----- ----- 1 T.S.

Art hur 1 - - - - - - - -
T.S. Arthur was a popular 19th century American writer.
His stories, . written with compass ion and sensitivi ty
articulate and spread values and ideas that were associated
with 'respectab le, middle-class' life in America.
In his story, 'An Angel in Disguise' T.S. Arthur describes
the transform ative and restorative power of selfless love. It
relates the advent of Maggie, a frail young orphan into the
lives of wheelwr ight Joe Thompso n and his 'vinegar-
tempered ' wife Jane ... and the miracul_o us effect that the
child's presence has on the woman's character and the
happiness that she brings to her adoptive family.
mother was out of the way; and Mrs. Ellis, who had been
looking out for a bound girl, concluded that it would be
charitable in her to make choice of Katy, even though she
was too young to be of much use for several years.
"I could do much better, I know," said Mrs. Ellis; "but as
no one seems inclined to take her, I must act from a sense of
duty expect to have trouble with the child; for she's an
undisciplined thing-used to having her own way."
But no one said "I'll take Maggie." Pitying glances were
cast on her wan and wasted form and thoughts were troubled
on her account. Mothers .brought cast-off garments and,
remo~ing -he~ soiled and ragged clothes, dressed her in clean
attire. The sad eyes and patient face of the little one touched
many hearts, and even knocked at them for entrance. But
none opened to take her in. Who wanted a bed-- iidden· child?
"Take her to the poorhouse," said a rough man, of whom
the question "What's to be done with Maggie?" was asked.
"Nobody's going to be bothered with her."
"The poorhouse is a sad place for a sick and helpless child,"
answered one.
"For your child or mine," said the other, lightly speaking;
"but for tis brat it will prove a blessed change, she will be
kept clean, have healthy food, and be doctored, which is n1ore
than can be said of her past condition."
There was reason in that, but still it didn't satisfy. The day
following the day of death was made the day of burial. A ~ew
neighbors were at the miserable hovel, but none followed de~d
cart as it bore the unhonored remains to its pauper grave.
Farmer Jones, after the coffin was taken out, placed John in
his wagon and drove aw ay, satisfied that he had done bis
part. Mrs. Ellis spoke to Kate with a hurried air, " Bid your
78
 ood by," and drew the tearful ch ·ict
sister g . . I ren apart ere
· ly their lips had touched 1n a sobbing fa rewe 11 . Hastily.
scarce .
rs went out, some glancing at Maggie and some reso1utely
0 the . '
refraining from a look,. until all had gone. She was aJone! Just
beY and the threshold Joe Thompson,
. , . the wheeJwright
· , paused,
c1nd said to the blacksmith s wife, who was hastening off
with the rest, --
"It's a cruel thing to leave her so."
"Then take her to the poorhouse: she'll have to go there,"
answered the blacksmith's wife, springing away, and leaving
Joe behind. ~"'.,..- r c ~
For a little while the man stood with puzzled air; then !
-
he turned back, and went into the hovel Again. Magg1e with
painful effort, had raised herself to an upright position and
was sitting on the bed, straining her eyes upon the door out
of which all had just departed, A vague terror had come into
her thin white face.
"O, Mr. Thompson!" she cried out, catching her suspended
breath, "don't leave me here~ alone!" ~ ~t _, ""
/l o<I ' " . J .
h Though r~gh ~ -exteri~l Joe Tho~P..~~n, ,the wheelwn~ght,
ad a heart, and it was very tender in some places. He liked
children, and was pleased t~a~e' them c•e to his ~hop,
Where sled sand wagons were made or n1en d ed t·or the v 1U,1ge
~ i'thou t a draft on their hoarded sixpences . .r . i
~ .> W
,, L .1 v)"\ ..; • t11e
1
. ' d ~votLc
o' ct ear, " he answered , in a k 1Il · -.a
,
go1n~:r0
to
)f\ .1, dnd . . uy ' h ' n ' t ~ h::~tt
1 stooping down over tJ1e c hild, ou 5 c1
1Clr t-> dlone ,, The h j h with tllf• g enth:' ne~!:t c1Jn,ust
01 __. · e wrappel e r
n h 1-.., , t r
~ Wo 111 . . ,J1 . > Oi.,' l g vv t
1ll
'\~ h< an, 1n the ch.;> "1n be d c loth~'~ wh•l ~-lHllt. t'\
~ )r o uo } t - . J.. ll '- b~ h'-'t o u
11'1 \ o 1 ; tlnd , lifttn f h t.' r in h1s ~trnng .tic _, :>1
n lhe \t ~ l l ·t·w een the ho vt:
d11d . c. r and L\ C ross thl~ field th.t t •' v x
111s horne

79
 Now , Joe Thm npso n' s wiff', who happ ened to be childl ess
was not a won1an of saint ly /temp er, nor much given to self~
denial for other s' good, and Joe had w ell-gr ound ed doubts
touch ing the mann er of gree ting he shou ld receive on his
arriv a 1. Mrs. Thom pson saw him 1ap~ roac hing from the
wind ow, and with ruffling f~ath ers met him a few paces from
the door, as he open ed the gard en gate, and came in. He bore ,,,..
..._ to'" '
a preci ous b!!,tden, and he {glt jt to., be so. As_his arms held the r
----
_...
sick child to his breast, a sphe re of tende rness went out from
her, and pene trate d his feelings. A bond had alrea dy corded
itself arou nd them both, and love was sprin ging into life.
"Wh at have you there r' sharp ly quest ione~ Mrs. ThomRson
';'I, tv, y MJ.J ; ~ I-' r 'P" I

Joe felt the child start and shrin'f again st H~1}1e did not
reply , exce pt by a look that was E_!ead ing, and cautionary ,
that said, "Wai t a mom ent for expla natio ns, and be gentle;''
and, passi ng in, carried Maggie to the smal l cham ber on the
first floor, and laid her on a bed. Then, stepp ing back, he shut
the door, and stood face to face with his ~ e~ar- tem.perect
wife in the passa ge-w ay outside. ,< )
brat!"
~
Anger and
')
"You have n't brou ght hom e that sick
aston ishment were in the tones of Mrs. Joe Thompson; her
face was in a flame . __) , 1 .,,. \ .-~ ·1 r
" I think wom en' s heart s are some times ven h;uJ · sa.~
Joe. Usua lly Joe Thompson got out-of his
-hi..fe' s way \."r i--t:1~-~

nvdt y silen t and non-comba hve when she fired up 1.'n .u,\
1

subj(><. t; it wa~ with some surpr ise, th~refore th .it :;hc '""
' ""'

I
t ..n< oun h·n-O d hrrnl y-Sl1 t t oun lt)H,u11. t> crnd d rt~\..,tutt.:) pJn 1.'; ~\.-

" \l\' cHnt>n''> lH ·d r h Jrv not h ,\ll ..,l) h .trd ~"- mt)n ~'

Jo~ ~<.l\A,, , bv « qul\ ~ 1nt u 1ltllll, th.,t tu, rh\)lu tt> h.:. ,l n.n:: ft."".
1

• n-\:l-
imp r<..)5~t--d tw, V'tlh• Jl\d lh> ,Uh \\ c'h'\.l '-lUh' k.h ~u1-.i \\ lUl '

~o
 11

,~r"anon, Be that as H mav e

lf1 dl~ , , verv ~·
--..:. . r.;J"( her eves sieadih from the k. . ornan iJ! the ntner -
nw~"" .. s1e ch1ld' s f ' G1
u..~ cart went off with her dead m ..i._ ~ , a..'1-rl wre-;
up;, _ · Ou u:r, hlJJTled .
1

left her alone m. that o1d hut, with the i¼Y'ta) , a:~
" sun not an hour :.r ~
sb·,
,,, -
//\V!herP "·ere John and Kate-Y' asked \frs Th
• • i ompson.
"Farmer Jones tossed John mto his wagon, and dr ,
O\e 0 ..4,
Katie \vent home with !\.1rs. Ellis; but nobodv wanted th
., e
poor sick one. 'Send her to the poorhouse,' was the cry."
"\Vhy didn ' t yo u let her go, then. \\nat did you bring her
here for?"'
"She can' t walk to the poorhouse," said Joe; "somebody's
arms mus t carry her, and mme are strong enough for that
task ."
.
"Then "'A'h ) ' didn' t you keep on 7 \.Vhy did you stop here.?'' ..
(J (1.£.
demanded the wife . 1' w ~,.,. h! .. !,,
,., c
r---.;
., ,,., ds The Guardians
" Becau~ I' m not apt~go on foo~ e~~ ·
must first be seen, and a permit ob~ed.
. this ,,,,. 1 i,JJ
There was no gainsaymg ·· ·th
. -Y' w as asked, w1
" When will you see the Gua rdians ·
irrepressible impatience.
"T o-m.orrow ." ·t
nee for the pern11
- ,,,.._,,_ . . ov.1? Go at O ,,
,v ny put it off till to-morr ds to-nighl
anct get the whole thing off of your hart . ressiveness of
,, . ht with an 1II1P . the Bible
Jane/ ' said the wheel·wng ' if 1 read 11111 , the
ton d his w e, . }-!o\-\
e that gTeatly s u bdue t little chiJdteil-_ u,e111:
so ·d aboU ,v-e1ve
rneti.mes, and find much sai ·ould not rc'-
Sa · . l v-'ho w
Vio r rebuked th e d isn p es
81
~
n.:,1.- l t'C'." \""'
1-. .. ~ - , 1
~
th..:,,n,
· ~
ur in hts d.rrns
~1nJ blessed thetn ; tln,~ h
,l o,v
,:'~ Sdl.,1.. th :i t ,,·h\.,,~ ,~~r g ,\ \ -t> then1 c:'\'en d cup of cold ,,._.,.,,,
..l ~ ..... U H~l"
~ lj ,t ~•) \lnn?,v<'lflied . No,v. it is c1 sn1c1U thing for us
s.. .0u n'- ~-- tD
k.~r ttus ~"~r n1\...,therles.s bttlt' c,ne for a singlt? night; to ~
krn"t tc her ft,r ~1 single ntght; to n1ake her ltfe con,fo rtdble for
a ~mgt~ rught.'
~ ,·ol\."e of the strong, rough n-\an shook and he turned
~ head a,,·ay. so that the 01.oistur e in his eyes n1ight not be
~ n. \ I.rs. Thomps on did not ansvver , but a soft feeling crept
mto her heart.
· Look at her kindlY, Jane; speak to her kindly," said Joe.
~Thmk of her dead mother, and the loneline ss, the pain, the
sorro,v that m ust be on all her coming life." The softness of
his heart gave unwont ed eloquen ce to his lips.

~1rs. Thonlps on did not reply, but present ly turned to\-vards

the little chambe r where her husban d had deposit ed Maggie;
and, pushing open the door, went quietly in. Joe did not
follov.•; he saw that, her state had change d, and felt that it
\~·ould be best to leave her alone with the child. So he went to
his shop, which stood near the house, and worked until dusky
evening released him from labor. A light shining through the
little chambe r window s was the first object that attracted
Joe's attention on turning towards the house: it was a good
omen. The path led him by this window s and, when opposite,
he could not help pausing to look in. It was now d ark enough
outside to screen him from observ ation. Maggie lay, a little
ratSed on the pillow with the lamp shining full upon her fclce.
M rs. Thomps on was sitting by the bed, talking to the child·
b ut he r ba ck was toward s th e vvi n dow , so thctt he r
(O Untenanca ·
~ was not seen . From Maggie ' s face, th~re ,·Of..,
... ,
jlll'

8)
 ust read th e characte
irt . r of th eir .
,,es .
e, were in te n tly fixed u p on ru·in te rcou rs e H
s ...;c.....
, \'\,o rd s c a m e, as
d.! ~~ - ~•- e sa~.- ~ ;i,.:. ,
fe ,.. if in ans--u,e . fr , ~.~
expression w a s sa d rs om h' Tl t no '¼ ·
_ a:n c. b =- _
a n d te n d er ; bu <C , c.
.
bitterness or p am . A d er lips; &~1 he::
t h e sa,,,. n
ee p -d ra w n breath . . i · •
.
of relief, as a w e ig h t . . . Oth?tg (':
li ft ed it se lf fr om his \\ as fo llo"·ed 1
h ea rt ' '- ~\ ~
•

On e n te ri n ~ Jo e
d id n o t o 0 i~,....,e,.;~
b -te . ,
chamber. H is h e av y 1'" ro ~ o • :_· -
.L U. Ul l \..U Q
tr ea d ab o u t
somewhat h u rr ie d ly
the kitchen b:.c:.:&.: h~
fr o m th e ro om ,vhere
~-~~:
Maggie. Joe th o u g h
t it b es t n ot to re.fer
she had
bee-; \•,:;_

manifes t any co n ce rn to the child. n~:- -~

in re g ar d to her.
"H ow so o n w il l su
p p er b e ready ?" he as
ked .
"R ig h t so o n ," an sw
er ed Nlrs . Thomp son,
bustle ab o u t. T h er e w ·: :- ~ c ±.§; ::-
as no asperity in her
Yoice.
After w as h in o fr o m
h is h an d s an d face
of w o rk, Joe left th
b the cust c::-.J. s.0i.
e kitchen, and ,,· ent
A pair of la rg e b ri g h to the little r€C.T- \..X'!'.."-
t eyes looked up at hi
be d; lo o k ed at h im m from th~ s:r:o,\~-
te n d er ly, gratefully , pl
heart sw el le d in h eading~-- d 0 w ;-· ,
.
is b o so m! \\11th ,,·h at · ·1,er mouon ( ef fit '
th e h ea rt -b ea ts ! Joe a qm u-.
sa
. .
exan u n m g th e th in
t d o,\- n, an d n o,,· , fo th 2
· .
r ~~
d r th? l.:I.1f t ~--~
1
~~~
fr am e ca retu ll: un e
sa w th at it "'' as a
.
. - -
n a tt ra cbYe la ce , d fu ll 0 r. 3 _,.., ;•..1 0-•-,- ·"'·
1. . .

sw ee tn es s w h ic h su an . ., ,~-2
ffer in o h ad no t ~ l'le t0 0r::,er ...
b a , • ,·
"Y o u r n am e is N1a l -a t u.
'
0''.,_' Jr. ~, '- '-' ~
. ..
gg ie r~he sa id, as 12
~-
her soft li ttle h a n d in
h is.
''Y ~{ t~, .: :...,\,·
es , si r. " H er vo ic e ' chord th.3t qu1\·c, • .
Str . st rn c.r-.. a
ain of m u si c.
'' H
av e y o u b ee n si ck
lo ng Y '
''\ .1 ner tof<2 ~
1es , sir. " \V h at a sv ;e ti2n( 2 , , .v,-.: tn
et pa
'' u ~·
11 as
th e d o ct o r be en to \'O ll '
~ee ·
 "He used to con1t "·"
''But not lately?''

"No, sir."
"Have you any pain?''
,,
"Sornetin1es, but not now •
"When had you pain?"
"This morning my side ached, and my bar k hurl whetn
you carried n1e."
"It hurts you to be lifted or moved about?"
"Yes, sir."
"Your side doesn't ache now?"
"No, sir."
"Does it ache a great deal?"
"Yes, sir; but it hasn't ached any since I've been on this
soft bed."
1.- X , ,
"The soft bed feels good."
"O, yes, sir-so good!" What a satisfaction, mingleq with
gratitude, was in her voice! ..-

"Supper is ready," said Mrs. Thompson, looking into th e

room a little while afterwards.
Joe glanced from his wife's face to tha t of Maggie; she
understood him, and answered I __ J.. "" \,,., f f\.
_..,✓ l

"She can wa ·1·t ·untL·1 we are do ne; thpn l w a·11 b 1•1ri'·, r, her,
. r~1.t..~.., on tht
somethings lo oat
\; ·
II
_
T'here was an etfort yt 1n. d 1fft'
part of Mrs. Thoo1pson, but her husl'Mnd ha~i seen her through
the window d '1.JJned-
' an understood that the cokiness was " 55
Joe waited, after sitting down to the table, fot h is wife to

84
 ( .
I1Ii '• ' tlte tH1h,t•c 'I 11pp,•rn1c mt ln 1,011 1
1

111 0 th,· 1r I h
Il'I "1 1 , for n °L,ghtri; hut
.1, rd lc·n l n11 fh111 lho n," . 11111 Y m11 1uu :,,
,hr' ,, vl', At ln,11 11fi, , IMid ll 1Jp1iy, d_, Mld
I , h,,
,i ' 11,i.wd u 111-., · l'l'll l•l' · , ,I
11u11I!
rhlld?"
,, Whn t 111'1• yo u 1•.oh 1'. lo do wIth lha1
1

1 tho ui: ht yo u 11nd,,r~i loo<1 nu1 th,ll

h ,
11
1 1
, le , ~ q lo Ih
, wqtiU<•1
,h,.r
riH f'd "I tio~ . ,,
1•ot1l'h•II, ~I'," r, 'P lll'd .Io1•, ilfl j( Nu rp
·•t h h
Ml'N. 'l'h cH) ) p so n loo kP d ru t·hf r fi tr.tn<>c•ly A ()r ur>band
1

', f'Y<'
orn ,•nts, ll1<•n dro pp ed hPr ',, . Tlw subJ"<'I
lor sonil' 111 1111d

W,IS 1101 nguln rf>fr•rr !'d to Ju

rln e th!' meal, At it., close>, Mrs
tened it wit h mJlk
Thomp,mn LoasLt' d a -~lie(' of brc•ad, and sof
, she took them ; to
und hu ll,'l 'i ud dln g lo this a cu p of ll'a 0
iti1 ciy'sh e had placed
Mni~g lP, nnd he ld lhe> sm a ll waiter, on
ry sign of pleasure.
1h,•m, while> the hungr_y child ate with eve
" Is ii. go od ?" asked Mrs. Thompson,
seeing with what a
kee n relish the food wa s taken.
-'- ( 1v ·
d, and answered
The child 15:i;~e~i tl f the cup in her han
ne ~ Jife__old human
with a loo k of gra titu de tha t awoke to
f'.::ll~ s- Which ha d been f um ber ing !::
her !!;a rt for ~ •,,- , .::
srnre of yea rs. ~ J sf . · 'J
11
ger; she is so weak and
- "We' 11 kee p he r a da y or two l.on
wer to her husband,s
helpless," sai d Mrs. Joe Th om pso n, in ans
that he mu St
rem ark, at bre a kfast-tim e on the nex t morning,
st r abo~t Ma ggie
ep do wn an d see the Gu ard ian s of the Poo
1
"She'll be so mu ch in yo ur way," said Joe
1 • Poor th ing'"
" sha ' n' t mi nd tha t for a day or two
J ian s of t , on
·h e p00r on tha.t J,.1ytJwni
oe .
did no t see the Gu ard
1110 n0
I f ·t h,• n,,ver·~sowl\lrs. Jo,•
XI, no r on the da y following . n d( '
d i c\fl o
11 M .' . . I . th,l n d W t'=' , her ,»vn
'l'I1 agg1e s acc ou nl, fo, 1n <·s~
, of ldKlJlf~
t h uut,!)t
UJ
1 0t) .
)r son Wo u Id as soo n le,, ve
ll )oJ p 111
· . M , 0 t(' therl'.
lhp a ln\ s h o usp as se nd tng 'LP
1

65
 What light and blessi ng did that sick and helpless child
bring to the home of Joe Thom pson , the poor wheel wrigh t! It
had been dark, and cold, and miser able there for a long time
just because his wife had nothi ng to love and care for out of
herself, and so became sore, irritable, ill-tem pered, and self-
afflicting in the desola tion of her woma n's nature. Now the
sweet ness of that sick child, looki ng ever to her in love I

patience, and gratit ude, was as honey to her soul, and she
carrie d her in her heart as well as in her arms, a precious
burde n. As for Joe Thompson, there was not a man in all the
\
neigh borho od who drank daily of a more precio us wine of
life than he. An angel had come into his house , disgui sed as a
. sick, helple ss, and miser able child, and filled all its dreary
chamb ers with the sunsh ine of love.