The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-10-30

~amie, the Cripple
CBy LneyfF. Gerrish In Union slgnall
"Hurrahl Ten cents every week for
all the errands dor shouted Ralph
TO his friend Herbert. as he rushed out
Of the house on bis way to school.
wish ! could have ten cents. said
Herbert, softly. but don't think my
mamma could spare Il 20 me. there are
30 many Of as; and. you know. jamie
IL alex 20 much. We have lots OF bills
70 pay. Poor Jamiei I do wish his
back would not keep growing 70 crook
ed and ache 80: would like TO have
him grow we'll"
The two boys stated on 10 school:
and during the Opening exercises
Ralph was thinking all the time what
Herbert hads said about little jamie.
He knoE/5amie was a cripple. but he
did RRf realize that he must suffer a
.g7r6ai deal.
How dld God happen to make him
that way" said Ralph to his mother
that night.
He did net make him that way.
dear" replied his mother "He was
running about the field after a beauti-
ful yellow butterfly. Il few over the
old iron fence; and. a. jamie was very
small. he tried TO get through after Il:
hut the fence gave way and fell. crush
ing little jamie beneath Il. His cries
attracted the men who were NJ work
In the Geld. and they took him up gent.
~ and carried him home, never "a
walk again. az he had injured his
spine. So be has 10 keep IN hls ohalr
all the time; and mamma thinks h,
must Be a very patient little boy
much more 10 than some little boy
who have eyerything-and I am sur,
God must b. proud Of such a patien
little sufferer"
4 should not have thought Go,
would let that horrld fence com,
down said Ralph.
1T was not Gods fault: he mad,
jamie we'll and strong. hut other
were careless. and did not keep thI
fence a. Il should BE- kept"
DO you suppose lie would care n
bought an awful 10, Of candy with M
money!"
4 am afraid lie would think Ralpl
rather selfish"
The next day was Saturday. Ralpl
kept hearing the word selfish" AM
his heart seemed full OF the story Of M
Gle jamie.
The bright little silver piece s,li
stayed IN his pocket. Twice he wa
tempted 10 spend u Tor candy. an
twice something said In the little heart
sSelnshr'
Another week went by. and stIll an
other and another. until four little eli
yer pieces, making forty cents, wer
nicely put away In a little boz.
One night a. his mother kissed hin
goodnight. she said. What Is the mat
Ter with my boy. that he Is SO qule
and thoughtfulG"
Ralph choked back a lump While
~. would come IN his throat. and with
cry I'D. %. mother. ! can't get tia
word 'seihah' out OF my heart. and
do wiah l could make God see me NO
90 selfish. tried 10 think Il was no
me that was selfish. but / know
was"
"Nover mind" said HE mother: Il
you are really sorry, God viii under
stand"
Mother. dear. know what will d
with my silver pieces / will giy
them 20 jamie 20 buy whatever b
wants; and half Of all can earn ia
mile shall have"
THAT IL mothers noble. unselfsl
boy. To give others pleasure. dear
win giye you much more pleasure thai
the money possibly could"
Tho next day the silver pieces foun'
their way 10 the sick child: and sucl
q happy boy a. little jamie was. anS
such a happy face Ralph worel
The next Saturday night beside his
bed be found a piece OF paper on which
were the words. n h more blessed "a
give than 10 receive" and beside the
paper a beautiful picture Of the Boy
Christ: under this. TO my dear little
son. that Il may help him TO be unset
nah"