San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-07-24
PLAYED CRIPPLE.


exceedingly handsome, but was SO
naughty and imperious that the young
men of the community stood in awe o.
her. The colonel and his daughter lived
in an old stone house, moss grown and
covered with vines. A stream that came
tnmbling 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, barked the whole
night through. Every surrounding wore
the soft color of romance, and every
sound about the old place seemed to be
inspired by lurking sentiment. The
old man sat all day on the broad porch
smoking his pipe, while Zaldie sang old
songs or played with 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 bcauti-
ful way, and there was not u 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
greens, and had not only been rejected,
but was violently kicked down the steps
by The old man. Sol Matterson had
been equally presumptuous, and although
he owned water mill and pretty fair
article of bay steers, the old colonel shook
him until q dry grin of anguish that
lasted several days settled o., his face.
One day slim young fellow named
Griggle M. 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 lie heard the
music of her voice, and then he swore
that he would win her. He stopped at a
neighboring village, and in al adroit
way drew the landlord into telling That
he knew OF her.. Then he went to his
room to mediate upon plan of action,
and he was greatly encouraged, for
Gr'iggle was u lawyer and had practicel
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,
'!tllat pity is akin to love. Glorious
poet who wrote that line! All. what a
will he could have drawn up.-what
writer Of mortgages he would have made!
| will go to that house q painful cripple,
with o. few dollars in my pocket, and
engage board. They will not refuse me.
| will converse with her as the days pass,
and my own words and her own pity
shall kindle her soul into flame Of love.
Then, when she is mine, / will stand
out before her q strong and sound man,
and what was pity shall turn to pride.
Griggle NJ. 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 garland of larlcspurs about
his neck, snapped at the horse flies that
came buzzing through the warm cir.
"Who is that at the gate!' the colonel
asked.
hOh, it is q poor, crippled man." the
girl answered.
"Comeright on inr' the old man shout
ed. "Zaldie, help him mp tho steps"
"Oh, no." the cripple pleasantly an
swered, coming forward; Il can help
myself"
He came up ON the porch not ungrace-
fully, and after bowling with n grateful
air sat down on a chair which the girl
ran and brought for him.
"You look so tired" said the girl. Let
me get pillow for you to rest your head
on"
"On, no." GriggJs responded. looking
ND and smiling. You have already
made me 80 comfortable that-that--
Here be broke down.
Tut, tut" said the colonel, wheeling
about in his chair. I'VE have only done |
Tor YOU what we shOuld do for any one |
IN distress. Where do you live. hahY'
81 live many miles from here. Grig- |
de replied: that is, the brown hills /
lmong which I once happily dwelled /
Ire many a weary dsy's journey from
his romantic place"
why. my dear sir, you do not talk |
Ike sn ignoranf-excuse me-a crippled .
nan"
oh papa the gin iutsrposed, GRIP .
led nen, should think, can talk -
vel a. any ols else
wei, sid the cd Ia. srrztchinz
ne hesd, not ss = gszsr1l thing. Ihsre
. Hzmp Smith for instaoos- He IL
.rsr.1ei. AID I dat Es0r that ever
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