Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-06-03
Che family Circle.
A Young Hero.

heads III winter, and the spring Verdure
clothe them with beauty.
A widowed mother layished her love
upon this one child. They loved each
other dearly-the more, think, that Paul
was lame.
A dreadful sore upon one limb, when he
was very little child, had shortened it,
so that he was forced to use one crutch.
This disability, which to a great extent
prevented his out-of-door exercise with the
other boys, had drawn him closely to his
mothers heart, so that the two were almost
inseparable.
Paul had developed great liking for
books. During the moderately warm
weather he used to attend school, and had
endeated himself very much to one of his
teachers, by his patient ways and studious
habits From this teacher Paul used to
borrow books, with which he would 90
home laden, and through the long winter
evenings, when the fire burned warm and
the storms sounded around the low house,
he would read aloud to his mother, as she
sewed OF knit.
1t happened, perhaps not unnaturally,
that the lame boy had great admiration
for :. heroes" so called. He could accom-
plish so little, poor child, with his feeble
arms, and was so etfectually shut off from
any brave feats of horsemanship or chiv-
alrous encounter, that he instinctively paid
his admirng der0irS to all vigorous and
manly feats.
He read and re-read the stories ofthe old
NEUROLOGICAL heroes, and of later warriors
down to modern times. Among all, there
was nobody who seemed qpite so admira-
bic to Paul as Hercules. He knew all
about the old wonder, and was quite ready
to credit the feats recorded of him. The
Labors of the giant were all at the end
of Paul's tongue.
"Oh, mother, he was awfully strong
he said one day" Il wish could do
something great and wonderful
A tear fell upon her work from his
mothers dropped eyes. How her heart
ached, that her one 'ewe lamb must 90
through life manned and smitten; but with
a true mothers valOr, she stood at the breach
bravelv, and told him how much better it
was to have a true, pure soul, and keen.
wise head, than burly, vigorous body, II
one couldn't have them all. After these
comforting words, and whenever she pour
ed like cheer into his ears, Paul agreed
with his mother, and felt comforted in his
! lot, until some other instance occurred
when his bodily infirmity was contrasted
with the strength and rollicking life OF
some healthy, happy lad.
Mrs. Gale possessed enough property tC
support herself and boy, by exercising the
most rigid economy. Among her prin
cipal possessions she numbered cow
In ordinary weather, Paul drove her tc
and from pasture, and the gentle creature
had learned to know him, and come ut his
call At the time of which | write, it wa:
June among the hills. The soft. dainty
fresh green was abroad in the valleys, anC
crept persuasively up the slopes, with it:
tender footprint of emerald
One evening Paul started as usual fOl
the pasture to drive home old Brindle
Just at the edge of the green meadow h,
found her, and started behind her on the
return home. Along one side of the pas
ture ran little brook, fringed with viii
lows, which grew so thick that they com
pletelv hid the field beyond. Paul hat
reached this cool shade, and stopped t
rest for Il moment, when voices caught hi
ear, which came from the other side of the
willows.
Il tell YOU, sam, cant we give the old
woman fits?n said voice, which Paul re
cognized as that of Tim Harris, one of the
very worst boys in the village.
- reckon she'll wonder where her fine
Bantams took Il journey tonight wa'
the response.
so much for grudginga fellow a couple
of greetings. She's rs grouty as her OWL
crab apples" said Tim; but Marn
Braggy will find chickens suit just as wei
as any thug else, if she's SO particular
Be ready, Sam, right under the big apple
tree, at half-past eight. 1t will be darl
enough by that time
Poor Paul. There was no helping the
hearing of this, though he made as long
steps as possible with the crutch. He haC
thought in minute that if these wicked
boys found him in the vicinity. he would
be made to suffer for the turn his ears haC
served him, in catching their talk.
Paul trembled to the end of his toes. lie
wasn't cowardly boy. but through all hi
life had been placed at a disadvantage by
his lameness, and although he had never
hitherto been treated, with positive cruelty
vet he had very often been reminded of hi
infirmity I'M way that ranked in his pool
little heart, and made him instinctively
shrink from anything larger, and roughel
and stronger than himself.
His first thought now was, to stand still
until Brindle was gone, but old Brindlt
put that out of the question by coming to 4;
standstill, and lowing persistently, when
she perceived that her young master die
not follow. 1t was of no use, he might a:
well 90 on, and perhaps the boys would
not catch sight of him. So with rapi(
strokes of his crutch, he pushed on after
Brindle. Alas! just as he cleared the
shadow of the willows, Tim and San
caught sight of him.
With a quick whistle, Tim shouted
"Oh, ah, Paul Pry. So you were play
ing bark, were you? Fine joke, that
But we've spotted you, you see. Say
lame Paul what did you hear?'
Paul stood silent. He knew perfect,
that he was in ~ for hard pull with
these two wicked boys.
You'd better own up" said Sam. g It'll
be easier for you. What did you hear? "
Il heard you say you'd take Widow
Bragden's pullets tonight" answered
Paul. stoutly.
''44int you bully fellow, listening
i. round?" said Tom.
The quick blood flashed into the lame
BOYS checks. q Uasnt listening" h
retorted. Il was driving the COW home
and 1 couldn't help hearing what yol
said,
We'll" said Sam, little soothed by
so plausible n statement, say you won
tell. and we'll let you off,"
Paul hesitated In second the whole
state of the case flashed through his mind
He certainly had determined that he would
go straight to Widow Bragden, and war;
her of the meditated theft. She was 5