The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-06-18
Indivisible.

come when he came into this world, for
he had created expectations which his
presence at once dissipated. To be sure
he had winsome little face, which the
days rounded and made fair; pretty
faced, pretty eyed boy; but Lauchie
came into the world a cripple, and when
the mother and the father found the
kind of legs Lauchie had brought with
him, they looked al him reproachfully,
and were indignant, that with all their
wealth Lauchie should be inferior to the
little, toddling rosy checked child of
Bridgets and Mikes that every day
passed their house Their hearts re-
belled against the little cripple, and he
brought them burden so heavy that
they were obliged to unite all their love,
and strength, and prayers to endure it
thus they comforted- one another.
Lauchie grew-he had plenty of care
nurse was very kind to the unfortu-
nate, she was nurse, mother, father, and
playmate to him, and teacher, too, when
he grew to ask questions. Lauchie was
not forgotten by his father and mother,
but they took no pride in him, as most
parents do in their offspring. They
were often in the nursery to inquire for
him, to sit with him at times by the
upholstered window-seat where he used
to delight to rest with the street and its
pictures ever before him, but their eyes
didn't light up with gladness when they
rested upon him; they always had an
expression of disappointment in them
an expression which was invariably ac-
companied with sigh of discomfort
The neighbors pitied these parents, these
people of wealth, that they should have
had this trial thrust upon them, and ven
tured to each other such remarks as mo
doubt it would be a great relief to Mr..
and Mrs -, if the child were remov-
ed; m sure should not want him to
grow up if he were mineIn But Lau-
chies mind was bright, even though his
body were dwarfed, and by degrees his
blue eyes opened to the fact that there
existed for him no fathers, no mothers
love; that he was a grief instead of
ioy-a burden rather than blessing.
''Nursie," said he, one day, chow much
longer is life2'
Years and years. hope, said Nursie,
'God only knows
Years and years for those that are
good for something" said Lauchie,
dreamily, "but days and days only, 1
hope, for little boys that can only sit
still and think. I might better be an
angel, for then could sit and look at
God"
N urSlSi. SdlQ -LduCule, dnOGler Qay, |
"theres no one but you to love me here,
you carried me into your heart, didn't
your l couldn't get into theirs was
lame, you know, and they forgot to lift
me in; when l get to be an angel, Nur-
sic, can fly there myself, God will let
me. think.
Years and years for some people, but
only days and days for or pple, proved !
true in Lauohie's case, and so one day |
he was put into a dainty casket and !
brought into the parlor, where they |
streWed the white roses around the fair |
est flower of them all. Lauchie's first |
visit to the parlor, and he came in state, |
too; pride had kept him out before, but |
no little dead boys can walk, and Lau7
chic, with twisted feet under buds and |
blossoms, was no longer singular in his
deformity he was as any other dead boy to
outsiders still, as the father and mother
bent over him alone, he was Lauchie still |
to them-only-they loved him now
dear Lauchie."
Lauchie with his wings had at last |
found their hearts as he while in the flesh |
had hoped he might
The little flowers Lauchie's hands
clasped so tightly were all showered over
with tears, real sorrow-tears, and all
the lovely golden curls the
shining drops lay glistening. Yes, Lau-
chic was loved at last but to what pur-
pose had ne spent even days and days in
the world-of what earthly use had
Lauchie, the cripple, been to the father
and mother who mourned him now
Lauchie had breathed the question to
himself many times, and had mournful-
ly answered it as many by shaking his
gold-crowned head and murmuring-
No use at all-my life is all in vain"
Days passed How lonely the house
was; no nursery now, Lauchie and Nur-
sic both gone; no little voice rang down
the stairs or went upward in childish
all was hushed and still in that
elegant mansion. But out where the
monuments grew over buried hopes, was
a little mound and shaft of white mar
ble--
"OUR LAUCHIE,
that was all it said But it meant very
much to two who came there-who came
and went so lonely,
Months passed. year--two years
went by. Lauchie's father and mother
had become estranged; had broken the
vow until death us do part" and with
out law remained no longer as man and
wife. Friends besought them, did their
best to re-unite them, tried and failed
the minister and his church ditto; it
availed nothing.
They loved, but they were proud, and
neither would make the advance towards
reconciliation. They were one no longer;