Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-02-05
sam, the Cripple.

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black hold below to the delicate white rail-
ing on top, os well as he did his wile's face
and figure. People said, too, he was as
fond Of one as the other. He was stand
ing one evening, leaning over the deck rail.
ing, watching the sun 20 down behind the
Virginia hills, when one Of the passengers
came upon him.
That's q curious fellow yonder," nod
ding to lame boy who was sitting on the
deck, whiting. " Work on the boat ?"
Sam? Wen, no, | can't say Sam works,
exactly. You see he has no more strength
as to body than cat. Lots Of head
Good brain, sir"
noticed him selling some trihes this
morniug-odd little toys and charms for
a lady's watch chain"
" He made those, Sem did. ia like to
look into his pen. Sam !"
Sam stopped whiting aud shut up his
knife, aud then imped up. He had a
thin but remarkably pleasant, even jolly
face.
{" I'd ike you to show Judge Brooks your
cubby-hole yonder, lad" watching them as
they walked away together. Somebody, be
thought, ought to give Sam helping hand,
aud he was perpelualy boasting Of the boy
to every passenger, in the hopes that some
Of them would be interested ia him.
" 1t wouldn't cost Brooks the rent Of one
house, he said to the mate, " to give Sam
an education not as much altogether as he
spends for a horse. tell you il gals me,
South. to see boy like that left beggar
for life, for the want OF a chance.
Judge Brooks, meantime looked curious.
ly in the little closet where Sam slept and
worked. There was a small turning lathe,
aud several knives and files. % the table
were Que or two trays filled with rings made
Of camel coal curiously carved, Of purple
and white muscle shells, crosses, anchors
aud hearts Of gum copal, aud long strings
Of miniature keys, brooks, etc, turned out
Of mother-oi-pearl
"Um! ha Well, Ill buy few of these
Gimcracks for my wife and daughter.
These charms, now; what did you say they
cost 2"
The Judge found Capt Scott with his wife
and danghto. rtcu nc entered tho cab;-,
one hand full Of part-colored toys The
ladies were delighted with them, and pro.
fuse in exclamalions. Such ingenuity !
Such exquisite taste -
Yes" said the captain. The boy has
great ability, il it were cultivated. If |
we're a rich man, know no better use
could make Of my money than to give such
helpless cripple chance"
Mrs. Brooks dropped the charms as
though they burned her.
4" Now Capt. Scott she said sharply,
II will have no such idea put into my hus-
bands head. lie is only too ready to fling
away his money on every beggar. What
good can this boy be to Us, or to anybody,
Tor that matter?'
She stopped, turning red, for there in
front Of her stood Sam.
The boys lip trembed little, hut he
said, quietly, " You dropped some Of the
things you bought, Judge Brooks" aud
handing them to him turned and went out
" I'm very sorry" began the Judge
Your wife should be, ID the captain
roughly. Tne boy is no beggar. l
wouldn't tramp ou worm in that fashion, +"
and he followed Sam.
Somehow, the story went about among
the crew that evening, C,he captain told
it) and every body had joke or kind word
for Sam. II he had been gloomy, mel
ancholy lad, it is very likely bis lameness
would not have made him the favorite he
was. Bat he was a merry little fellow,
ready with his laugh at everybody's jokes,
no matter how poor. lie had good voice,
too, they thought, and every evening his
shrill pipes could be heard above the chorus
Of the men singing, The songs be knew
were not to be counted.
Tonight he did not care to sing, but
stole away to his den and went to work at
his lathe.
What ails you2" said South, the
mate, rapping him on the back. You're
bothered about something, Sam. Out with
it,"
Sam got up, standing on his sound leg
so as to hold himself at his full height
" It's only-if | could do something like
other boys or men. These things are of
no use. IL am a beggar, as she called
me, Mr., South, aud I'll never be of any
account to any living being"
Sam worked steadily all the evening. At
night he crept into his bunk, but he could
not sleep. The boy was hurt deeper than
anybody could know. lle knew how weak
in body be was, and without any education
his life would be useless. Aud he would
become so helpful and good man, if he
had but the chance which other boys did
not care for.
But where was the chance? He turned
restessl y on his barrow bed until midnight
and then he got up and dressed himself
He would go out on deck in the fresh air
As he went out under the clear moonlight,
the solemn shadows of the bills on either
side, the poor boy prayed to God to give
him his chance.
AS he turned into the lower deck, a
curious smell came with a sudden whiif to-
ward him. Sam stopped moment, then
bobbled quickly toward the hold. A dense
curl of black smoke crept out Of the door
He flung it open. Ga the lower step lay
an overturned lamp.
" That drunken Stile!" muttered Sam
From the lamp a tongue Of fame crept
along the floor, mere thread, which a
pail of water would extinguish. But at
the further end of this tongue it licked and
twirled about keg, had already charred
the hoops, and was thrusting itself up to
the head.
The blood seemed to stand still in Sans
veins. He knew the keg was full of gun
powder, enough to blow the boat into atoms.
Could he give the alarm
The watchmen were at the other end Of
the boat Long before he could reach them,
that glittering, writing point would have
do'e its work.
For himself there was a chance of es.