The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-01-10
THE CRIPPLE.

THE CRIPPLE.
Two young girls were standing by the
crossing waiting for an equipage to pass
drawn by span of greys, who pranced
along as though proud Of their mounted
harness and iiveried coachman.
"Isn't it an elegant turnout And
to think that all that style is wasted on q
cripple"
The speaker was a bright-looking but
evidently thoughtless girl, whose fancy
was taken by show and glitter more than
by more solid qualities.
Iucretia Armstrong; eyes had been
fixed dreamily on poor child who had
been sweeping the pavement, and whose
thin hand was reaching out for pit
lance. She put q coin into it, as she
answered.:
~ was not looking; but why do you
say wasted on cripple? Has he no
mind or faculties to appreciate his bless
isgs?"
"What a girl you are to catch one up
50! Of course he has as good an intel
lect as any one, and, by all accounts,
better than most; but having everything
so elegant makes his infirmity the more
conspicuous"
II don't see why''-
The speaker paused abruptly, for here,
atthe very booksellers where she was
about to enter, a carriage was drawn up,
and gentleman was alighting from it,
helped, by a 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 were burning at the
thought that they had been discussing his
in6rmities, and she selected her paper in
silence and fastened away. AS soon as
she.was we'll out of the place she said,
earnestly:
u think that gentleman has the most
interesting face have ever seen. His
eyes are superb-great luminous wells of
thought. l wouldn't mind going on
clutches to own such a face as that
Kitty laughed.
i"Well, Cree, you always were an odd
little thing. I see you haven't outllved
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 FOR ami
mails, We schoolgirls wotfld have cut YOU
in the old days. suppose however,
the child is father of the man. or rather
(n this case) woman, and no doubt
4ouTo kept up your patches since I left
Gorton."
ff!Lucretia smiled as her friend ratified
on, but merely said:
Il see you are the same Kitty-as much
given, TO exaggeration as ever. But
who is the gentleman? I SEQ you know
him."' - -,
,,THis name is Gale Bertram. Brother
Charlie is very fond of him, although a
mere boy compared to him. Charlie has
kobbies, you know, and Mr.. Bertram is
50 learned on almost everything under the
SIP, that, if Charlie gets puzzled, all he
has to do is to 90 to his old gentleman
friend, aud he's put straight in no time. "
"Kitty, how you run on! If every one
were like you, poor Mr.. Bertram would
be laid upon the shelf for society
fSsr."'o
SHE doesn't care for society, so he d be
no loser"
He's to be envied for his indifference,
+ them, a. he values it in its true light"
kitty turned and looked at Lucretia in
a quizzical way from head to feet.
well, my dear, if I did not zee a
pretty, stylish young girl with my very
own eyes, should rather say was talk
ing with an aged philosopher, who had
outlived his youth. tucrctia this
was said with great impressiveness-
sheft have an introduction. foresee
thst Mr.. Be,tram will be drawn out of his
SRfor shame, Kitty" said Cree. indig-
nantly; II will not be introduced after
stch a speech. I should feel conscious
and uncomfortable after hearing him
made fun of r
Kitty saw that she had gone too far
and turned the subject with ready tact;
sly was natural tease, but did not: like
to see any one in bad humor, and in
tnet~way was restrained oftentimes from
wounding by her mischievous propen-
Several days had passed since the girls
conversation, when the object of it called
to see Charlie about the result of some
experiment he had BEEN making.
s''A newly engaged servant answered his
nDg. ,I12I-'j aJ& }IDo 49,. ..,:..t>s ~
edAll unused TO the ways of the family,
instead of conducting the visitor to Char.
hes "den, " - he called il, he was taken
directly to the music room, where his young
friend was Listening to some Scotch air.
which tucretia was singing in her rich
oontralto voice. ~. - - ~ tlE il. Il
odAs'he paused on the: threshold9 for 4
moment IN 4unobserved listener, she wa
throwing her whole sou. into tho render,
ing of "Oh, vert thou In the cauld