The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-02
The Worst Deformity.

The Worst Deformity.
Hal ha ha o ain t it fun !" shouted
lot of bright young school boys, as they
crowded round one of their own number,
whose pale face and wild eyes clearly
proved that he did not see any thing
laughable in his position. He was a
short, thick-set lad of twelve years, and
upon his back rose large hump, that
made his head seem set between his
shoulders. The boys who surrounded
him had fastened 10 this comical face
and cap, so that the deformed boy APP
peared to be carrying an old woman on
his poor, misshapen shoulders. 1t was
his effort to get rid of his burden that
called forth the shouts and laughter of
his school
Suddenly hush fell upon the noisy
crowd as their teacher, Mr.. Markham,
came up, and asked in severe tone:
What coward has done this2"
The face of Tom Stiles flushed deeply,
for the words stung him.
Il did it, he said it was only in
fun -
Fun !" said Mr.. Markham. "Listen
to me-" he said, and put his hand affec-
tionately on the shoulders of the de-
formed boy. You call James Pratt
deformed-a hunchback. l will tell you
of worse deformity it is cruel heart
"a wicked desire to pain one whose per-
sonal defect is his proudest mark of
honor. Four years ago, when James
Pratt was but child of eight years, he
was as straight as any of you He lived
urith hic IL h. ,;o+ox
opposite to my own house; and hon
ored the little boy even then for his de-
votion to his mother, his industry, and
his gentle, good habits His mother
was very poor, and went out dressmak-
ing; so the boy was often left, whole
days together, to care for his baby sister,
toddling child of two years, and to
keep the house in order for his mother.
Il had then a leisure hour every
morning, and l took James into my
study to teach him such studies as were
suited to him. 1t was his habit to put
the baby to sleep for that hour, leaving
her fastened in her little crib, so that if
she awoke she was safe until he returned.
We had been for several months teacher
and pupil, when one morning, while we
were busy over sum, we heard noise
in the street. The study was in back
room, but we ran to the front OF the
house to see an awful sight. The two
little buildings occupied by Mrs. Pratt
and another widow woman were a sheet
of flame, which had broken out in the
kitchen, and was spreading rapidly.
James gave one cry of horror then
shouting %, the baby l must save
the baby, sprang away from my side.
II followed him quickly. Through
the flames the boy rushed bravely,
mounting the staircase in the binding
heat and choking smoke, till he reached
the room where the baby lay AS he
appeared at the upper window with the
little one In his arms the fire engines
came rafting up the street, and strong,
brave men gave a shout Of admiration at
the little hero.
A ladder was fixed, for the staircase
was no longer passable, and one of the fire.
men, under stream of water, assembled
in the window. James put the baby in
his extended arms, and then raised him
self to the window-sill; but the tension
upon his courage and his strength had
been too great and as he tried to place
his feet upon the ladder he missed his
hold of the sill, and fell down to the
pavement below.
Many hands were stretched out to
save him, and cry Of horror burst from
all lips; but the fall was too sudden to
be arrested. He was carried again to
my study and for long hour we
thought the brave boy had given his
own life to save his sister, but he open
ed his eyes at last, to ask, Is baby
hurt2'
I" No, no baby is safe and sound
&c thought she was burned up he
whispered, and tainted again.
For many long days and nights the
boy lay between life and death We
knew, after the examination by the sur
geons, that the fall had resulted in an
injury to the spine, that would leave a
lifelong deformity, if it did not kill
him; but we prayed that he might be
spared-the noble brother--to his mother
and sister.
'" Slowly he recovered but he bore
1he mark Of the fall in the deformity you
dare to ridicule. Which Of you can