen could have re-
ceiyed guest with more perfect self-posses-
sion, for to this pure soul suffering had been
teacher not only of every Christian grace,
but of that tranquility and self-I oise that is
the secret Of the best manners
am afraid you find the days very long, "
| said, clumsily broaching the very subject
had meant to avoid.
Oh, no." she answered eheerfully, 4" not
too long, usually sleep late. The pain
will not let me sleep much during the night,
but towards morning fall asleep, and often
do not wake till nine or ten then sister gets
me up and | have my breakfast and that
uses up couple hours, and after that read
awhile, and then | am so tired that | am
very glad to get back to bed, and by the time
| am little rested it is night again no. the
days are not long"
And the nights ?" | asked.
Yes, they are long but | wouldn't mind
if the pain would only let me keep still, so
that sister could sleep. don't know why it
is so much worse at night, but sometimes |
can't help groaning, and then she is awake
in an instant, and that is so hard for me to
bear, for | know how hard she works all day.
and then being awake so much at night is
fairly wearing her out" and here the eyelids
fell and a tear or two stole from under them
and rolled down the pale cheek. "You see
she has had the care Of me so long, and be-.
fore that, Of mother and grandmother, her
whole life has been given to taking care OF
the sick
How long have you been confined to your
bed as you are now ?" | asked.
Fifteen years"
| suppressed the exclamation that rose TO
my lips, for the words were pronounced quite
simply, as one would say that he had lived
in particular house or neighborhood fifteen
years. She was little more than child when
the accident occurred that took her away
from all the interests and activities Of life,
aud consigned her, an incurabc invalid and
helpless cripple, to her bed. During all
these years she had been constant sufferer,
and some hours out Of every twenty-four
were hours Of agony, and yet she had no
word Of complaint or repining on her own
account, and the only tears she lot fall were