The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-08-27
Common Gifts.

III l corid onlx a1sw like taat !
shouldn't care forsnsiing else in the
wor.d.r sail a bright, handsome boy
while gazing 81 some drawings which
seemed io him worthy of ali praise +" sly
fingers are thnnais gae minute I take a
pencil IN hand. what can he the reason 2
4 don't know ths, can tell yoH. an
swered his teacher, 4hose patienes vas
sore'y tried 10y Ais irregular lines and
coarse silaiines-
4 never would take snoiher lesson,
only Think rnakiag pieiares Is the niees'
thing in the world % Do don't care
for anything else compared with that
Tomorrow. viii show you some
drawings made by alad no older than
yourself"
Il wish YOU world, Miss Brown,
should ike to see What some other boy,
twelve years old, can do.
To morrow came. and tls- drawing were
showr 10 q ,ben Gregg, vho expressed
his admiration in The most enthusiastic
manner.
~What wonderful arts: that boy vii
be, l envy him ; ] wish I was like bin
Where is be can't see bin he ex-
claimed in breath.
perhaps you can II he Is able to come
ont be is not very strong
Il shouldn't care for that If could use
q pencil as be can
He is little. deaf" continued Miss
Brown.
well. rdon't think would mind thai
much replied Robert. with some hesita-
ton.
"IIe Is lame and somewhat deiormed.
I shouldnt ike that but ! could
draw all the same # my hands were right
! want to SEE hiin, anyway"
III you will be in nay room tomorrow
at two O'Clock you shall see him; but you
must promise not to speak TIL speak to
you"
Il promise answered Robert; and
then he went home 10 wonder why this
promise was reqnircd-
The next day be was in the appointed
place al the appointed tune, and present
~ the door Of Mss BroWn's studiO was
opened 10 admit boy who came limping
in. A circular cloak concealed the figure
Of the new conner, but when this was
thrown of. there he stood, humP-backed
and leaning 10 one side, his head SEEM
ing 10 rest upon his mishapen shoulder,
and his plain face relieved fTom positive
ugliness only by his son, expressive eyes
Robert 6reeg glanced al his own
straight limbs and then at the reelection
OF himself in the mirTsr opposite. lie
would not look ike the boy inihe stedio
for the world. Tie would hide quite out
Of sight lie never dreamed the young
artist was before him until called by Miss
Brown 10 make the acquaintance Of
Phlip Spanlding.
Robert thinks your gifi more to be de-
sired than any other said the lady after
the two lads had exchanged greetings.
Il think the common gifts are more to
be desired, replied Philip sadly. IF |
could be like you, straight and strong,
wouldn't care II ! never saw q picture,
he added, turning to Robert. Mother
saws my gin is what the Lord gave me to
make up for taking away - much. 50
try to be patient and not feel bad when
people look away from me as If they
couldn't bear snca a sight When ] am
working with my pencils and crsyons
forget. / am so anxious 10 be great ar
tist: but must study great many Other
things before that can be.
aDo YOU ike to study" asked Robert
"Not very well, was replied. "lt
makes my head ache, and get fred o.
thinking; but know I must do t. ]
think you have everything to make you
happy.
Robert Gregg felt 50 much sympathy
for his companion that he. was careful not
10 manifest his aversion for such def0rm.
ity bat when he went bounding down
the street without thought OF fatigue
he rejoiced as never before in the "com-
mon gifts which had been bestowed
upon him. In his short interview with
Philip Spaulding be had learned the
reason why he could not be an artist
lie had not an artists GIFT, but be had
health and strength, with every sense full
and acute There were thoEsand things
which he could 10. He could be one Of
the active helpers 50 much needed in the
world, standing firm for the right, and
thus manifesting his gratitude for COM
mon gifts -W'sE- spring