The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-03-01
A Lesson for Hard Times.

II one of the characters out of Dickens
novels had walked into the room could
not have been more surprised. 1t was
press day; was very busy in my sanctum
when heard the door open and curious
shutting noise followed, which made me
look up for moment from my paper. 1t
was but for moment; I saw, as l sup
posed, crippled beggar, shutting his
way on his knees toward my chair. l
waved him away with my hand" Moth
ing for you," said resolutely, little
impatiently possibly, and turned back to
my desk, caught up the broken thread,
and wound off the completed sentence
from the editorial distaff. But the begpar
was not repealed. He answered some
thing; with divided attention / could
not well make out what I" Nothing for
you," repeated, somewhat more vigor-
ously than before. The answer was plain
enough this time; and in a tone that COM
manded attention-"I am no beggar,
SIR"
l had gotten to the end of my sentence
now. Two or three weeks ago had been
studying the parable of the Good Samari-
tan. Perhaps the recollection of two very
pious men who were in so great hurry
to get to the temple that they could not at
tend to the unfortunate may have had
some influence on me. i laid down my
pen and went to the unknown.
He was on his knees; his legs from his
knees to his feet were useless appendages,
which dragged after him and produced
the shutting sound which first attracted
my attention. His whole body was dis
jointed; his arms alternately hung down
like the wooden arms of great toy, and
moved about in gro.esque attempt at
gesture-like the toy arms when the
image is pulled by the string from below.
When he spoke he wormed and twisted
his head from side to side, and contorted
his face with the vigor of his endeavor,
as though the words were stored below
and could be brought up out of a reluc-
tant throat only by awrestling and irwin
chile will. But his eye was clear, his
brow high, and his whole face, when in
repose, not unhandsome.
Il have got something to sell, sir, and
it Is no humbug, either"
Then l noticed for the first time a
leathern bag slung over his shoulder.
" it'll q curious spasmodic twist he dove
into it and brought out tin box labeled
Prof. - soap; warranted to take out
grease spots, etc., etc. In this, as in every
motion, his arms and hands and fingers
made wild attempts before they succeed
ed in their purpose, like those of Q twoOr
three months old babe that has not yet
come into possession of itself.
What brought you into this cOndi-
ton, my friend % said l. looking down
upon him.
II was born cripple. sir" he an
swered But, he added, quickly, as
though he saw some sympathy in my face
and would refuse it, "you must not think
that suffer, for don't have no pain;
it is only weakness; weakness of the
spine, the doctors tell me, SO that /
don't have good use Of my arms, or legs,
or face. But don't suffer. And am
not unhappy" -
could hardly look in his face when he
was speaking, his endeavors were 80 dis
tressingly labored rarely give to beg
gars for that very reason I am always re.
luctant to turn away anyone-from the
gamin who is sweeping the streetcross-
ings up-who is endeavoring to earn an
honest living. bought his patent soap
and gave him the price-a quarter. He
turned to 20 away i should have as soon
thought of offering charity to any other
Independents merchant e to him, but /
stopped him with question. 1t needed
but very little touch of sympathy to
open his heart. He told me his story.
transcribe Il here as well as can, but am
painfully aware that It loses character in
the transcribing:
my father va mechanic. / was
always, from my birth, q you see me
now. He supported me til was twe1ty-
osevl,f Rs,s didnyf 1iko II Tuenfnd tn