Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-08-17
CHAPTER II.
THE LITTLE CRIPPLE.

W0J0n QUART arose early the next
morning, and, as he had not been ell
abled the night before to pay the dumb
animals of the place visit. he con-
cluded he would do SO before breakfast.
The sun was up shining brightly, and
Clarence and Will were feeding the
horses and getting ready for the days.
work. There were many familiar
creatures for him to see. Bally and
Bess had to be patted, caressed and
made to know that their former master
had come home. Then he paid visit
to the goats and sheep in the pasture.
Some seemed to recognize him, and ran
bleating toward the outstretched hand
that SO oft had fed them. when he
came to gaze about On the beautiful
landscape. the fields and pastures Of
his dear old home. he was almost sorry
that he had that diploma with the de.
gree Of NJ. D.
Il could live happier here as farm
er-boy than anywhere else on earth. y
he sighed. But he remembered thai
he could not always be a boy. and al
the boys could not be farmers. Blessed
indeed. is the lot of the boy who is 9
farmer. untrammeled by ambition
holding sweet communion with nature
the year 'round-we can but envy thu
farmer. Thus. he tolls. but when nigh,
comes he sleeps without harrassine
cares or annoyances of the morrow
No troubled brain and vexatious suits
fall in price Of goods. lettering bank.
or dangerous patients disturb bis sleep
And while he sleeps the corn and cattle
grow in value.
All these reflections came to the mind
Of the young NJ. d. as he gazed about
over the old homestead. At last he
turned about to enter the house. HI
had wandered around to the rear Of
the farmhouse, and was coming up tc
the kitchen when he discovered some
sae sitting on the back porch who
attracted his attention. 1t was only q
little boy, not over six or under foul
years OF age to judge by his face, though
his body was dwarfed and his little
form misshapen. He was little bunch.
back, with sweet patient face, which
bore evidences Of suffering. and vet the
large blue eyes were clear and bright.
He sat in his little rocking chair enjoy.
ing the warm sunlight which stresmed
in upon the latticed portico.
where did the child come from ?"
he asked aloud. though he evidently did
not expect an answer, for he was too
far away from the child for il to hear.
and he saw no one else. Some one else
saw him. however. Peddler Pete was
an early riser, and on this morning, as
was his usual custom when at farmer
Stuart's, he lit his pipe and took a
stroll "about the place" before break
fast.
"Ye never saw that little Teller
before ?" be asked. stepping from
behind a cherry bush within three or
four feet Of Warren. and noddins to-
ward the little cripple.
mo. I neversaw him, nor heard Of
him before"
Hes well known all over Sandy
Fork" and Pete pressed his finger in
his pipe bowl.
THAT may be true. Pete, and he still
be a stranger to me. You know have
not been about Sandy Fork very much
for the last five years. Three year. ip
college and then two in the medical
school have taken considerable from
my life"
That's 50. why doggon II. I'd forgot
that" said Pete. putting away At his
pipe.
That IL an interesting child"
Pete shook his head sadly and said:
"Yes. he's good child and will never
be 1t home any place save in Heaven.
Hes just ono O. them good little boys
the Sunday-school books tell Us about
who alters die; he's got to die, and
then guess some one will write . book
about him."
who is he, and why is he here ?"
Didn't ye ever hear of Mr.. Lake
man. Benjamin believe. who lived