The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-02-16
's s,. BLIND WALTER.
a Short Tale for Young People.

i5f Ou are doubtless aware that Greonwlcn
NAV be reached both by railway and
steamer; aud il you we're there lew years
ago. you nigh, have remarked. near the
sieamboat pier. the hero Of this narrative.
He was then pale. slight youth Of six
teen, good looking, but with the usual ex-
preston Of countenance half resigna-
iion. hall anxiety -- which belongs to the
blind. He was quite blind; and had been
90 from birth. He had for about two years
played the fiddle daily q. the corner Of q
certsin street. Every morning he was
brought to his post Ivy an old woman with
whom he lodged. or sometimes by grand
child. who also brought his dinner, at one
O'Clock. and fetched him home 10 tea at
six. fTIe,neyer asked for. money. bu. at his
fec, lay a small basket, into which half.
pence poured pretty freely. There was a
quiet, accomplishing manner about him;
he was 40 nea, and clean. that in the neigh
borhood he was favorite, all strangers ad.
mired him. But what was curious and
pleasant 10 see, was the respect shown by
al the sailors, waterman. and old college
men. Though he could moi see, they al
ways touched their hats to him. and said
:, Sir" when they wished him good morn
inQ or good evening. But then blind Wal.
ter was the son Of a cHptain H. the royal
navy. who had lefi him without father at
six wears old. He had mother. but she
was what is rarely found in, this worl'l. as !
dare say you all know "a bad nother.
and that is the wors, thing that can fall to
she LOT Of child. She was not what the
world calls wicked. hut she was 80 really
She neglected her blind hoy; she lei him
Dick 10 his ed,,ua,ion how I,e could; aud
but Tor the kindness of an old musician,
Who took a fancy 10 him; and when his
mother was ou, fetched him to his house.
he wonld haze known nothing.
The musician was . poor old Italian. \
gentlemen in habits aud feelings; and he
Taught the boy to speak Italian. TO be tidy,
cjean. and 10 play on the violin. Walter
bsoame pa assiona,ely fond Of music. which
when her mother made the discovery, ,ratI,-
o. warmed her feelings towards the child.
She shsd him more neatly dressed than be-
fore and took him wherever she went as a
prodiRy. 4, Walter. who was an intelligent
and pleasing lad. was universally liked.
He was peiled and taken notice Of. and
acquired the manners Of the society 10
which he was now introduced. The i'm
cortance Of early training and education,
which perhaps just now may moi be very
plsssinp TO you. was. demonstrated in the
case Of Blind Water. When ha fell into
c,har circumstances he never lost his grace
ful manners. his soft tone oi voice ---ths
surest marks of good breeding and good
cempauy; and he gained largely by ill.,
Bot shis lail was sudden and nnexpe ected; hi.
mosher. she porlionless dsughier Of poor
proud people Of good faulty. whom Wal
ier's father had married Tor her beauty
died deeply in. debt, and the poor bo!
lound himseIf alone in the world with no
4hinR, hat his violin. saved from the crstli
tors With much difficulty. They had bse
awo yesrs IN Greenwich when this happen
"a; and the father having been much like
kx ~, Grew -, some Of whom were now i
Greenwich Hospital ~ tscse old pension
"a council. Thsv would have like
q asnd ibe hoy. nav ,heir child. 70, sss
biK his blindness was ! serious draw whacl
Jbey. thsn advised him 70 Try biz lortun
vii6 his violin. and Walter, who had n
S(hSs ftisnds ~ his father having, been 4
orphan. projected BY one now dead 70
loved their advice. His FIRST days III,
vSS wondrcus IN lie results; oil the oollep
H3n. csms ~ qnietly. Without saying
vSrd ind IthsS~ in their hslf.psnce; In
WAltsrsknQ,t thanked God 10 his hesr
vbi1ahs ,heught eralsfplly of the poor Ia
}Sss musician. Who had been tho instr,
snsas of Providence in giving him Il
uo6ns ~ ssrnine hia livslihood. sHe tot
e,neni, sIeap, but chap room in lhe houl
" - eGed widow, With m orphsn gran,
tA|s'ssp Y yssEs slS h cd ~ y 4