Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-02-24
WHAT A CRIPPLE DID.

member. He was fourteen years old
but eight years before he had received
severe injury, viii h had affected his
spine and warped his right knee in such
a manner that he could not walk, even
on crutehes.
He was one OF large family that de-
pended on his father for daily bread.
The father was good man enough in his
rough way, but he felt that this crippled
son was an incumberance. Sometimes
he forgot himself and showed that he
felt this.
A useless memb + Of q. busy household,
who must be fed and clothed, is certain
ly in the way In a poor mans home, and
Mr.. Wilmer used to wonder why such an
affection should be sent him.
The boys mother was fill Of tender
ness and compassion for him, but she
had to work so hard for her other
healthy, exactiny children, that she had
little tine to spare for him.
The house was very small. BY his
own request the unfortunate cripple had
been carried TO II garret-room at the
head of the stairs. The noise made by
the boisterous playing of his brothers
and sisters made his head ache, and it
was perpetual pain to him to contrast
his shrunken limbs and helplessness,
with their robust activity.
'Put me out Of the way, ma" he said,
in sulien tone of voice. Folks don't
think of nothin' but themselves nohow,
and the boys is forever atumlin' and
rompin' over my bed, and pa he makes
such fuss hollerin' round. don't
want to see nobody, and nobody don't
want to see me- Just git me out of the
way. Pm tired of bein' here"
So the mother fixed up the garrett as
we'll as her poor means allowed, made it
look bright and cheerful, and carried
David up there in her strong arms.
"Shet that winder where the sun
comes In" he said. fretfully. Folks
flat kin walk and run about may like
the sun, but I hate it. Yes, l do;
hate everything, tied down to this hate
full bed"
80 sonny, don't talk 3D." said his
mother. lit seems like flynn in the
face of the Lord. If he chooses to 'tlict
you this way, it surely amt for you nor
me to grumble."
"Twant the Lord done it, and You
know it, too, ma. 1t was John Hooper
pushed me off his high gallery. wish
he had broke my neck, and be done
with it."
You may see from this that Wilmer
was not one of the patient, pious lads
trary, he was not simply ignorant and
fretful, but he was surly. Life had been
made hard to him, and he saw no justice
in it, and his dissatisfaction found vent
in in-humos and passionate outbIrsts.
One morning he was lying modify
staring at a web that spider was busily
weaving from the closed shutter to the
rafters. He could read q
little but he did not like books.
He insisted that the sunlight should be
kept from his room, and there he lay in
perpetual gloom, his mind travelling
round and round in the same circle: his
own suferings, how much he was neg
lected, how cruel and selfish everybody
was, and how he wished something
were playing baseball in the next lot.
Just then at the bottom of the stairs,
ne heard strange voice. It was that of
woman who was talking to his mother.
"You are Mrs. Wilmer, l believe. I
hecr ycc have son who is an invalid.
| should like to see him very much if
you please"
MA! ma!' called out David, sharply.
II want Won to come right up here"
She ran up, thinking from his tone
that he was taken suddenly i'll. "What
is it, David?" she said, breathlesslv.
sNow look herei I amt asgoin' to
have that woman come up here. I've
had enough of them tract women a-talk-
in, a-preachfn, to me, and l 'bliged to
lie still and swaller it. What do they
know bout how l feel, gabblin' like so
many turkeys. l wish they'd take my
place for a month, and then they'd
know howit feels to have headache and
baekache and.people screechin' like pea
cocks in your ears. If that woman down
stairs comes Tip, IN put my fingers in
my ears, SO l can't hear her."
Miss Morton, In the room below, heard
every word of this: ''On yes, my little
man." she thought" 'Stop your ears if
you wish, and she lauq hed softly to her.
self.
"Don't apologize" fhe said to Mrs.
make some excuse 70, not taking her up
stairs. 81 couldn't help hearing what
your son said. But l am not a tract
woman as he calls them, and I'll try
not to screech like peacock. Yes, 1
have mission, or rather something I'd
like to give" laughing as she noticed
Mrs. Wiflmer's eyes fall upon small
basket she carried. eff you'll give me
permission to 60 up, l think | can make
myself welcome. I'll 60 up alone, if you
please
The pleasant, sunny face of the young
lady charmed tho poor woman into a
tinid acquiescence. She knew she
would have to encounter storm for dis
obeying her sick autocrat, and dreaded
1t, but how could she refuse this lady,
one of the most cheerful and pleasant
faced she had ever seenP She had heard
OF her as wealthy girl, who tried
many ways to be of service to the poor
AS Miss Morton entered the room, she
had to stop few minutes to accustom
her eyes to the gloom. David glanced at
her. Then he turned his face to the
wall. HIS did not put his fingers in his
ears, for the glimpse he caught of her
Dflght, suiiIlHS. lace maue nltu RouOef
who on earth she could be, and what
had brought her there.
"Good-morning," said acheerful voice.
"Your name is David, isn't it? Please
don't be angry with me for coming, but
I've heard how you are kept in the house
and in bed all the time, because of the
accident you met with; and l thought
it would please you to see some bright
flowers that / have. SO I've brought
them"
Now flowers were passion with the
boy. He seldom enjoyed the sight of
cultivated ones. The common wild
flowers usually made up the few bouquets
his mother had time to gather for him.
He turned to see beautiful roses, such az
he had never dreamed Of; crimson, yell
low, white, great glowing mass that
filled the shabby garrett with perfume
and light.
"Ohv' was all he would say, as she
placed the flowers in his hand ooh
amt they SWEET" and his hungry eyes
devoured them, He did not thank her
in words, but those eyes spoke for him.
"That is not ALL" she continued. in