The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-05-23
GheQntelliqetrtee:
ALesson Tor Hard Times.

AulAVuu oNhhAhB hbAoN NlAu"N"1 VhhNh
made me look up for a moment from my
paper. II was but for moment; saw,
u, / supposed, a crippled beggar, shuiIling
his way on his knees toward my chair. /
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,
aud wound oil the completed sentence
from the editorial distafE, But the beg
gar was not repealed. lie answered
something; with a divided attention
could not we'll make out what. "Nothing
for you,' repeated, somewhat more Wig.
orously than before. The answer was
plain enough this time; and in tone that
commanded attention: u am no beggar,
sir"
He was on his knee; his legs IRON his
knees to his feet were useless appendices,
which dragged after him and produced
the shuflling sound which first attracted
my attention. His whole body was dis.
iOinted; his arms alternately hung down
like the wooden arms Of great toy, and
moved about in grotesque attempt nj
gesture-like the toy arm when the im.
age is pulled by the spring from below.
When he spoke he wOrmed and twisted
his head from side to side, and Contorted
Ills face with the vigOr Of his endeavor,
NJ though the words were stored below
and could be brought up out Of reluct.
ant throat only by wrestling and irwin.
chile will. But his eye was clear, his
brow high, and his whole face, when in
rcpOse, not unhanlsome.
II have got something 10 sell, sir, and
is no humbug, either"
Then | noticed for the frat time
leathern bag sluns over his shoulder.
With curious spasmOdic twist he dove
into it and brought out u tin box labeled
prof--'s 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 two
or three months old babe that has not yet
come into possession Of itself.
"What brought you into this condi.
lion, may friendy' said | looking down
upon him.
~ was born a cripple sir" lie answer.
cd. "But," he added, quickly, as though
he saw some sympathy in my face and
would refuse it, "you not mus! think that
suffer, for don't. have no pain; il 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 un.
happy"
! could hardly look in his face when he
was speaking, his endeavors were so dis.
lressingly labored. l rarely give to beg.
gars; Tor that very reason am always
reluctant TO turn away any one, from the
gamin who is sweeping thestreet crossings
up, who is endeavoring to earn an honest
living. bought his patent soap and
gave him the price-a quarter. He
turned 10 go away; l should rs soon
thought OF Offering charity to any other
independent merchant as to him, and !
stopped him with n question. 1t needed
but very little touch OF sympathy to
open his heart. He told me his Story:
"My father was mechanic. was al.
ways, from my birth, az you see me now
He supported me till was %. But !
didn't like il. wanted 10 be selfsup'
porting"
noted u curious feature Of his Ian
guage. 1t was that oil one born in The
lower ranks, but selieducated by courses
Of reading outside the literature Of his
companions. thought this at the time
II was contirmed'by suggestive hint
aiterward.
IL told my father. lie laughed at me,
"What can you do ? said he. | told him
that he could not always support me; he
must die some day, and he had no money,
The Lord will provide, said he. But
that did not Bujl ne. resolved that il
could not have my own way wonld
run away"
There was something paIhNlically hu.
morous in this picture OF man.boy Of
9S running awav on his knees from q
tyrannical father who dcspo,ically IN,
sisted on providing for him. Whether
he actually did run away or not he did
not tell me, and | did not ask him.
81 bought thia recipe for soap. At
first hired man to 90 round with me
and take care Of me, but that did not pay,
Then went to hotel and hired p1r.
ter to drcss and undress me. In the day
time | took care Of myself"
All this and much more-for am
comprising a long story into shor,
onO-with Iabored speaking, and labored
listening, too, for it was not always quite
easy to tell what was the word which the
corkscrey b.ouVht mn. Like nm oId cork
twas broken; and often came up in frnS
ments..
81 never expected to get married, for
would have wonId have mo PnI Son
SNOW, sir, the old provcrb. Every Jack
don't beliOSs ,bo 'v"i J.. ~! "'';, A Amu
h York that a., hps got better wife than AMI
miserable, sir. seem so to YOU because
you judge me from your point Of view
man, 'anl would not Cxchongc viii