Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-01-24

UhoSl imminent. ana with trembling hand q
rectcd the fire engines towards the spots whc
he flame ragged with the iercest vchcmcncc.-
o The great heat, the sparks which flow urour
~ him on every side, and the glowing flame whc
n dazzIed his eyes, caused him intense suffering
q but he and his brave companions persevere
and the fire was cxtinruishcd.
d From that night, however, he became iab
TO continual inf ,maton Of the eyes and in 81
months Master Made had entirely lost the us
of his sight.
will not attempt to describe the angus
t winch filled the poor mans heart when he toun
that, so far from being able cImaiutlin his fam
~ by the labor of his hands, he must hencefor
De dependent on them for his support lie fount
however, a faithful and tender guide in the littl
, Veronica; and Dame Madtl, instead of civin
way to vain repinings, chcerfullv did her best t
supply his place, by laboring more diligent
tNan ever. Veronica assisted her mother t3 In
best of her ability and shared her tolls when
ever her father did not stand in need Of her arm
TO guide his steps.
A year thus glided on, and at It's close left tn
Ii'tlr group patient and resigned under thei
trials; bu' soon the good mother. worn out b,
tX'lilons yond her strength, brca he'd her las
in the arms of her little daughter, exporting
her with her latest breath TO b'--wi a. she had
ev'r been-a duuluI and tender enid to the
blind father, who lad now 70 one left to tend
and care for him save her.
1t was Christmas Eve. The moun,ainccr,
sought TO forget the inclemency Of the season in
cheerful recreations which made their heart
r. sound with merr'mon'. It Was their cu>'orn
on TINS evening, to illuminate their housrs
and the streets were early flied with idlers. at
,racled by the brIiancy OF the scene. Ncron
lca had continued to work hard at her lace pil-
low until darkness had closed in nor wonIl
she then have ceased her abors. had NOT no.
cruise of oil failed her and her lalno ey,ircd in
5 socket.
Then only, and much against her will. di!
he berin 10 keen the ho,iI,v vrlicb ,,., -
ally celebrated around her, She fed the Stove
win fresh fuel. placed her blind father in hi
easy chair, and then. dressing her hlile brorbo
as warmly a. Sic could. said to the child
Come Georgcy. we will 90 out and SOP
whether the good Jesus Ina. not somerLin, IN
give u, too, that we may keen the feast ,o-
morrow, like every Lody plsr.'
The TWO children accordincly set forth hand
in hand. Sights and sounds Of rcioicinr mo,
them at every step. Mner, in holiday a,t;r.
wandered through the streets in merry nrouo.
aud paused beneath the windows of the richer
citizens to sing their Chri>tuaS cards Thn
door of the housn :Lus snrar.,l.1 ,,o.or c,l
TO omen hen rl sinro,. oa,.cJ arI ~, n''i'r
~ Ut' ""'" "' 9'' - PiIS'u, ana me leader
va 'hc li''N H'"dhS received rom lie most Il .
II" pieces o. e''"'rnT com III exchange for f.
~, "% """ NJ 2,"' "'H"eS'
NC C"i'''i ~ '"'"N'"9 me example OF their
u'',.S' juno '''"i''l'.' N nue. hndS' ana
C,.- ,.'' ',,',' w. '.'''' "'',' many
90 D." - "''=' ""s'"-'! o-''""et on
''' W. "nn,''''9 o. u..
rf ~ '''"' ''' ''''"--N ny .
li,,I, ,,,.,,o,, ' |,' !, ,'"'i9 "" "'"
G,r L,n t,.,3 ''>'"''' '"'ior''
,"d Jr n,r., ,.I,i,,. '''''' ',''
a,,,rr',,,. "'' '"0'' 0"'! F'''''''" 'o' V''
rr,,,,l, ,,i, r.,.i.... ..,,.
t.r1o ~ VI, ~ "''' ''"'',@ Sei'oh
yaronica ,fr-, ~ ,'' pace;
In,r ,I,i'',, T., ,.' ''"'' ,''o '''""3nt u
rocn-Isc,;9r nr .or hr,nI c.,h'. '"' .'.c
lo rd ra,.i, '"t''' "y''1u "e' It.,
I"r nas,onoJ ,',, t'', , :, ''"9V' "'%""
own where she was least known. fjoIiinc
er little brother b the hand. she nou.oJ bn7
meath the windows of A small rna,. lool,,,.,
house. and. with A beatinC hear, bnt q, ou,e
.reeh voica bor,, thn t,II7v,.,,,, ,..,,.I' P''N'
.c,.,.., o,'...,..
And,blL,', u, l',',' "1' 9e miner il'''
Sui. ,ct y.lr nca,t, with %, b.arno!
-, hihe II iH' nIS"i you. n-ht hand Wieis,
rirn ,'' Lr,,. i'',, ~ SUI H"''S'
-,
Ne ""u' were S'hPP ana unaruStIc, and
}oor f''on'ct vo''' a, 'IS' ,femo'ed so much
"' sue co"'I "'Tu'E aH'c"'a'e 'hem but her
courage rose as She Proceed'd' ana she sang
ne G"o'us NItl d" energy ana expression be-
'o.u .l "c' years
SHe pa"seu ueep sHehce ehsued, and two
ohg minutes eIap'ed-Inlhutes which seemed
o her an age CONFUSED ana Illuminated the
a"u9" o' ner unsuccessful attempt, she was
'oouI To rcure, wien the door opened, aud
"omah lliceG III H'r 'remoIIng hand piece
u CAKE ana tlre@ kreu'z Rs.
veronica heaft oVe'linWed with Joy. Oh
ook' ueorgey she exclaimed. Has not my
Irst aueinpt oeen successful one lon Shall
ave tne kreu'|erS for your share, but the cake
VIII keep Tor poor papa, that he too may know
| Is Christmas. Nho knows bat the good God
nay send US another piece Z!
Cheered by this announcement, the Gt,'e
ongstress went on her way. and many a Lo,r,
vas opened to her, and many "A kreIrZar and
found their way into the pock.