The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-04-16
A POOR CRIPPLE.

Oh, it is bitter disappointment! Ny
poor boy! 1t were better if God had
taken him home to heaven"
do not say that, my husband" con
tinued the lady. Il thank the good ia
ther that he has spared us orr precious
boy. His weakness and helplessnes:
makes him dearer to our hearts. Dom
fear but that God will give him 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 tC
Leon, bright, active boy, two years
younger than Alfred. 1t grieved the
mother to see this partiality, 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.
"Alfred is so sweet and patient" the
mother would often say.
Poor child! l am glad Of it for his
sake and yours" the father would an
swer. "There is nothing left for him
now but patience"
And then he would begin to talk OF
Leon.
"How strong and manly he grows
See what step he has: and how finely
he bears himself Then he is so true
and generous and brave. l grow prouder
of him every day
Leon is good and noble; but Alfred
is SO patient in suffering answered the
mother.
Eyes, poor child! 1t is all that is left
for him. Patient-1 am glad that it is
So" the father answered, in voice that
showed little interest.
One evening Leon came home from
school in bad state Of mind. He had
quarreled with a playmate, and was feel
ing angry and revengeful.
'sTll have it out with him to morrow
his father heard him say passionately,
and with something cruel in his voice.
"Tll catch him as he goes to school, see
if l don't!' Leon was talking to AL.
fred the while.
Then he heard Alfred say, i'll a gentle
earnest tone:
sDon't hurt him. brother. He isn't as
big as you''
"Then let him keep a 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"
But Leon's voice was losing its anger
"Wait for him to get sorry" said AL
fred
ooh, brother" said Leon in returning
good humor; II can't stay mad where
you are But never mind if he troubles
me again, I'll have il out with him before
you know word of it"
And he ran out Of the room.
For a good while the father sat think
ing over this little incident. He remem
bered what Alfred's mother had said -
God will give him a place and find
work for him to do"
Then flood of tenderness came into
his heart, and rising, he went into the
chamber where his patient cripple lay
and sitting down beside the bed, took
his thin, white hand and spoke to him in
voice so new and sweet that Alfred
eyes filled with tears.
"Have you had any pain to day ?" the
father asked.
ut is all gone now," the boy answer,
ed II am very we'll and-and-happy.' u
Then the tears ran over his cheeks
He raised himself slowly and with an
effort, and threw himself on his father
breast, sobbing and trembling with Q
new delight.
"My poor, dear boy!' exclaimed the
father deeply moved.
"Love me, father" pleaded the boy.
"Oh, love men'
81 love you," answered the father.
How calm and happy lay the boy on
his father breast. The very peace of
heaven was in his soul.
And now love,more tender than that
felt for any of his children, was borne
for Alfred in his fathers breast. In his
pity was mingled less of regret and dis
appointment, and more of sweet COM
passion. He saw beauty in the thin,
colorless face, and depth OF meaning
in the large, beautiful eyes that lie had
never seen before.
THAT poor body holds an imprisoned
angel" lie said to the mother one day
He had come home vexed and out of
humor. Many things had gone wrong
with him. His heart was full Of anger
toward one WHO had crossed his path
and tried to do him wrong; and the
tempter,who knows his opportunity, was
filling his mind with thoughts of retalia-
ton.
But when he looked into tie face of
Alfred and saw its patient sweetness, an
cry feelings and evil thoughts vanished
like morning m;sts in the sunshine. He
forgot the fretting trials of the day, and
was lifted into tranquil regions.
"More and more every day do feel
this" answered the mother. "God is
good to our dear boy, and good to us in
him "
"And he is only cripple-a helpless
sufferer-a burden and a care," said the
father, his voice dropping into tender,
regretful tone.
"Oh, mol Don't say burden and a
eare," was quickly replied. ut is my
daily delight to be with him, and to min
lister to his needs Love gets as sweet
a return now as when he first lay babe
upon my BOSOM
The years passed on, and Alfred
found his work. 1t was a good and
great work. though he krew it not.
They serve the Lord who only stand and
wait"
He did more; he stood waiting will
sweet patience that diffused itsel
around him in sphere as palpable tt
the spirital sense rs the odor OF Howe
is 10 the natural sense, and all who came
near him felt the tranquilizing power 0
this heavenly atmosphere. Leon grew