Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-03-07
A POOR CRIPPLE.
,nt hnnn Is dnnd y

"That hope is dead"
The voice of the speaker was tender and
sorrowful.
What hope ?" asked the lady who sat
by his side.
"The hope that our boy would grow up
a strong and useful man." was answered
"But now he is poor cripplc-a wealllmg
to be carol for; hindrance in the world
instead Of power. Oh, it is bitter dis.
appointment! My poor boy! 1t were
better if God had taken him home to
Heaven"
"Do not say that, my husband" spoke
out the lady. 81 thank the good Father
that he has spared us our precious boy
His weakness and helplessncss make him
dearcr to our hearts. Don't fear but that
God will give him a place, and find work
for him to do"
But the father shook his head, and would
not take comfort into his heart. After
this he did not seem to care much for poor
little Alfred, who passed many hours OF
each day in bed, suffering great pain but
gave most Of his regard 60 Leon, bright,
active boy, two years younger than Alfred.
1t grieved the mother to see this partialty {;
the more so as it was felt by Alfred, who
loved his father, and often turned his pale
face to the wall to hide his tears when he
saw so much affection given TO Leon, while
he was scarcely noticed.
"A!fred is so sweet and patient" the
mother would often say.
"Poor child ! am glad of 1t for his sake
and yours" the father would answer.
There Is nothing left for him now but pa
tience."
And then he would begin to talk of Le-
on.
How strong and manly he grows. Sec
what a step be has; and how finely he bears
himself. Then he is 50 true, and generous,
and brave grow prouder of him every
day"
"Leon is good and noble; but Alfred is
so patient in suffering" answered the moth
er.
eyes, poor child 1t is all that is left for
him. Patient am glad that it is So" the
father answered, in a voice that showed
little interest.
One evening Leon came home from school
in bad state Of mind, He had quarrcled
with play mate, and was feeling angry
and rcvcngeful.
"I'll have it out with him tomorrow -
his father heard him say, passionatclv, and
with something cruel in his voice. "Pll
catch him as he goes to school-scc if |
DON'T" Leon was talking to Alfred the
while.
Then he heard Alfred say, in a gentle,
earnest tone:
Don't hurt HIM, brother. He isn't as
big as YOU"
"7rhcn let him keep civil tongue in his
mouth" replied Leon.
He's very quick, you know, Leon, and
will be sorry for what he has done in the
morning"
"Sorry I'll make him sorry y
But Lcon's voice was losing its anger.
"Wait for him to get sorry" said AL
fred
ooh, bother " said Leon, IN returning
good bumor 81 can't stay mad where you
are. But never mind if he troubles me
again, I'll have it out with him before you
know word Of it,"
And he ran out of the room.
For good while the father sat thinking
over this little incident. He remembered
what AlIred's mother had said" God will
give him place and find work for him to
do.n
Then flood of tenderness came into his
heart, and rising, he went into the cham
Der where the patient cripple lay, and sit
ting down beside the bed, took his thin
white hand and spoke to him in voice so
new and sweet that Alfred's eyes filled with
tears.
"HaEe you had any pain to-day 2" the
father asked.
at is all gone now" the boy answered
i am very well, and-and-happy."
Then the tears ran over his cheeks. lie
raised himself slowly and with an effort
and threw himself on his fathers breast
sobbing and trembling with a new de.
light.
"My poor, Gear boym exclaimed the faith
er, deeply moved.
"Love me father" pleaded the child.
"Oh, love mel"
81 love YOU" answered the father.
How calm and happy lay the boy CD bis
fathers breast. The very peace OF Heaven
was in his soul
And now love, more tender than that
felt for any of his children, was born for
Alfred in bis fathers heart. In his pity
was mingled less of regret and disappoint-
ment, and more ola sweet compassion. He
saw beauty in the thin, colorless face,
and depth of meaning in the large, beau
tiful eyes that he had never seen before.
THAT poor body holds an imprisoned
angel" he said to the mother one day. He
had come home vezad and out of humor.
Many things bad gone wrong with him.
His heart was full of anger against one who
had crossed bis path and tried to do him