er," said he. "I wish I was
well and strong, like the other boys."

"You don't know what would be best for you, my little Caleb. God leads
you along in his own way through life, and you must go patiently and
pleasantly on, just where he thinks best. You are like blind Samuel,
going through the woods with his father."

"How was that, grandmother?" said he, sitting up, and turning round to
look at her.

"You sit still," said she, gently laying him back again, "and I will
tell you."

"Samuel was a blind boy. He had been away, and was now going home with
his father. His father led him, and he walked along by his side.
Presently, they came to a large brook, and, before they got near it,
they heard it roaring. His father said, 'Samuel, I think there is a
freshet.' 'I think so too,' said Samuel, 'for I hear the water roaring.'
When they came in sight of the stream, his father said, 'Yes, Samuel,
there has been a great freshet, and the bridge is carried away.' 'And
what shall we do now?' said Samuel. 'Why we must go round by the path
through the woods.' 'That will be bad for me,' said Samuel 'But I will
lead you,' said his father, 'all the way; just trust every thing to me.'
'Yes, father,' said Samuel, 'I will.'

"So his father took a string out of his pocket, and gave one end of it
to Samuel. 'There, Samuel,' said he, 'take hold of that, and that will
guide you; and walk directly after me.'"

"How long was the string?" said Caleb.

"O not very long," replied Madam Rachel; "so as just to let him walk a
step or two behind."

"After he had walked on a short distance, he said, 'Father, I wish you
would let me take hold of your hand.' 'But you said,' replied his
father, 'that you would trust every thing to me.' 'So I will, father,'
said Samuel; 'but I do wish you would let me take hold of your hand,
instead of this string.' 'Very well,' said his father, 'you may try
_your_ way.'

"So Samuel came and took hold of his father's hand, and tried to walk
along by his father's side. But the path was narrow; there was not more
than room for one, and though his father walked as far on one side as
possible, yet Samuel had not room enough. The branches scratched his
face, and he stumbled continually upon roots and stones. At length he
said, 'Father, you know best. I will take hold of the string, and walk
behind.'

"So, after that, he was patient and submissive, and followed his father
wherever he led. After a time his father saw