I have seen Indians eighty years of age who never saw a loaf of bread, or a cake, or a pie. When my wife and I went out there we lived as they did; we lived on fish twenty-one times a week for months together, and for weeks together we did not average two good meals a day. For years we did not begin to live as well as the thieves and murderers in the penitentiaries of Great Britain and America. But it was a blest work, and we were happy in it. (Text.)
(1350)
Hardship Overcome—See [College or Experience].
HARDSHIP VICARIOUSLY BORNE
More than eighty years ago a fierce war raged in India between the English and Tipu Sahib. On one occasion several English officers were taken prisoners. Among them was one named Baird. One day the native officer brought in fetters to be put upon each of the prisoners, the wounded not excepted. Baird had been severely wounded and was suffering from pain and weakness.
A gray-haired officer said to the native official, “You do not think of putting chains upon that wounded man?”
“There are just as many pairs of fetters as there are prisoners,” was the answer, “and every pair must be worn.”
“Then,” said the noble officer, “put two pairs on me. I will wear his as well as my own.” This was done. Strange to say. Baird lived to regain his freedom, and lived to take that city; but his noble, unselfish friend died in prison.
Up to his death, he wore two pairs of fetters. But what if he had worn the fetters of all the prisoners? What if, instead of being a captive himself, he had quitted a glorious palace, to live in their loathsome dungeon, to wear their chains, to bear their stripes, to suffer and die for them, that they might go free, and free forever? (Text.)—Sophie Bronson Titterington.
(1351)