Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-05-03
THE BLIND GIRL,
Or Berthald Reimer's Voice.

|
not a very cold night" Karl Reimer
said with sigh; and his wife looking
little sadly for moment in his face, re.
placed the fresh log Of wood with which
she meant to replenish the half.bnrnt en-.
bcrs on the hearth. Returning to her
chair she sat down in silence by her
husbands side.
"Your work has not made you hungry
tonight, Karl" she said presently, with
an effort at chcerfulncss in her voice,
and she glanced at little table stand.
ing near, on which very homely sup.
per ofbrown bread and sour milk in q
thick curl lay scarcely tasted.
Hungry enough wife, was tho quiet
answer. There was pause. The wo.
man, STOPPING forward, laid her hand
upon his shoulder and said gently:
I'VE must keep good heart husband.
While we have good wholesome food,
and roof to cover US we have no right
to complain; many one is worse off
than we tonight!
'Ay, o.night-it is not tonight am
thinking Of Karl muttcred, and sudden.
ly rousng himself he stretched out and
cautiously bent and unbcnt his left arm,
clenching his hand the while, like one
trying his strength; then shaking his
head with deep sigh, he let it fall again
by his side, and resumed his former at.
titude.
1T is rest that you want" his wife said
soothingly. you have been working
too hard these two or three months
NO. he answered dcspondingIy, mo
rest can bring back strength to this arm
1t is not overwork that has brought on
the weakness. Wife look here and a
sickly smile came over his lips as Glen.
ching his hand again he turned it TO her.
'Look-a child might open it. Try you
Cher first efforts unclasped his fngcrs.)
| thought so,' he said bitterly. And a.
gain they were both silent. There were
tears in Madam Reimer's eyes, and she
held the weakened hand closely in hers.
alt might have been the rigth hand
Be thankful, Karl she said softly in a
little while.
u am thankful, but if it get worse, if
bee ONE useless, should have to give
up work; what's to become of US all?
what's to become, all through her life,
Of that poor child?'
'Hush!' Madame Rcmer whispered
softly, and shading her face from the
light, she turned her eyes to corner Of
the room where, in little low bed, a
girl lay asleep.
'She has heen asleep an hour or more,
Karl answered quickly. 'lf it were not
for her we could bear up bravely enough
We have worked hard, both of US, these
seven years past-scven-ay, it's more
than seven since the lightning blinded
her-near eight years now-wc have
worked hard to try and save up for her,
and what will she ever be the better for
it? There's not week passes but we
have to draw upon our slender stock;
for of all we have worked and saved,
there are not twenty guiden left. She
Will be beggar, our child-our Bcr,
thalde!"
"Hush, hush Karl, it will not come
TO that-we can work for her yeti is
all in Gods hands"
There was few minutes pause. Then
Karl spoke again, in passionate tho
subdued voice:
'Shc may be a besgar next month, for
aught know. When | can't work any
longer what is there for the whole of us
but beggary?' A momentary flush spread
over his brow; but, as it passed away
he proudly raised his head, and shaking
back his thick hair crept on tip.toe to
the bed, and knelt down on the floor be
side it. As he bent over the sleeping
child, look Of deep, plying and ten.
der love softened his rugged features
Softly and tenderly he pressed his rough
hand over the child's uncovered head,
drew aside curl of her long hair, that
hid her face; and STOPPING down, pres
sed his lips in long silent kiss upon
her thin pale cheek. She lay quite still,
with her sightless eyes closed breathing
soft and quickly.
How pale she is,' madame Reimer
whispered; for she hai followed her hus.
band, and stood now with her hands
leaning on his arm, and her eyes fixed
upon her child.
The little face was as still and
white as it had been carved in marble.
For an instant Karl glanced upward TO
his wife, and look Of sudden alarm and
pain seemed to flash from his dark pier.
cling eyes; then as it died away, he turn.
ed round to the little bed again, and
laid his head beside his child's upon the
pillow, not speaking anything aloud, al.
though his lips moved.
f MAY the Holy Virgin bless herr
Madame Reimer whispered in the ST.
lence.
'Amenn Karl brcathed with his deep
low voice, and with one other kiss ne
. rose from his knees. 'We will 90 to
bed now; tread softly wife-soitly,' he
said as together they moved away.
But when the door was closed, and
all was still, then in the darkness and
the silence, large tears began to steal
through the closed lids Of Bcrthalde's
eyes; for she had heard all that which
their love would strive to keep from her.
. She had had many fears Of late; her
father seemed so changed, and sorrowlul
, and longing to know what thing it was
that grieved him, she thought it no sin