The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-03
Breaking the Left Arm.

III my courteous reader never, IN the full
tide of labors and responsibility, CHANGED
to break his left arm, / feel sure he has
some things to learn. don't refer to the
sudden. stunning fall on the ice, when your
first consciousness is that you need help,
and are faint, and have one limb shattered
and helpless nor to the swellings, and
splin,s, and bandages, and pains, and ar
MICA congresses, and long weary nights,
and the useless thing hung in sling, to be
carefully carried about nor do | refer 10
the many condolences and congratulations
you have "that it was not your right arm, u
and "how thankful you ought to be that
you escaped With the right arm uninjured, u
etc. You are truly tempted to say, "My
good friend, how much more thankful
ought you to be that neither of your arms
has been broken" How many daily for
get this great mercy! But l took up my
pen to speak of the broken left arm.
One night, between sleeping and waking.
between opium and pain. overheard di.
alogue between the right and the left hand
by which | was not little amused, but
still more instructed.
snow, my good fellow said Right
Hand to Left, "you see just how it is. You
may as well be quiet and get well. You
are not much missed, as you hear every
body rejoicing and congraiulating the own
er that IT was you rather than me who is
laid aside. We shall get along admirably
without you; and indeed you are not of
much consequence.
at may seem So" meekly replied Left
Hand, "but am hardly satisfied with the
place you give me. viii you please tell
me wherein your great superiority con-
sistsr"
Up started Right Hand, as fierce as a
challenging bully, and answered thus -
"My superiority! why, in everything.
My owner can't hold his quill and write
most wonderful piece unless l hold that
pen"
"True, but who holds the paper on which
he wites?"
"Who holds the hammer while the black
emnh FORCES and shapes his rom"
Sand who holds the tu Is that grasp that
iron and turn it over On the anvilY"
who holds the plane while the carpen-
ter smooths the soard?'
''And who steadies the board while he
joints and smooths it p
"When my owner walks the streets, who
has the honor to salute, lift the hat, and
shake the band?"
"And who holds the trayelling-coat and
carpet-bag while he does itf'
''In war, who Yields the sword and draws
the trigger at the right moment?'
"And who holds the scabbard while the
sword 10 drawn; and who holds up the gun
while it is firedp"
"Wbo gallantly helps the lady into the
carriagei"
"And who holds the carriage-door open
while she enters the carriagef"
"You interrupt me and trouble me, and
/ won't talk ii you do go"
~ don't want to do that" said Left
Hand "but suppose ask you few ques-
tons now you certainly are very sklllful
in this matter. Who shaved our owner
yesterday
"Why, ! did, and wanted you 10 held his
face; and because you were gone cut him
eight times badly"
Couldn't you help III"
"No indeed; tina beat barber in town
cant shave man unless the left hand holds
the nose and other parts OF the face"
"Wll you please, Mr.. Right Hand, but
ton that wlistband of yours, which is
openf'
"Why, you know l can't do that.
never did tina. in my life. You have always
done that
"Won't you please wind up masters
watch? we shall want to know when 10 ex-
pect morning"
"Pshaw you know l can't wind up the
watch unless you are there TO hold it.
"You surely can wash tumbler ?"
''Not unless you hold 1t for me-"
"You can take the money out of the
purse, and pay for what our master wants. +"
MOT unless you hold the purse. But
can hold the whip, and make cid Dobbin
60 fast"
Eyes, II hold the reins, and guide him
while he goes. The real fact is, that with
your help alone the master can't cut the
leaves of his new book, or read it when
cut. The mistress can't darn stocking or
make pudding"
swell, we'll, Mr.. Left Hand, you make
out that yon are of great consequence and
don't deny it, appreciate you; and have
not held you carefully every night since
you have been sick during sleep Z"
Eyes. and have been grateful for It,
1t was just ls should have done for you"
1T ia possible, dear old helper, ! have
not realized how much real service you