Morris tribune., 1880-10-21
BOB'S TALKING LEG.


"May be, sir; but walk better with it
than when I had the nat'ral pair COM
plete."
Bob was our croSsing-sweeper, and a
sort of public messenger-self-es establish
ed, but recognized in time as one of the
institutions of the bank. The road just
opposite our main entrance was rather
wide for a country town, and it was here
Bob kept path carefully swept IN all
weathers.
When employed by the bank or one of
the tradesmen with message, Bob would
leave his broom leaning against the letter
box and go on his way, quite certain that
the most mischievous boy in the place
would not interfere with it. Bob was so
good.natured and kind to all that even
his broom was respected.
He was a bit Of character, and gen.
orally wore post boys cap and an old
red hunting coat when on duty. But
these were only sort of trade signs, and,
work done, Bob put aside his "unitorm,'
and assumed the garb of respectable
laborer.
And laborer he had been once upon
time-a man we'll known in the town,
and not little notorious for his drink
ing; but he shall tell his own story.
Listen to him as he relates it to me.
"Walk better with a wooden leg than
with two sound onesr' said; show can
that be9 / cannot fancy that q wooden
leg would be better than either of NINE"
81 was not speaking of your legs, sir, !"
replied Bob, dryly, "but of the pair
had. They were not given to walking
voru cfraiUhf -
"That must have been your fault,
Bob," said.
"Well, yes, sir" he said, "of course it
was; butt II was speaking in sort of
meddlefor, you see."
81 hear you are fond of metaphor" l
returned; "but tell me about this leg of
yours. How did you get it9'' :
Drink gave it to me-" replied Bob,
"and must say that it amt very CRATE
full to drink in return; for although it
makes noise enough in ordinary, 1t
knocks double as loud whenever I'm
nigh public house. It says don't as
plainly as you can, sir-meaning, don't
ge in. l was once nearly led back into
the cid ways, and was going into The
Kings Head, with friend as hadn't
seen for years, but this leg wouldn't GO
in; t'other went over the steps right
enough, but the wooden one tripped up,
and down I went. AL right says,
you knows how got you, and I'll GO
back again. and out I went, dragging
my friend with me.
''Of course he added, 81 don't mean
to say as the leg knows its own doings,
that's my meddlefor way of speaking
but its there, and it is always stumping
out the same story: Don't drink, den't
drink Just you listen to il"
He stumped rapidly up and down in
front Of me, and really the leg and his
sound foot gave out sounds not unlike
the words he had spoken.
"You hear, sir" he said, "the wooder
leg says don't and t'other says drink i.
Put 'em together and you've got gooG
advice-'Don't drink"
"Undoubtedly," replied, "but WI
you tG1 me how you came to lose you,
limbo 1t is quiet day and you are not
likely to be interrupted for few mo
ments."
"It's soon told" said Bob. "Eigh
years ago was brick-layer's laborer,
smart, active fellow when I hadn't
drinking fit on; but used to break GU
for the week and fortnight at time, ant
leave my work and starve them at hom
in the way of drunkards generally; whel
the drink is in, kindness and love ant
industry is out, which is meddle for
will thank you to make note Of
/ promised not to forget it, and will
his hands crossed on the top of his broom
he went on with his story.
"WheR sober, worked as a runner
headed gang of laborers, and time'
.em, as it were. If hhere isn't runner
they don't keep up the work, and get int
confusion. One day, when was lit
tie the worse for drink, went to tn
worka, and kept all right until 11oclocl
when a man from a public house clos
by came round. had two pints OF him
and that, with what I had taken, fiulshe,
me. The next time went up the ladde
lost my hold, and the sky seemed t
turn right over; then head a shout
and lost my senses.
When came to-" he SAID, 81 foun
myself In little bed at the hospita
with the senslat on of being as helples
as child. At first I didn't feel an
pain, but soon my leg began to throt
and was going to put my hand dow1
when the nurse, as was close by, STOP
me. Don't touch it. she said, syou'v
injured yourself They gave me som
medicine, and it soothed me, and weI
off to sleep. When I awoke again Sc,
eral grave looking gentlemen wei
standing about the bed talking, br
they stopped as soon as it was known
was awake. I asked for my wife, an
they said she would come soon to M
To cut long story short, slr, one of til
kindest told me that my leg must be Il
ken off, or I should lose my life.
"And what am to do in the worl
with one leg, sir9'' asked.
''He told me to leave all to the wisdol
Of God; but didn't know much religio
then, and found no comfort in 1t. TIL
night they gave me something, and
lost my senses. While I was in TIL
state my leg was taken of, and shan
forget the feeling when I came roun
and found 1t gone.
"And yet it wasn't exactly the feelir
in the leg that told me so, for at first
fancied It was there; and what is more,
feel it now, and a very curious thing
is. But I'll get back to the hospits
where, after my leg was taken off, n
poor wife used to come and cry over n
as If had been the best of husbands, i
stead of one of the worst; but wome
speaking in meddlefor, are angels {
earth, they are.
"With my wife, gentleman used
come. He was grave and quiet and goo
and | recognized him through having c
ten seen him down our streets visitiI
thes1ck and poor. wouldn't have not
ing to do with him in the old days; b
lying there MANNED and helpless, I W
glad enough to listen to HIM, and I a
thankful to this day thatI did SO for the
I first really understood what salvatit
through the Saviour meant for me al
other sinners, and learnt to see the blef
ings of sober life.
81 was long time getting well, f
my constitution was terrible cut, and
i a 49, n 4