isa-normaladvance-1915-00094-Jan

Description:	The Normal AdvanceVolume XX.TERRE HAUTE, IND., JANUARY, 1915.Number 4.W$t angels iHtetafceBy GLADYS SMITHON the corner of one of the quiet, peacefulstreets, in the suburbs of a city, stood alarge old-fashioned brick house. The house,which was a double one, had large squaredoors, with brass knockers, and porches supported by columns. In the garden, back of thehouse, flowers bloomed in reckless profusion,and the lawn, with its smooth turf and rusticseats, was very tempting to the casual passerby.In this quaint old house, lived two families,who had been devoted friends in childhood.The men, as boys, had hunted, fished, playedball, gone to school together, and done all theother things which boys do, and now they wereinseparable comrades in business. They livedtogether in the double house, much as one family, sharing each others joys and sorrows, bothgreat and small.In front of one of the large rose-coveredwindows, placed close enough to catch the delicate odor of the flowers, daily lay the littledaughter of one of the friends. She was a delicate fragile-looking child of about eight years,and the pet and darling of the household. Thewind, as it blew back the dainty curtains whichscreened the window, stirred the golden curls,which lay upon a pillow scarcely whiter thanthe little face upon it. Her eyes were of thatdeep ethereal blue, and usually had a thoughtful, dreamy look in their depths. Her delicatelittle blue-veined hand, rested upon the coverlet, and she lay languidly, as though the slightest exertion tired her. Here she was compelledto lie, day after day, for little Ellen, as shewas called, was a hopeless cripple. When shewas a mere infant, a careless nurse had let herfall, injuring her spine, thus condemning herto a life of inactivity. Specialists had failed tocure her, although her loving parents had takenher to some of the best to be found, and theirone thought now, was to make her life as happyas possible during the short time she might bespared to them.In spite of all this, little Ellen was neverheard to repine or complain. Although hersuffering was severe, yet she bore it with apatience that was touching in the extreme, andshe was dearly beloved by all who knew her.Many people on their way to work stopped atlittle Ellens window to bring her a gift offruit or flowers. One old man in particularalways stopped to receive her cheery smile andpleasant, Good morning, Mr. Murray. Howare you this morning? Indeed there werevery few who would not have sacrificed almostanything to bring happiness to Ellen.The other family had a little boy of aboutthe same age, who was the constant playmateand companion of Ellen. He wTas a mischievous little fellow, with dark laughing eyesand rosy cheeks, and so active that he couldhardly be still for five minutes at a time. Mostof his spare moments were spent at Ellensside, whom he loved with the devotion of abrother. As soon as he was up in the morning, he raced to her rooms attempting to startleher by bursting in suddenly, and then demanding, Didnt I scare you, Ellen?
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/34912
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

Further information on this record can be found at its source.