The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-12-25
THE LITTLE CRIPPLE.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

Grandma" said little Edgar, arousing
himself from deep study, and breaking
long silence, during which widow Wal.
than had been busy with her own
thoughts, u don't like st. Nicholas"
why, Edgar, what has he done oyouP
People say he is very kind to good chill.
dren."
"Well, l don't like Inn because he don't
love poor people. When We lived in a
tine house and had nice furniture, and
plenty 10 eat and wear, he used to hang
the Christmas tree in our front parlor
with beautiful presents; but since We have
been living in this little house in the cor.
ner Of the woods, and have no money, no
servants, nor horses, nor carriage, he has
brought US nothing. He knows l can't
run, and Jump, and skate like other boys,
and can do nothing to assist you. must
stay In the house during the cold weather,
and when the warm days of spring come,
cannot hobble further than out to the
road and back again. He must know
that you are sick q great deal, and that
we often suffer from cold and hunger. l
wish Uncle James would come back"
The little speaker was verging IN TO his
ninth year., His short life had been one
OF privation and pain. Idolized by his
Grandma-now ell she had to love-his
very suferings call forth in her pure wo.
manly heart, a love for him which moth.
ing but his sad condition could inspire,
He was a fayorite with everybody who
knew him. He had sweet temper, and
Artless, winning ways. He was the pet
Of the neighborhood; but nothing seemed
to spoil him. If his speech displayed a
spirit and temper so opposite to his gen.
eral character, it Is due him to say that
this was time Of peculiar trial-they
had nearly reached the lowest depths Of
poverty and suffering.
These reflections Of the child called up
a train Of painful thoughts in themlnd Of
the widow. Five years before the Wal
thans had been regarded as among the
wealthiest families In the town of B..
Then she had husband, son, and daugh-
ter. The loss Of vessel at sea, on which
persisted her son.in.law, the father Of lit
tie Edgar,-and the failure Of a firm for
which Mr.. Walthsm was heavy indor-
ser, financially ruued him. He placed all
his assets, real and personal, in the hands
OF his creditors. who generously decided
TO his wife the small house, then belong
Ing to the "Waltham farm" In which we
have introduced her.
Sometime previous 10 his reverse Of
fortune, the health Of Mr.. Waltham had
been declining, and in less than year af-
ter settling down in their humble home,
he passed away from earth. A few
months later the widowed Anna followed
hum 70 hegrave, leaving tho cripple
Edgar to the care oil his GAndma.
On the failure OF Mr.. Waltham, their
only son james had mysteriously dissp+
peared, and for five years no certain inl0r-
nation had been received ironsh;m.
As these facts rose before her mind,
presenting painful contrast between the
past and the present, It would be claim
ing a perfection for human nature that
does not belong to Ii, TO say that the tears
which ran down her cheeks were not
prompted by feelings Of regret as well as
those.of sorrow. The severe. discipline
Of the past few years had taught her
many valuable less0ns-she was learning