Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-12-27
LUCRETIA.


their mounted harness and liveried
coachman.
Isn't it an elegant turnout? And to
think that all that style IS wasted on a
cripple"
The speaker was bright-looking, but
evidently thOughtless girl, whose fancy
was taken by show and glitter more
than by solid qualities,
Lucretia Armstrong; eyes had been
fixed dreamily on poor little child who
had been sweeping the pavement, and
whose thin hand was reaching out for a
pittance. She put the coin into it as
she answered.
q was not looking; but, why do
you say wasted on a cripple? Has he
no mind or faculties to appreciate his
bIessing?"
What girl you are to catch one up
so! OF course he has as good an intel
lect as any one, and, by all accounts,
better than most ; but, having every
thing SO elegant makes his infrmity the
more conspicuous"
don't see why"
The speaker paused abruptly, for here,
at the very booksellers where she was
about to enter, carriage was drawn up,
and a gentleman was alighting from it,
helped by the footman, who gave him
his crutches, upon which he made his
way into the shop.
As he passed the friends he raised his
hat to Kitty, and smiled pleasantly.
Lucretia's cheeks We're burning at the
thought that they had been discussing
hic firm itiac oTJ che CaIooto1 bo,, 80
per in silence and FASTENED away. As
soon rs she was well out of the place she
said, earnestly
II think that gentleman has the most
interesting face [ have ever seen. His
eyes are superb-great luminous wells
of thought. | wouldn't mind going on
crutches to own such face as that"
Kitty laughed.
Well, Cree, you always were an odd
little thing. | see you haven't outlived
your little peculialities. Have you still
your collection of manned and exacting
pets | declare, if it had been any
body but dear, lovable Cree Armstrong
who had turned herself into a nurse for
animals, we school girls would have cut
you IN the old days. | suppose, how
ever, the child is father of the man. or
rather Tin this case) woman, and no
doubt you've kept up your practices
since | left Gorton."
Lucretia smiled as her friend ratified
on, but merely said
| see you are the same Kitty-as
much given to exaggeration as ever.
But who is the gentleman? [ see you
know him"
His name is Gale Bertram. Brother
Charley is very fond of him, although
Il mere boy compared to him. Charlie
has hobbies, you know, and Mr.. Bertram
Is SO learned on nearly everything under
the sun, that, if Charlie gets puzzled,
all he has to do is to go to his old gen
tleman friend, and he's put straight in
no time"
Kitty, how you run onl If every
one were like you, poor Mr.. Bertram
would be laid upon the shelf for society,
| fear"
He doesn't care for society, so he'd
be no loser"
He's to be envied for his indiffer-
cnce, then, us he values it in its true
light"
Kitty turned and looked at Lucretia,
IN n quizzical way, from head to foot.
Well, my dear, if [ did not see a
pretty, stylish young girl with my very
own eyes, | should rather say was
talking with IN aged philosopher, who
had outliyed his youth. Lucretia .
this was said with great impressive
ness you shall have an introduction
foresee that Mr.. Bertram will be drawn
out of his she'll"
For shame, Kitty" said Cree, in
dignantly " | will not be introduced
after such n speech. | should feel con-
scious and uncomfortable after hearing
him made fun OF"
Kitty saw that she had gone too far,
and turned the subject with ready tact :;
she was Il natural tease, but did not like
to see any one in bad humOr, and in
that way was restrained oftentimes
from wounding by her mischievous
propensity.
Several days had passed since the
girls conversation, when the object of
it called to see Charlie about the ne
suit of some experiment he had been
making.
A newly-engaged servant answered
his ring.
All unused to the ways of the family.
'ustead of conducting the visitor to
Charles den," as he called it, he was
taken directly to the mushroom, where
his young friend was listening to some
Scotch airs which Lucretia was singing
IN her rich contralto voice.
As he paused on the threshold for a
moment, an unobserved listener, she
was throwing her whole soul into the
rendering of "On, vert thou in the
cauld blast y
Tears were near his eyelids as she
concluded the plaintive little song.
Thoughts long before banished from
a mind which would not be morbid
looking resolutely at the blessings vouch-
safed, instead of brooding over those de-
niea-now came thronging into his mind
with resistless force.
"Why, oh why could not the Great
All-Father have taken my wealth, and
left me an unblemished body? Then /,
too, could have looked forward to a
happy home shared by a loving heart.
Now it is denied me- Lonely and I'M
cared for must [ go through life"
Thus for few moments regretful ideas
came thick and fast.
But the song was ended, and, With an
effort, he became again his cheerful
self, as, balancing his broad shout