River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-01-10
THE CRIPPLE.

crossing waiting for an equipage to pass
drawn by d span of gfeys, who prshced
along as though proud of their mounted
harness and iveried coachinan.
Isn't it an elegant turnout? And
to think thai all that style is wasted on a
ffe Speaker was bFight-Iooking bit
evideEtIy thoughtless girl, whose fancy
was taken BY show and glitter more than
by more solid qualities.
Lucretia Armstrong; eyes had been
fixed dreamily on poor child who had
been sweeping the pavement, and whose
thin hand was reaching out for a pit
lance. She put a coin into it, as she
ah3#eraa
Il was not looking; but why do you
say wasted ON IA crippled Has he no
mind or faculties to appreciate his bless
ings!"
"What a girl you are to catch one up
So Of course he has as good an intel
iect as any one, and, by all accounts,
better than most; bat having everything
so elegant makes his infirmity the more
conspicuous"
"I don't see Why
The speaker paused abruptly, for here,
Mt the very booksellers where she was
nbrut II enter, carriage Nas drawn up,
and a gentleman was alighting FROM it,
helped by a footman, who gave him his
clutches, 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 his
ntirmities, and she selected her paper in
silence ana FASTENED away. As soon as
she was we'll out of the place she said
earnestly:
II think that gentleman has the most
interesting face 1 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 peculiarities. Have you still
your collection of manned and exacting
pets! | declare, if it had been anybody
but dear. lovable Cree Armstrong who
had turned herself into a nurse FOL ami
mails, we school girls would have cut you
in the old days. l suppose however,
the child is father of the man., or rather
you've kept up your patches since l left
GortOn.'
Lucretia smiled a. her friend ratified
on. but merely said:
u see you are the same Kitty--as much
given 10 eXaggeration as ever. But
who is the gentleman? | see you know
him."
His name is Gale Bertram. Brother
L., al a.
mere boy compared to him. Charlie has
hobbies you know, and Mr.. Bertram Is
so learned on almost everything under the
sun, that if Charlie gets puzzled, all he
has to do is to go to his old gentleman
friend, and he's put straight in no time. >
''Kitty, how you run on. II every one
were like you poor Mr.. Bertram would
be laid upon the shelf for society, |
fear
Gle doesn't care for society, so he'd be
no loser"
He's to be envied for his Indifference,
then, as ne values it in its true light.
Kitty turned and looked at Lucretia in
a quizzical way from head to feet.
Well, my dear, if l did not see a
pretty, stylish young girl with my very
own ewes, l should rather say l was talk
ing with an aged philosopher, who had
outlived his youth. Lucretia this
was said with great mpressiveness-"yo
shall have an introduction. l foresee
that Mr.. BeItram will be drawn out of his
she'll"
For shame. Kitty" said Cree, indig-
nautly; - will not be introduced after
such a speech. l should feel conscious
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 natural tease. but did not like
to see any one in bad hyunor, and in
that way was restrained oftentimes from
wounding by her mischievous prOpen-
sity.
Several DAYS had passed since the girls
conversation, when the object of it called
10 see Charlie about the result OF some
experiment he had BEEN making.
\ newly engaged servant answered his
riRg.
instead of conducting the visitor to Char
lies den" as he called 1t, he was taken
directly to the music room, 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 8
moment an unobserved listener, she was
throwing her whole sou. into the render
ing of oh, vert thou in the cauld
blastln
Tears were near his eyeliGs rs she con
cluded the plaintive little song.
Thoughts long before banished from {
mind that could not be notwithstanding
reso!utely at the blessings vouchsafed in
stead of brooding over those denied-now
came thronging into his mind with resist
less force.
"Why, OH why could not the Great all
Father have taken my wealth, and lef
me an unblemished bodyl Then !, too
could have looked forward 10 "A happy
home, shared by loving heart Now II
is denied me- Lonely, and uncared for,
must go through life"
Thus for q few moments regrettul ideas
came thick and fast.
But the song was eaded. ard. With an
effort he became again lis cheerful
self. as balancing his broad shoulders