The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-02-13

pain, ana was lalu beside her 1aCner,
Orrin Underwood, on the sunny hill
side. "Do not grieve," friend had
said to the weeping mother. 'She
would have been cripple, you know.
1t is better So" Susanna's grief never
took on O morbid hue, but it was the
grief of mothers heart just the same.
Since there was cripple children's
home within reach, why that was just
the place for the warm, gay little dress
es, the long warm stockings, the wool
lined slippers, the snug hood-all the
things that would have kept Susie from
the winters cold, had she not been
called to SUMMER climes. With her
bulky package neatly strapped, and
her heart under the strong, sensible
control from which it seldom broke
away, Susanna Underwood visited
the home.
"Please lay this package aside" she
said quietly to the matronly suprien-
tendent who bade her welcome. II
think you may find it useful--just some
cloths for your little ones. May see
the children?"
They had just gathered in the large
CHEEKY parlor, such as were able, for
their daily simple service of songs and
prayers, twenty children whose tender
bodies had refused to grow straight
and strong.
No one could see Susanna's hands
grip each other tightly under her
shawl. Tears ran unchecked over her
cheeks-but then nearly all who visit
ed the home were deeply moved at the
sight of that family of happy-faced,
afflicted children.
After she had heard their songs and
prayers, and had moved about among
them with smiles and bright, mother
ly words, she wrapped the shawl about
her and made ready to leave. The
suprintendent walked with her to the
door. In the hall stood tall, bright.
faced girl-armless.
"Ah," said the superintendent, "here
is Mamie. She was sitting with one of
see her. Mamie is our sunshine"
The visitor instinctively put out her
hand, and then shivered at her mis-
take.
II can't shake e hands, said the child,
brightly. "You can shake me if you
want toI'
"Poor darling ~ exclaimed Susanna,
taking Mamie into her own strong
arms.
mamie is older than the age named
in our bylaws" said the superlnten-
dent, "of children who may live here.
Incurable cases we keep till we can
place them comfortably somewhere
else. Mamie's case was peculiar, and
we all love her so, we just break the
law and keep her at least until the
Lord opens home for her. She ought
to be in a real home. She is well and
strong, and only needs to be loved and
cared for.
It was the custome of the home to
speak freely lin wisdom) before the
older children touching their condition,
to prepare them by the kindest practi-
cal method for the time when they
would meet the looks and words of q
thoughtless, if not hearlless, word.
A thrill shot through Susanna
Uuderwood's soul. She looked into
Mamie's fair, sweet, womanly face.
She thought at lightning speed fUr the
space of a minute and half. Then
she turned to the superintendent.
"Can you find time to come and see
me this week? I live alone in L..
Bring this dear child. don't know
I can't say-but perhaps the Lord is
in this. At least, come into the coun-
try for day. There are some flowers
left. and great deal of sunshine and
fresh air."
That night, Susanna Underwood
prayed again: "Lord Don't let me
do an i'm mpulsive thing at my age! But
dosen't il look as if it was to be? The
child can't even wipe away her own
tears, Lord, think of it! No arms, and
me here alone with two! Is that why
I went to the city? Did you lead me
to pray for someone? Lord, do keep
me sensible and open my eyes to see
straight!
A few days later, Mamie sat on the
bench where Susanna Underwood had
sat and longed to be of some use. She
looked about her in dream of delight
The old fashioned garden, the thatched
cottage, the queer little windows, the
vines, the birds, the bees, the kitten
leaping in the sunshine-"Oh, dear
Jesus" she whispered she had
known the Saviour for many happy
months-I'd like to live here. That
lady looks as if she knew Just how
crippled children feel"
"WelI," said the superintendent to
Susanna in the quaint parlor, where
they had been sitting in close confer
ence, "it really looks as if the Lord
had led each one of us to this. Mamie
needs a real home to grow in. She
took very strang liking to you that
day. say strange for she is shy and
sensitive. 1t is not as ifshe had been
born without arms, or had lost them
by accident in babyhood. She fully
understands and remembers the terri
BILE experience. She is what she is by
the deed of one she loved, who was
drink-crazed.
Have you considered well?"
II have considered well," answered
Susanna.
"Let's us go and tell the child, then.
What an outcry there will be wheu
she leaves us ~
Mamie listened to the words of her
two friends, the old and the new.
She stood between them. Only her
loving Heavenly Father knew how in
that supreme moment she wanted
hands and arms to help fill out the
sentences of loving gratitude she could
but imperfectly frame. The mother of
Susie Underwood knew. She drew
the child close to her. "What do you
think little one?
81 can be feet for you, dear lady !"
"And 1 can he hands for you, dar-
ling! Then this is your home. I
knew the Lord would fix things. He
always does when we are truly in
earnest.n