This incident is from a source not identified:
A few days ago I was passing through a pretty, shady street,
where some boys were playing at baseball. Among their number was
a little lame fellow, seemingly about twelve years old--a pale,
sickly-looking child, supported on two crutches, who evidently
found much difficulty in walking, even with such assistance.
The lame boy wished to join the game, for he did not seem to see
how his infirmity would be in his own way, and how much it would
hinder the progress of such an active sport as baseball.
His companions, very good naturedly, tried to persuade him to
stand at one side and let another take his place; and I was glad
to notice that none of them hinted that he would be in the way,
but that they all objected for fear he would hurt himself.
“Why, Jimmy,” said one of them at last, “you can’t run, you
know.”
“Oh, hush!” said another--the tallest in the party; “never
mind, I’ll run for him,” and he took his place by Jimmy’s side,
prepared to act. “If you were like him,” he said, aside to the
other boy, “you wouldn’t want to be told of it all the time.”
As I passed on I thought to myself, “That boy is a true
gentleman.”
(557)
See KINDNESS; SERVICE, INTERESTED.
=Consideration for Others=--See OTHERS, CONSIDERATION FOR.
=Consideration for Weakness=--See WEAKNESS, CONSIDERATION FOR.