Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1853-12-22
n / S G ID L L A N Y |.
DARKNESS AND LIGHT.
IwRlrrrS ron THE OLIVE IaAxcuA

llNhiEIEN Tyr THE OLIVE ERANCH]
Spch a gloomy rsom as it was You NAV
ssmftime have seen one just like it. The
wallis were dingy. the windows small, the
furniture scanty and shabby. In one GER
ner was . small bed, and Gu it a boy Of a.
beat nine years SO paIlid, Sc emaeiated
that as Ae lay there with his long lashes
sweeping bis pale cheek. GU could scarce
tell # ne were living At the fost of the
bed sat lady whose locks sorrow, net time,
had siltered Her hands were clasped hope
lessly in her lap, and her lips moved as If in
silent prayer.
"Gosd morning, Mrs May" said the dec.
tor, rs he laid aside his geld headed cane,
very PeRpsusly. have but minute to
spare. Gen Clay has another attack Of the
gsat. ana cant get along without ael How's
the boy 2 and he glanced carelesslt at|the
n seems moro than usually feeble, said
the asther dejectedly, IS the doctor exam
euiag in the way of nsurishment,| to set
him On his feet Wine and jeltfds, Mrs.
May that's the thing for him-tAat will
do il Coed msrning, ma'am.'
Mine and jellies said the poor widow
and the tears started to her eyes for. she
remembered SUMMER days, when those now
unattainable luxuries were sent away un-
tasted frsn her well furnished table, reject
ed by capricious appetite; aud She rose
and laid her land, and prisoned the warm
tears meath her closed eyelids
Little Charley vas blihd. Ho had never
seen the face that was bending eyer him !;
but lie knew By the tone Of her VOICE wheth-
err she were glad Or growing and there vxs
heart qaiver in it now, as she said, 'deGr
tati4lt J5y,i tina. made his little hsartlbea
faster and be pressed his pale lips to Ter
hand, as if he ssuld convey al 10 FELT IN
that kiss; for lore and sorro,. hal taught
Charley lesson (many q MS seniors were
moro slew 70 Learnt :, endure silently ratb-
or than add to tb sorrow Of heart So tried
and grief-stricxen. And SO, through these
tedious dsys, and long, wearisOnie nights,
the tl's.a sufferer uttered ne word Of Gem
plant, though the outer and inner werld
vas ell darknsssto him.
Gently, noiselessly yeupg fair girl Elidcd
int the room. She passed to the bedside
the b stepping so lew, that her raven ringlet.
Heated On the pillow, she lightly pressed lei
dsEy lips 10 the blind boys forehead
That's yoar kiss, Lena said be tenderly
I'm SO glad yoa are come : and he threv
his wasted arms about her neck pat yen
face down hero; close, Lena, close Th
dsetor has been here, and mamma though
me sleeping, but / heard all. He said
must have wine aud jellies to make me well
and dear mamma SO peer, teo Oh, ye'
should have heard her sigh SO heavily An,
Lena, though ! cannot see, l was sure he
eyes were trimming, for her rOios had tear
in IL. Nov, Lena, l want you TO tell be
not TO grieye, because Charley Is going I
heaven ] dreamed about i. lastlnight, IL
na. l wasn't blind boy any longer, and
saw such glerisus things
tnen't, don't, Charley said the young CIR
sdbbing. Take ysur arms from my neel
Ysu shall lice, Chsrley,-Jou shall have e,
cry thing you need let me 60, now there
adarling; ! and she tied on her little bel
net, and passed through the dark, mare
court, and gsiasd the street.
Wine and jsllies'-yes, Charley mu:
have them, but kop! Her little purse vi
quite empty, and the dsetsSS bill was pc
feet nightmare to think Of. Oh, hop man
J. tables were loaded with the gxuries TIL
were strength, health, LIFE to poor Charley
and she walked On dsspairingly. The brig
blue SKY seemed to neck her, tie well Ella
ferns and happy faces to taunt her. O
throbbed there on the ride earth one hea
Of pity Peer Lena cxciteHent lent
deeper GLOW to her cheek, and brighter u
ire to her eyes. and the cold wind blew b
lssg tresses wildly about One could scar
see lsvelier face than Lena's then--se Fl
: Of lsye, 50 fsll Of sorrow.
|, Atleast so thought Ernest Clay fer
stopped aEd locked, and passed; ard lee
! ed again II was the embodiment 81 all |
!, artist dreams l must sketch it, said
!. /, To himself She is peer, that IS eviae
Z from her dress; that she is pure and i'm
/ cent, enc may see in the holy axpressien
her face And Low aud musical was 1
voice which expressed his request 70 Lei
His Iona was respectful; but bis ar4ent Il
d embarrassed her. and she veiled her bril-
Z eyes with their long lasbes, wikhsut rep
ing