Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-01-05
TOMMYS LAMENESS.
How "A Little Boy Was Permanently Cure,
of Very bad Habit.

of Very Bad Habit
well Tom, my boy" said papa,
looking up from his breakfast one
bright morning, as his little son came
limping to his place at the table,
what's the matter this time? Lame
again." Tom looked little suspicious
as he saw suggestion OF twinkle in
his fathers grave eyes
Now papa" he said quite solemly,
and with a much injured look, I've
truly, hurried my leg just terrible; /
have, for and faint just count of SUN
day, eiver."
Tom was six, but his tongue still
tripped over many of the words, and he
often talked very crookedly when he
was bit embarrassed.
"Never mind" said papa, with a
laugh, 81 don't believe it's serious.
Eat your breakfast quickly, or You
won't be ready to go to church with
me Tom looked dismayed and the
little mother who never failed him in
trouble, this time had contented her
self with putting sugar and cream in
his oatmeal and bidding him make
haste.
Papa drank his coffee hurriedly and
went into his study to look over his
morning sermon. In a few moments
mamma followed him.
will" she said, ~ don't know what
10 do with Tom. This intermittent
Iameness which attacks him every sew
enth day, has required, and the case
calls for serious attention | can tell
the child he must come to church of
course and can show him that think
he is not truthful"
Papa knit his brows. "Tom doesn't
mean to be untruthful," he said; "he
deceives himself | wish we could
shame him out Of this"
Mamma looked up suddenly Il have
an idea, " she said, and she whispered
in his ear Papa laughed aloud.
All right, she said, "rll see Alec
after service"
The house was very quiet after every
one had gone to church Tom sat read
ing by the long open window that
looked across the lawn. and tried not
70 remember that mamma had said ii
would he better for him 60 stay in
doors. The soft warm sunshine crcpt
across the grass and the old apple tree
tossed its blossoms in the most tanta-
lizing way, as much as to say: See
how lovely il is ont here In in the
branches robin perched and looked
at Tom with his head on one side
Cheer mp, he called, come here, here,
here.
Il can't" said Tom ,I'm lame"
Then he looked down ashamed, and mis-
cheeks grew quite pink lie wondered
if the robin really knew.
by and by a white butterfly sailed
directly past the window 1t looked
almost like the leaf of an apple bios
som. Tom caught his hat and was off
like flash. The lame leg made as good
time as the well one, as he scampered
down the lawn in hot chase after the
white butterfly From branch to
branch, now low, now high, sometimes
Just near his hand, sometimes almost
out of sight it went, and Tom kept
pace as only small boy sound in mind
and limb could do. The minutes few
by, and Tom did'not see the three peo-
pie who were walking slowly up the
path.
One of them-it was Uncle Alec. the
doctor burst into a peal Of laughter.
and Tom, away over by the hedge,
heard and flew into the house bv the
side door They had seen him, but he
did not know that that was why Uncle
Alec laughed. What did Uncle Alec
come home with papa and mamma for?
He always went to grandma's after
church. But Tom was settled again in
the big chair, industriouslv studying
his Sunday school lesson when mann
ma came in.
How is the knee, Tommy" she said
I've brought Uncle Alec home with
me TO see il. You have been lame A
good deal, lately, and | thought il quite
time something was done
Tom dropped his book in dismav. u
don't need Uncle Alec, truly don't"
he said eagerly 1T viii be all wen in
the morning, | shouldn't wonder and
Is You mamma, ia just let il 20
would, honest"
But al in vain, Uncle Alec came in.
and papa, and they sat down beside the
big chair Mamma unbuttoned the
shoe aud drew of the stocking very
slowly. Does that hur.a" she asked.
Tom hung hi, head His ace was very
red now. and his voice was very Tow AZ
he said Nom
Uncle Alec pressed his fingers SLOWLY
and gently on every part # the strong.
brown little knee. ON which tiny
black and blu, spot showed faintlv.
Does this hurt, Iom?a be said, press