Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-08-11

her parenls. But setting down her name
as charity scholar he forgot that she
was not an orphan.
And Mr.. Ia His sympathies had
been enlisted, and he really intended to
find out the mystery. But lie was a man
of the world. and immersed in its busy
cares. Having placed sum ofmoney for
her use in the hands of the director. with
permission to apply to him in any other
emergency. he returned to his English
home-and only remembered the blind
child OF the voyage at moments when his
own laughing Carrie climbed into his
lap.
One among a hundred children, Mittie
was well educated in all that the blind
can learn. She was taught how to read
the Bible, from which her mother had
read to her. by passing her small fingers
over very curiousl V raised letters. She
learned to sew, to braid and to write.
strange thoughts that head used to frame.
for that unsteady hand to lot down in its
crooked wandering over the paper. She
learned to sing the sweet hymns of her
schoolmates and to touch for herself the
keys OF the piano, whose melodies had
almost made her fancy herselfin Heaven,
only that she had been told in Heaven she
should see like other children Some
times, in her dreams, she would find her.
self on a soft couch with strange perfumes
and sounds about her, and would feel
warm tears dropping one by one, on her
forehead, while a dear arm pressed her
| closely.
Mother dear mother !" Mittie would
cry, and awake-to find no mother.
Years had passed-when again ship
was nearing the forest of masts in New
York harbor. On the deck sat pale la
dy in deep mourning, with traces of tears
upon her checks. Her children clung
about her with wonder in their faces.
sob, beautiful America! the America
you have so often told us about" cried q
sweet voiced girl of twelve. Mamma
does it look as it diu when you went
away ?"
Mamma, did you live in one Of those
great houses I"
Ma, ma plenty Pagodas here p chin
ed in the youngest boy, whose eyes had
taken in the numerous church spires. Al
spoke at once, but the mother answered
neither. Her heart was too full. She
had gone from that shore happy bride
and hopeful she was returning widow
broken in health and spirits, to place hel
/ children with her relatives, and then, as
she believed. to lay her bones in the toni
other kindred. One hope only, made hel
heart bound, and her pale cheek grew pa
Ter. as she looked on that shore of her ma
tivty. for the first time in twenty years
"Oh God! could see all my children
before dle!' she faltered.
pass over the scene of her landing
and welcoming to the house of her broth
err | will not stop to tell you how many
wonders the Indian born children founC
in American city customs and sights, foi
| must now haste to the end ofmy story
''Itis impossible, sister" said her broth
er to the pale lady, one morning, in an
swer to some expression. The child
could never have reached this country
! We never, as you know have traced hel
farther than England, and if she had been
brought here, sho could not have Jailed
to find me nor her"
The widow sighed. Goods will be
done! she murmurcd. but it is hard
to feel that my helpless innocent-my ell
dest born was sent from me to perish
alone. Often | feel as if it could not be
AS if she were yet alive, and | should
find her at some day"
Providentially. as it proved, the moth
err was led to search the catalogues OF
various institutions for the blind; long in
vain. At length she obtained a circular
from distant city, and glanced over il
| indifferently, so often had She been disap-
pointed. Her heart sprung to her lip,
as she saw the name Meta w. Hamilton
''Brother," she gasped, extending the
paper to him.
He looked and shook his head. Il an
afraid you are expecting to much, my
poor siSlcr. Matilda was your darling
name and then how could she stray tc
| that corner of the United States"
But the mothers hope was stronger
! than her fears She scarccl Y ate or slept
weak though she was. until she reached
/ the southern city whose meme the cata
/ logue had borne.
| "IIamilton? YES. we have one pupil by
that name" replied the bland superinten-
dent. in answer to the first question OF
trembling eagerness. but she Is an or
phan, madam.
"Are Won sure sir? Oh must see her
at once"
She followed him to the door of large
room. where fifty girls sat, busted with
their books and needl-work. The buz Of
conversation died, as they heard the sound
of strange footsteps-and hundred
sightless eyes was turned towards the
door.
Near table, on which lay bunch OF
delicate straw fishmentS, sat Mittie Ham
ilton. She had beeu braiding a bonnet,
but her fingers had ceased their work,
and buried in sort of reyery, she was
the only one who did not notice the en-
trance of a stranger.
"Was there any distinguishing feature,
bv which youcould recognize your daugh-
| ter. nv dear MADAME" asked the gentle
man.
The mothers eyes wandered over the
group. as though she dreaded the con-
/ firmation of her fears to lose her last
hope.
"Show me the child ofwhomy you spoke,
she faltered.
Meta Hamilton''-but he stopped. for
at the lady's first word, Mittie had sprung
from her position, and throwing back the
curls from her face, turned wildly from
side to side.
How is that?" she cried with out
stretched arms. That voice speak again!'
"Mttie. my chiidr' cried Mrs. Hamil-
ton. springing to her side, sinking over
powered, uyon her knees.
Mother, oh r''-and Mittie fell
in the arms that sradled her in her infan-
cy.