Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-05-28

declared that he would never be a burden tc
any woman, if one could be found generous
enough to marry the blind fiddler.
About two years had passed. and Walter was
between eighteen and nineteen, while Alice
was a pretty girl of fifteen. The blind youth
had learned to read andt write. lie had made
remarka Bile progress too in music, and began
to be asked to 20 to balls, and even concerts.
| lie had a beautiful collection of vons, once
the idols of the poor Italian, and this was great
! ly in his favor. One afternoon he was playing
some exquisite pice of Italian music TO a silent
crowd, when youth about his own age, in the
dress OF nldshipman, pushed forward, and
stood with blank and astonshed air gazing
at him. Presently Walter finished; and the
crowd, after showerng halfpence upon him,
moved away. But the midshpman remained.
Walter Arnott !! exclaimed he in tones Of
deep astonishmcnt.
'Ah, Frank Prescott cried the blind youth
with great satisfaction. is that you? How
! kind to notice me now y
Notice you now What the son OF the
| former captain of ou7 ship! Good Heaven,
this is shameful-ths is dreadful!'
Not at all: | am very happy--[ could not
be more so, replied Walter, gently.
Nonsense YOU could and shall Just put
your fiddle under yonr arm, and come ani dine
with me at the Grrvhound No deuial.
must tell you my story, and you must tell me
yours. ] wanted friend in Greenwich; I've
found one
Walter could not resist such hearty kindness
and after bargaining that they should call at
his home. that he might leave his fiddle, and
have thus an excuse for explaining his depar-
ture from his post, they walked arm-in-arm mp
the town. A hearty greeting did the MILDLY
get from every sailor and invalid he met. Ev-
cry Gnc was pleased to see the blind fiddler TAX
en- notice of, and Alice was quite proud whcu
handing her his violin, Walter told where he
was going. The MILDLY ordered very good
dinner after which he informed the young mp-
sician that he had an uncle in Greenwich who-s
daughter he was very much in love with that
| being poor, with very small prospects, he con-
ccaled his affection from his uncle, who wish
ed his cousin Gertrude to marry some one her
equal in point of fortune TO Gertrude lie had
not spoken disllucty-he was too young for
that but he was sure she responded to his af-
iec'ion. lie was now, however, about to leave
England on three years cruise, and he was
/ in a state of great uneasiness of mind. lie
knew not what might happen in the interval
/ lie could not write to the young lady, "a he
! knew she would decline carrying on a clandes-
I tine spondenCe-and he loved her the
more for her delicacy. But still lie wanted
some friend to give him news OF her, and her
news of him. Blind Walter volunteered to do
/ this by the hand Of Alice, if he could at any
time pick up intelligence of interest. But
/ Frank Prescott had better plan than that
he wonld get his uncle and cousin to patronizc
him: next evening there was to be quiet
dance, and he must come and play. And
4 g, IL.
/ pleasant as it otherwise would have been
| The blind mu-ician entered into the sprt OF
he affair; played "a long aud as often a. they
! liked was general favorte with the ladies'
especially with Gertrude Prescott and pleased
everybody so much with his playing, that he
henceiorIh found his engagements mu tiply.
From that day lie abandoned his station in
| the street; he played at evening parties, he
gave lessons, and all without neglecting his
education or that Of Alice. during the stay of
Frank Prescott the young people were INSOFAR.
able; the midshpman was delighted with his
old acquaintance, and they parted attached
friends.
Blind Walter actually loved Frank, for with
him kindness was irresistible. There are ma
tures which cannot resist the influence of aioc-
ton, who viii love person who gives them
flower, Il word, look: and Na'er was one OF
those. II N Frank was zone, hc transferred
hIs affections to Franks future wife, without
forgetting his dear Alice. Miss Prescott came
often to see them; and when she found the
glrl was good Italian scholar, asked her hOUlr,
ana took lessons of her. Proud indeed was
Alice of her having studied and read, for Wal
ter was pleased, and she found Il sincere friend
IN Gertrude
Things went on in this way for nearly two
years, when Gertrude reached the are Of twCn-
| ". SutOrs now came round in earnest. and
| Mr.. Prescott desircl Gertrude to choose among
| the several competitors. But she could not
mike up her mind she said-not daring to
avow her affection for Frank. But her father
insisted, and himself selected a Mr.. Charles
Williams, a rising young harriSter with bril-
| liant prospects. One evening Gertrude was
very unhappy. Alice was b, her side, and
! Blind Walter was hourly expected. Miss Pres
colt was very duh and low-splltcd and no
thing her hunble friend could do could rouse
| her.
Nhat is the matter: asked Alice, earnestly,
after valnly cndeayorng to get Oh with her
! Italian lesson.
Papa insists upon my receiving thc address
Sos of Mr. Charles Williams. He Is going to
ask hlm to dinner on Monday next. " hat am
to do =
But, my dear Miss Prescott sud Alice
cIrncstly, why not avow your affection loi
your cousin Frank
because my father long ago forbade me tc
think Of him. Frank has nothing but his pro-
tesslon, which is not lucrative enough to please
my dear papa
i don't know what to advise | wish Wal
ter were here he would tell us'
At THIS very instant the door opened, anC
the servant announced, in loud voice, Isl
Walter Arnott,
They rose astoundcd, and in walked Bin,
Walter, LEAVING at the door ii servant in rlcl
livery, who had led him up. lie was fashion
ably dressed, but his smile as gentle anC
sweet as ever. He advanced to Sofa tool
the hands Of his two friends, and sat down be
tween them. Ills story was very brief. Sever
lives which stood between his father and {
barunolcy Of -2J,0OO "A year had all lapSrd
save one, long ago and about SIX months pre-
ylousy the last survivor, a descendant o. hI
; granliather's eldest brother, had died wthou
issue and lntcstato. \ week before thpt eve
nlng the solicitor traced Blind Walter as th
next Of kin. lie had kept his secret until al
tN a