The Little Apostle on Crutches

"I WONDER you don't get discouraged of all your praying and church going, Mrs. Browne, for certainly the Lord doesn't seem to reward you for it! First you loses your husband; then your boy Bob, that ought to have been your support, cuts away and leaves you, and the Lord knows what's become of him; then your gal Nancy, that used to be a cute little kid, seems to grow duller and more helpless every week, and to crown all, there's that poor mite, wee Willie, that's bright enough for anything, and a helpless cripple for life." "Come, come, Mrs. Warner, it's not so bad as you make out," said Mrs. Browne as gently as she could, for her neighbor's ways and manners jarred upon her not a little. "My dear husband has left us, that's true, but he died a most beautiful and holy death. As for Bob, last time he wrote to me he said he had a good situation and hoped to send lne money soon. Boys must be boys, and they're seldom good correspondents, but I know my lad's heart is in the right place. As for poor Nancy, she's a bit slow and clumsy, but there never was a more willing girl or a sweeter tempered one, and I expect she's just at the awkward age, that's all. So long as I can keep my health and work for them all, I've got no cause to complain. Besides which, even when the Lord does send me crosses, I know it's all for the best and out of love of me. 'Whom the Lord loveth, He chastiseth. ' You know it says that in the Bible." "I didn't think you Catholics held much account of the Bible, and in any case, if I were you, I'd wish the Lord didn't love me so much, if all your troubles is a sign of His love. There's wee Willie now!" "Of course it's a cross to me to see the dear little fellow such a sufferer, but he's so brave and patient, and so cheery in spite of all, that it takes the bitterness out of even that sorrow". Besides which, the doctors have promised me that he will he cured before be grows to be a man." "And you believe in doctors, Mrs. Browne?" said Mrs., Warner disdainfully.. "Yes, Mrs. "Tarner, and I believe in the goodness of God most of all, and if I have troubles I'll know where to go for help to bear them. Ah! here are my t, vo youngest; they're well and strong enough anyhow. I've that to be thankful for," and hastily leaving her neighbor, Mrs. Browne went to meet the two pretty little girls, one a black-eyed baby of four, and her sister, a demure little girl of about six.