The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-01-12
MISCELLAN N ECU s.
MITTIE, THE BLIND GIRL.

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dear children, Those two bright, clear
happy eyes, that He has given to drink in
the pleasant sunshine, the beauty OF the
flowers, the glory OF the rainbow. and the
sweetness of your dear mothers smile -
Listen now to the story Of child to whom
lie never gave eyes to look upon any Of these
beautiful things.
1t was on u sunshiny morning - some
where in the middle OF the Atlantic Ocean
that u gentleman, whom soa.sickness had
imprisoned in his state room since the firsl
roll of the ship, took courage, from cup oi
coffee aud the camness OF the sea, to craw!
upon the deck. As1io stood ut the head
Of the narrow stairway, clutching a rope to
support his tottering steps, he heard glad
child's laugh. Lookingup, he saw little
rirl about two years old, quite at her ease
on the turning and rolling floor, trying to
:. lump rope" with knotted end OF ship
rigging, which had boen given her by an
old sailor. The brisk breeze had frightened
her checks, and curlcd her flowing hair in
every possible manner. Mr.. l.. thought ol
his own little daughter over tho ocean, and
lis eyes illed-
"Come to me, my dear he kindly call
ed, reaching his hand toward the child.
She stopped bor play, looked up as though
half frightened, half sstonisbed; and then
began carefully to creep towards tho out
stretched hand. lie lifted her to his lip and
kissed the coral lips.
"Who,c little girl arc you!" he in
quired. ~
a touching tone. "Oniy God takes care ol
me and sometimes Capt. -"
"lIow where is your mamma !"
Mamma is in Burrampootcr. I'm not
her little girl any more. I'm going to New
York, !" she said "to DO uncle's little girl
But New York is II great way of, is it not,
sirl"
"Not avery long way, my child-you
will soon see your uncle
81 can MT see, sir,n she said softly.
Mr.. L. started, and looked down into
those bright, intelligent eyes. Alas it was
too true! they were darkened windows,
through which The soul could never look
"Ait,ie hey, Mitiio!" called bluff
voice, as the captains vanished hat ap'
reared from behind the mast Eth, birdie,
what new nest have you found :"
" ith a start and bound, Alittie Jumped
into his rough arms, and laid her cheek
upon the shoulder Of his shaggy coat sleeve.
:" So no, shipmate," continued the captain,
addressing Mr.. l.. $50 you are alo't at
last Nothing like stlll nor westsr Tor
taking the starch out Of you landlolk J" AMI
he laughed.
IBat this little girl, Capt. l.. How
happens she to be alono ON the wide world
of waters!" -.
I" Can Mt say" returned the captain, with
a dubious shake Of his shining hat. Z" Shc's
n stray wair that picked up on the Liver
pool docks. Do MT know her belongings
She was labelled for New York, it seems
Her name - what s the balance OF it, sea
bird " he asked.
"Mittie WyIhe Hamilton" lisped th'
child, who had already found her way back
to tie rope, und sat against the ships rail
ing, tossing up her hands at every dash o
the spray. was named for Uncle Wythe
and he told Mamma to send me-" Her fac
clouded for an instant, then frightened agail
, in the sunshine.
"Poor blind pet So far rs | can maxi
out her story from one thing and another
she is the child Of Missionaries in India
Poor creature; dare say she was getting NJ
good in that heathenish land so it seem
they put her into the charge Of an Englisl
lady, whose name 'vs forgotten, who &C
out to join her husband, somewhere in Can
ada. But she sickencd and died before tn
barquo Sally reached England, and the poo
thing was left friendless and helpless. Wha
the Captain and matc were thinking OF,
do Mt know bu, they put the child on dr.!
land, with the balance Of the passengers
and set sail without so much rs looking VI
q New York packet. Alone in Liverpool :
and it no place for blind child, sir, :
say nothing of one that s got eyes
found her amusing herself pretty much q
you see her now, With bits Of chips q, th
end Of ship yard! How tho creature hat
lived, lean nj say. III believe after this
shipmato, there g God in the sky, who, a
she says, keeps watch over children, il b,
does MT over us grown up sinners !
seems TO me that she never wanted beril
/, or mess. want to 20 to New York,
she would say to every stranger who spok'