The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-06-09
Patient in Suffering.

The Open Windo,c, a magazine de-
voted to the interests of the Shut-in-So-
ciety, gives such lovely picture of the
herosm displayed in one sick-room
that health and comfort must follow its
reading: In her shadowy sick-room
found patient sufferer lying alone. 1t
was an hour when her son could be
away from his business and with her,
and all the week she waited for this
time of enjoyment of his society and
for the comfort of his presence. But
where is Henry?' Iasked, looking about
the chamber. sent him away said
the mother, with smile. Sent him
away, when you have waited all the
week to have him with you?' Yes
she answered, gently. Sunday is his
only free day, you know, and he has so
little sunshine and fresh air that l
thought walk would do him good
But 1 am almost surprised that he
should be willing to co. answered, in
a disappointed tone, for this sweet in
valid had so many lonely hours that l
coveted for her the delight she had so
unhesitatingly put aside. He would
have stayed she answered, gently.
He is always willing to stay, but Mrs.
Hunt sent me such delicious mold Of
jelly that 1 wanted old Hetty Grant to
have some of it, so persuaded Henry
to take it to her. Yes, / understand;
''two birds with one stone" Old
Hetty Grant and the boy must both be
made happy, but how about yourself?
/ confess l wanted you to be happy to-
day. and 1 touched the pale cheeks
playfully, surprised to see her eyes
slowly filling with tears. But you
mustn't make me selfish, DEAR she said
in voice that tried to be CHEEKY. The
fact is, know complaints are hard fol
any one who is young and strong tc
hear, and Henry is young and strong
and 1 must not complain before him
1t isn't that he does not feel for me; he
feels too much. He feels helpless and
perplexed, and, of course, he does moi
know one thing to do to help, and some
times he goes away half veXed and with
feeling that is anything but submits
sive to God. When this happens,
fear my illness is becoming harm, in
stead Of blessing to him, as of course
l want it to be- And so you sent
him away when you suffer?' Yes
and partly Tor that reason SenJ MIN
away to-day. My head was so full Of
pain that l could not bear the light
neither could l bear to shut him w
here in the shadows. Then l want his
recollection of me to be sweet after
am gone, not painful, and how can i
be so if he sees all l have to bear?
And so the dear soul was bearing he
own load of physical distress, and max
ing at the same time the effort to con
ceal it, that the one dearest to he
might not be saddened by her pain
And, as looked at her, could recall
many another sufferer who is doins
the same thing day after day and weel
after week. And wished some of tn,
people who feel so sure that invalidisn
always makes people selfish could Sc,
this lovely mother quietly putting ava,
the things she cares most for in life
knowing all the time that she is NOV
ing surely and swiftly beyond the sigh
of her boys beloved face. We littl
know the heroism practiced in many
sick-room. We count the tears, an,
the means, and the complaints, but i
must be that God keeps that sweete
record of the tears that are suppressed
the means that are checked, the impa
tent words that die unspoken ON tn
lips. His infinite tenderness mus
surely supply what human tenderness
fails to give. "-Ihe Presbyterian.