The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-07-26
PLAYED CRIPPLE.

naughty and inperious that the young
men Of the community stood in awe Of
her. The colonel and his daughter lived
in an old stone house, moss grown and
covered with vines. A stream that came
tumbling out of the hills swept past the
foot Of the garden at the back Of the
house, and the fox, playing among the
purple lark spurs, barRed the whole
night through. Every surrounding wore
the soft color of romance, and every
sound about the old place seemed to be
inspired by a lurking sentiment. The
old man sat all day on the broad porch |
smoking his pipe, while Zaldie sang old |
songs or played with a dog ON the soft |
and grassy slope. Every one had come
to believe that the girl lived merely to
scorn marriage in her gentle and beauti-
full way, and there was not swain in
all the neighborhood that dared to
breathe hope of winning her.
Luke Brizentine, who owned the finest |
horse in the country and had therefore |
strong claims, had asked her to share his |
life of corn bread and wild mustard |
green's and had not only been rejected, !
but was violently kicked down the steps |
by the old man. Sol Mattersn had |
been equally presumptuous, and although |
he owned a water mill ana pretty fair
article of bay steers, the old colonel shook !
him until dry grin of anguish that
lasted several days settled on his face.
One day slim young fellow named
Griggle Nj. Robinson, while passing
through the settlement, caught sight of
the girl as she played with the dog. He
saw her hair waving like new wheat
straw dashed about, and he heard the
music of her voice, and then he swore
that he would win her. He stopped at
neighboring village, and in an adroit
way drew the landlord into telling W that
he knew of her. Then he went to his
room to mediate upon plan Of action,
and he was greatly encouraged, fo1
Griggle was a lawyer and had practiced
before a justice of the peace. At mid
night, just as his candle placed ON the
hearth had begun to nod he got up,
laughed softly, and in his subdued
ecstasy gently bumped his head against
the wall. His plan had ripened.
81 have heard" he said to himself,
''that pity is akin to love. Glorious
poet who wrote that Incl Ahl what
will he could have drawn upl-what
writer of mortgages hewould have madel
will go to that house painful cripple,
with a few dollars in my pocket, and
engage board. They win not refuse me-
1 will converse with her as the days pass,
and my own words and her own pity
shall hndle her soul into flame Of love.
Then, when she is mine, l will stand
out before her a strong and sound man,
and what was pity shall turn to pride.
Griggle M. Robinson you were born to
be great"
The afternoon was beautiful Zaldie,
tired of play and tired of singing, sat
with her father on the porch, and the
dog, with a garland Of larkspurs about
his neck, snapped at the horse flies that
came buzzing through the warm air.
"Who is that at the gate?' the colonel
asked.
"Oh, it is a poor, crippled man, " the
girl answered.
"Come right ON inl' the old man shout.
ed. "Zaldie, help him mp the steps"
"Oh, no" the cripple pleasantly an
swered, coming forward; 81 can help
myself"
He came up ON the porch not ungrace-
fully, and after bowling with Il grateful
air sat down ON chair which the girl
ran and brought for him.
'You look so tired, 4" said the girl. Let
me get pillow for you to rest your head
on"
son, no" Griggle responded, looking
up and smiling. "You have already
made me so comfortable that that
Here he broke down.
"Tut, tut said the colonel, wheeling
about in his chair. eve have only done
for you what we should do for any one
in distress. Where do you live, hahy'
81 live many miles from here" Grig-
gle replied; ''that is, the brown hills
among which / once happily dwelled
are many weary days journey from
this romantic place.
"Why, my dear sir, you do not talk
like AN ignorant-eXcuse ne--a crippled
man.
''Oh, papa, the girl interposed, Grip
pied men, l should think can talk as
well as ANY one else"
"Well /" said the old man. scratching
his head, mot as a general thing. There
is Hamp Smith, for instance. He is
crippled, and / don't know that / ever
saw worse talker. However, that is
neither here nor there. What can we
do for your
''You can, if You will. do great deal
for me. ] win explain my situation: 1t
was absolutely necessary for me TO have
q change Of scene, and i started ont with
that end in view. | have Travelled many
miles, have crossed many rivers. but this
Is the only place that holds out prom
ise Of rest. Now, 30 come at once 10 the
point, want to board with you for q
while"
"Why, my dear sir, the old gentle
man exclaimed, "I never took a boardei
In my life
''But papa, the girl quickly spoke up
''do let us take him just for "a while, any
way. 1t can do ms no harm, aud VIII b'
80 much Of benefit to him
can right, have it your way
What a glorious time 10 was for Grig
glei He would sit on "A rustic bench IL
the yard watching the girl ia her joyous
play, and occasionally She would com,
up mischieyously and throw o handful
Of flowers at him.
"DOn't you wish that you could ROM
with mefn she asked ono day.
Griggle sohhed aud leaned his bead On
the back of the bench.
"Ohl please don't cry the GIN im
y . d. d l.. !. j