Her mother and sister come by turns to take
care of her. She cannot help herself in any way, but is as
completely dependent as an infant. The blacksmith and his
wife gave her the best room in their house, have ever since
ministered to her as to a child of their own, and, when people
pity them for having to bear such a burthen, they say, "It is
none, but a blessing."
'Melissa suffers all the time, and great pain. She cannot
amuse or employ herself in any way, and all these years has
been as dependent on others for new thoughts, as for daily
cares. Yet her mind has deepened, and her character refined,
under those stern teachers, Pain and Gratitude, till she has
become the patron saint of the village, and the muse of
the village school-mistress. She has a peculiar aversion to
egotism, and could not bear to have her mother enlarge upon
her sufferings.
'"Perhaps it will pain the lady to hear that," said the mild,
religious sufferer, who had borne all without a complaint.
"Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." The poor are the
generous: the injured, the patient and loving.
All that ---- said of this girl was in perfect harmony with
what De Maistre says of the saint of St.
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