Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-01-30
usual; but alas day after day passed on
without its getting any better


was one continued torture to her; and o:ten
when she tried TO ply her bobbins, and earn
scanty meal for her father and little
brother, the pain became SO great, that she
would lay her head upon the cushion, and
wish ii were pillowed by her mo,er's side
IN the silent grave.
Sometimes her father, to whom she had
never told her sufferines, would ask for his
iavoflte song; and the gentle child, sup
pressing her own grief, would sing the fatal
couplet which had cost her so much whist
the blind father, listening in delighted a,Imi-
ration, would say he had never heard nny
voice like hers, and bless his dear, good
chld.' These were some of her happiest
moments; but oh, that was a sad sad winter
for poor Veronica.
In these mountainous districts, il is a
common thing for single school to contain
from 100 TO $50 children, taught by single
master. 1t is not, therefore, to be wondered
at If he should frequently prove unacquain,-
ed with the peculiar capabilities OF each OF
his pupils, unless some chance circumstance
should lead 10 the discovery.
Is it possible that your hand is not yet
healed:' asked NJ. Rossel, the school. mas.
ter OF the parish, and leader of the village
choir, as he gently laid his hand upon the
arm Of his pupil, Veronica Madei. 1t is
now three weeks since you have been able
10 write. Let me see-want have you ap.
| piled to the burn?
| Some leaves Of the vest-harrow,' she re
piled, unfasieEing the bandage which con-
/ fined il. The knd-hearted school master
was shocked when he saw the inhamed state
OF the wound, and being skilled in the sci
ence of healing herbs, undertook himself 10
/ conduct its cure.
BY degrees he ELECTED from his young pu-
| pill an account of the way in which it had
been inflicted on her, aud exclaimed indig-
! dainty, What monster thus to insult n
poor child singing her Christmas carol. But
come, my child, let me hear this song, for
am very fond Of music, aud that is the rea-
/ sun "dS 81 duAlUuS lOE lIlC OllCt vi ctdDl-
! err
| Veronica was half afraid of singing before
50 great parsonage; but lie was 50 kind,
! she could not refuse. AT first her voice
trembled but it gained strength aud sweet
ness as she proceeded and when she paused
the good master could not refrain from en-
hr1r Intr h..rI IN rant nf h,.iI Iu and
claiming, Who taught you, my child, to
sing thus"
Nobody replied the child : / only sing
to amuse my poor blind father: it is his great
est pleasute, and ii costs nothing
But the melody-the melody and this
method-how did you learn that =
Veronica looked perpexed at last, thinking
she had caught the masters meaning, she ex-
claimed, Oh, | often heard some Of our miners
singing this little air
MY child replied the chanter, after few
moments of meditation, this red-hot kreutzer,
which has prevented you from making yonr
lace, and has caused you so much misery, has
been the means of discovering precious gift
with which you are endowed, and which will
I trust, enable you to provide amply for your
/ fathers wants during the remainder of his
days. | will myself teach you 10 use this gift
and shall feel well paid if | am permitted here
after TO see you make noble use of it,
From that day forward the good Rossel gave
Veronica constant lessons in singing, and in.
structed her in all the rules of the art he also
interested several benevolent persons in the
case of the blind slater, 50 that his wants anC
those of his family were well provided for.
Twelve years had passed away since that
| Christmas eve which had been SO full of sad
ness TO the little Veronica. 1t was a fine au
tumn evening, and all the citizens of Subery
were 10 be seen Fastening en- grande toilette Il
the Hotel de Vile, where ali enjoyment await
them of which the inhabitants of this SECLUDED
spot had not often been permitted 10 partake
The first cantatrice of the capital. who enjoyed
European reputation, was on this day TO give
a concert in the town, assisted BY her brother
Listeners came from ten leagues around, ant
the ticket Office was thronged with yet NOR,
joyful alacrity when it became known that tn,
generous cantatrice destined the profits of th'
concert for the poor of Subery.
At the entrance of the concert-room stoo,
the old chanter and school-master, Rossel, wh'
filled the Office of cash keeper. He smile,
with delight as the money flowed into the box
and each time that the purchaser Of The ticke
chanced 10 be an old acquaintance, the goo
man drew from his pocket golden snuf1-box
and offering him pinch Of the best Virginia
whispered confdentially, but so that the worn
could hear, : 1t is the gift of grateful pupil
see that is engraven on the lid and when
received it, it was filled with goldn
Then whilst the visitor was expressing hi
, admiration of the gift, the old man would has
tly draw handsome gold repeater from his fob
and exclaim, She gave me this, too. Now
, if YOU want to know the exact hour'-And wit
| the innocent delight of child who has just re
ceived new toy, he would make the repeate
strike.
Is it not true, good Master Chanter,' said
new arrival, that this is very triumphant da
for your
l Yes, indeed it is; and for the town of Su
, berry, too. She is my pupil, and she was Dor
within its walls. May the Almighty spare m
! to the close of this day, and then am ready t
I ' depart in peace ~"