There was something about him that strongly attracted the boys in the neighborhood, and he usually had three or four of them around him and often a dozen, late in the afternoon, when the schools were out.  As Tom had entered a new world,—­the world of books,—­and was interested in all he found there, the subjects on which he talked with the boys who sought his company were always instructive.  There, was no nonsense about the cripple:  suffering of body and mind had long ago made him serious; and all nonsense, or low, sensual talk, to which boys are sometimes addicted, found no encouragement in his presence.  His influence over these boys was therefore of the best kind.  The parents of some of the children, when they found their sons going so often to the house of Tom Hicks, felt doubts as to the safety of such intimate intercourse with the cripple, towards whom few were prepossessed, as he bore in the village the reputation of being ill-tempered and depraved, and questioned them very closely in regard to the nature of their intercourse.  The report of these boys took their parents by surprise; but, on investigation, it proved to be true, and Tom’s character soon rose in the public estimation.

Then came, as a natural consequence, inquiry as to the cause of such a change in the unfortunate lad; and the neighbor of the sick man who had instructed Tom told the story of Mr. Croft’s agency in the matter.  This interested the whole town in both the cripple and his bedridden instructor.  The people were taken by surprise at such a notable interest of the great good which may sometimes be done where the means look discouragingly small.  Mr. Croft was praised for his generous conduct, and not only praised, but helped by many who had, until now, felt indifferent, towards his case—­for his good work rebuked them for neglected opportunities.

The cripple’s eagerness to learn, and rapid progress under the most limited advantages, becoming generally known, a gentleman, whose son had been one of Tom’s visitors, and who had grown to be a better boy under his influence, offered to send him in his wagon every day to the school-house, which stood half a mile distant, and have him brought back in the afternoon.

It was the happiest day in Tom’s life when he was helped down from the wagon, and went hobbling into the school-room.

Before leaving home on that morning he had made his way up to the sick room of Mr. Croft.

“I owe it all to you,” he said, as he brought the white, thin hand of his benefactor to his lips.  It was damp with more than a kiss when he laid it back gently on the bed.  “And our Father in heaven will reward you.”

“You have done a good work,” said the neighbor, who had urged Mr. Croft to improve his one talent, as he sat talking with him on that evening about the poor cripple and his opening prospects; “and it will serve you in that day when the record of life is opened.  Not because of the work itself, but for the true charity which prompted the work.  It was begun, I know, in some self-denial, but that self-denial was for another’s good; and because you put away love of ease, and indifference, and forced yourself to do kind offices, seeing that it was right to help others, God will send a heavenly love of doing good into your soul, which always includes a great reward, and is the passport to eternal felicities.