My hat 's stoppin ' up the winder , and my old coat is my bed-cover . I 'm awful shabby , ma'am , and that 's one reason I do n't go out more . I can hobble some , but I ai n't got used to bein ' a scarecrow yet , '' and Joe glanced from the hose without heels that hung on the line to the ragged suit he wore , with a resigned expression that made me long to rush out and buy up half the contents of Oak Hall on the spot . Curbing this wild impulse I presently departed with promises of speedy transportation for Joe , and unlimited oranges to assuage the pangs of parting for the young Flanagins , who escorted me to the door , while Joe waved the baby like a triumphal banner till I got round the corner . There was such a beautiful absence of red tape about the new institution that it only needed a word in the right ear to set things going ; and then , with a long pull , a strong pull , and a pull all together , Joe Collins was taken up and safely landed in the Home he so much needed and so well deserved . A happier man or a more grateful one it would be hard to find , and if a visitor wants an enthusiastic guide about the place , Joe is the one to take , for all is comfort , sunshine , and good-will to him ; and he unconsciously shows how great the need of this refuge is , as he hobbles about on his lame feet , pointing out its beauties , conveniences , and delights with his one arm , while his face shines , and his voice quavers a little as he says gratefully , -- `` The State do n't forget us , you see , and this is a Home wuth havin ' . Long life to it ! '' WHAT THE BELLS SAW AND SAID -LSB- Written in 1867 . -RSB- `` Bells ring others to church , but go not in themselves . '' No one saw the spirits of the bells up there in the old steeple at midnight on Christmas Eve . Six quaint figures , each wrapped in a shadowy cloak and wearing a bell-shaped cap . All were gray-headed , for they were among the oldest bell-spirits of the city , and `` the light of other days '' shone in their thoughtful eyes . Silently they sat , looking down on the snow-covered roofs glittering in the moonlight , and the quiet streets deserted by all but the watchmen on their chilly rounds , and such poor souls as wandered shelterless in the winter night . Presently one of the spirits said , in a tone , which , low as it was , filled the belfry with reverberating echoes , -- `` Well , brothers , are your reports ready of the year that now lies dying ? '' All bowed their heads , and one of the oldest answered in a sonorous voice : -- `` My report is n't all I could wish . You know I look down on the commercial part of our city and have fine opportunities for seeing what goes on there . It 's my business to watch the business men , and upon my word I 'm heartily ashamed of them sometimes . During the war they did nobly , giving their time and money , their sons and selves to the good cause , and I was proud of them . But now too many of them have fallen back into the old ways , and their motto seems to be , ` Every one for himself , and the devil take the hindmost . ' Cheating , lying and stealing are hard words , and I do n't mean to apply them to all who swarm about below there like ants on an ant-hill -- they have other names for these things , but I 'm old-fashioned and use plain words .
There 's a deal too much dishonesty in the world , and business XXXXX to have become a game of hazard in which luck , not labor , wins the prize .
SAW assuage find hobbles lying said sat seems shines shows