West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-04-19
Uncle Maurice.

IL is with mems lives as with days-some
dawn radiant with thousand colors, others
dark with gloomy clouds That of my
Uncle Maurice was one of the latter. He
was so sickly when he came into the world
that Notwithstanding these anticipatons,
which might be called hopes, he continued
TO live, suffering and deformed.
He was deprived of all the joys as well as
all the attractions Of childhood lie was
oppressed because be was weak, and laugh
ed at for his deformity In vain this little
hunchback opened his arms 10 the world
the world scoffed at him and went its way.
However, he still had his mother, and it
was 10 her that the child directed all the
feelings of heart repulsed by others. With
her he found shelter, and was happy, tillh
reached the age when man must take his
place i'm life; and Maurice had to content
himself with that which others had refused
with contempt His education would have
qualified him for any course of life; and he
became "A clerk in one of the little toll houses
at the entrance of his native town. He was
always shut up in this dwelling of few
feet square, with no relaxation from the Of
flee accounts but reading and his mothers
visits. On fine summer days she came to
work at the door of his hut, under the shade
Of an elematis planted by Maurice. And
even then, when she was silent, her pres
ence was pleasant change to the hunCh-
back he heard the clnBing of her long
knitting needles, he saw her mild and mourn
iul profile, which reminded him of SO many
Couragcousy borne trials he conld every
now and then rest his hand atTcctionately
ON that touchdown neck, and exchange a
smile with her But this comfort was soon
10 be taken from him.
His poor mother fell sick, and at the end
Of few days he had to give up all hope.
Maurice was overcome at the idea of IA sepa-
ration which would hcnceforth leave him
alone on earth, and abandoned himself to
boundless grief He knelt by the bedside
of the dying woman; he called her by the
fondest names he pressed her in his arms,
us if he could so keep her alive. His mother
tried TO return the caresses and to answer
him; but her hands were cold, her voice
already gone She could only press her lips
against the forehead of her son, heave a sigh
and close her eyes forever Those who
were present tried to take Maurice away,
but he resisted them and threw himself on
that now motionless form.
Dead !" cried he; ''dead She who
had never left me; she who was the
only one in the world who loved me You,
my mother, dead What, then, remains
for me here belowl"
A stifed voice replied
''God I"
Maurice started, raised himself up Was
it a last sigh from the dead, or his own con
science that had answered himl He did
not seek TO know, he understood the an
swer and accepted IL.
IL was then that | FIRST knew him / Of
ten went to see him in his little dollhouse
he mixed in my childish games, told me his
best stories, and let me gather his flowers
Deprived as he was of all external attrac-
tiveness, he showed himself full Of kindness
to all who came TO him, and, though he
never would put himself forward, he had a
welcome for every one. Deserted and de
spised, he submitted 90 everything with a
gentle patience; but those who might
otherwise have promoted him as his services
deserved were repulsed by his deformity.
As he had no patrons, nc found his claims
were always disregarded They preferred
before him those who were better able to
make themselves agreeable, and seemed 20
be granting him favor when letting him
keep the humble Office whclh enabled him
10 live Uncle Maurice bore injustice as he
had borne contempt; unfairly treated by
men, he raised his eyes higher, and trusted
in the Justice OF Him who can not be dc
ceiYed.
He lived in an old house in the suburb,
where many work people as poor but not
as fOrlOrn as he, also lodged Among these
neighbOrs there was a single woman, who
lived by herself in little gaTct, into which
came both Wind and rain She was young
girl, pale and silent, and with nothing 90
recommend her but her wretchedness, and
'her resignation 20 il. She was never seen
speaking to any other woman, and no song
Cheercd her garet She worked without
interest md without relaxation; a deprcss-
ing gloom seemed 10 envclop her like a
shrOud. Her detection affected Maurice
he.attempt0d 90 speak to her she replied
niidly, but i'm few words II was easy 10
see that she preferred her silence and her
solitude to the little hunchback's good will,
he perceived II, and said no more.
But T0inette' needle was hardly sufficient
for her support, and presently work failed
her Maurice learned that the poor girl was
la want Of everything and that the trades
men refused 10 give her credit lie immc-
diately went to them and privately engaged
topay them for what they supplied Toincttc
with.
Things went on i'm This way for several
months The young maker continued
out of work, until she was at last frightened
at the bills she had contracted with the
shopkcepers When she came 10 an OK
pIanation with them everything was discov-
cred Her first impulse was To- rum To- Uncle
Maurice and thank him on.bcr knees. Her
habitual reserve had given way TO burst
o. deepest feeling. Il seemed - II gratitude