Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-01-12
ToMMY,s LAMENEss.

How a Little BOY Was Permanently Cured
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?n Tom looked a little suspicious
as he saw suggestion of a twinkle in
his fathers grave eyes.
Nov, papa" he said quite solemly
and with a much injured look. ~
truly, hurried my leg just terrible
have. for and faint just count of SuS
day, eiver"
Tom was six, but his tongue still
often talked very crooledly when he
was bit EN- barrassed.
Never mind" said papa, with
laugh, 81 don't believe it's serious.
Eat your breakfast quickly, or you
won't be ready to go TO church with
NE" Tom looked dismayed and the
little mother, who never failed him in
trouble this time had coutented 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 II don't know what
to do with Tom. This intermittent
lameness 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. p"
Mamma looked up suddenly. 81 have
an idea, she said, and she whispered
in his ear. Papa laughed aloud
"All right" she said, "I'll 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
TO remember that mamma had said it
would be better for him TO stay in
doors. The soft warm sunshine crept
across the grass, and the old apple tree
tossed its blossoms in the most tanta-
LIKING way, as much as to say: See
how lovely it is out here" Up in tho
branches a robin perched and looked
at Tom with his head on one side
Cheer up" he called, come here. here,
mere.
Il can't" said Tom ''I'm lame"
Then he looked down ashamed, and his
cheeks grew quite pink. He wondered
Il the robin really knew.
BY and by 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 |
Ike Dash. 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 |
ont of sight il went. and Tom kept 4
pace as only a small boy sound in mind /
and limb could do. The minutes flew
hy, and Tom did not see the three peo- /
pie who were walking slowly mp the /
path
One of them-it was Uncle Alec. the 1
doctor-burst into n peal of laughter. /
Snd Tom. away over bv the hedge. I
heard and few into the house by the /
side door. They had seen him. but he .
did not know that that was why Uncle T
tlec laughed What did Uncle Alec 4
come home with papa and mamma for?
nc always went to grandma's after
church. But Tom was settled again i'm
the big chair. industriously studying
hiS Nunday-school lesson, when mann
IA came in.
How is the knee, Tommy she said
We brought Uncle Alec home with
No 10 see it. You have been lame a
good deal. lately. and Thought it quite
TINE something was done
Tom dropped his book in dismay. 81
don't need Uncle Alec. truly don't
he said Eagerly. ut will be all well in
ne morning | shouldn't wonder. and
Is you mamma, I'd just let il go--1
would. honest
hnt all in vain, Uncle Acc came in.
arc papa. and they sat down beside the
Pig chair. Mamma uubuttoned the
shoe aud drew off the stocking very
slowly. Does that hurt?' she asked
ION hung his head. His face was very
reo now. and his voice was very low as
ae said Nom"
Uncle Alec pressed his fingers slowly
@ns gently on every part of the strong.
crown little knee. On which a tiny
PACK and blue spot showed family
Does his hurt. Tom2r lie said, press