CHAPTER II.
FRITZ DEAD, YET LIVES.
The next day, after the children had finished their lessons, Mrs. Payson said, "I will tell you a little story, showing how a child can do much good.
"Many years ago, I knew a little boy who could not walk. His nurse let him fall, when he was a baby, and hurt his back, so that he grew out of shape, and could not stand on his feet.
"The little boy's name was Fritz Ritter. His parents lived in a pleasant home, and did all they could to make their darling lame boy happy.
"They taught him to read, and write, and to draw pictures.
"But Fritz said, 'That is not enough. I have dear friends, who do every thing for me. Now, I must do something too.'
"His father kept a man to draw him about in a little wagon; so Fritz knew all the streets in town, and visited the machine-shops and mills to see how things are made. Almost every one looked kindly on his sweet, pale face, and wherever he went the people would talk with him and show him what he wished to see.
"As he rode about the city he saw many poor houses, and hungry and ragged children.