Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-08-21

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That day Mrs. Davis sent her ticket for a
concert at the Blind Institution, and she went
When she came home to tea, she told me that
the girls and boys VINO sang looked quite happy
and contented "And why should not be SO
100 what number of beautiful sights can
remember which some of them never saw "
she added, with sigh.
After this, imperceptibly, her sight went
until noticed, that even in crossing the floor,
she felt her way before her, with her hands out.
DR., Nash again offered to use his influence to
get her admitted into the Institution, but she
lwayspleaded, 1" Letme stay with you, Jane -
and | had not the heart to refuse; though
she would have more advantages there than
could afford her
Not far from us there lived an old German
clockmaker, who was, besides, musical and
acted as organist at the Roman Catholic Chapel
in the town. We had known him all our lives.
Lettie often carried him posey from our gar
den, and his grandchildren came to me for
patches to dress their dolls. Muller was grim,
fantastic-looking figure. but he had heart of
pure gold. He was benevolent, simple, kindly;
1t was his talk that had rcconciled Lottio more
than anything else, to her condition. lie was
so poor, yet so satisfied SO afflicted, yet unre-
pining.
4" Learn music--l will teach lhce," he said
to my sister, So, sometimes in our little par
lor sometimes in his he gave her lessons in
fine, sacred pieces from Handel and Haydn, and
taught her to sing as they sing in churches
which was grander than our simple Methodist
hymns 1t was great delight to listen TO her
1t seemed as if she felt everything deeper in
her heart, and expressed it better than before
and it was all her consolation to draw the sweet
sounds up out of that well of feeling which
love had sounded. knew that to remember
how Harry loved her gave tenderness and pa
tiencc to her suffering which it would else have
lacked. She, who used to be SO quick with her
tongue, never gave anybody sharp word now.
do not say much about our being poor,
though, of course, that could not but be ; still
we had friends who were kind TO US even Mrs.
Davis softened, and mentioned to me, under
seal of confidence, that if [ could not quite
make up the rent, she would not press me; but
fortunately had not to claim her forbearance,
or else do fear she could not have borne to
lose sixpence; and when 1t had come to the
point we should have had to go like others
she was so very fond of money poor woman =
Lettie used to go to the Institution sometimes,
where she learned to knit, and net, and weave
tasket-work Our rector "a better man never
lived, or a kinder to the poor) had her to net
covers for his fruit trees, fishing nets, and other
things, and to knit wooden socks for himself
and his boys; SO that, altogether, she contryed
to make what almost kept her. Now that the
calamity had come, it was not half SO dreadful
as it had seemed Il long way off. Lettic was
mostly cheerful. | never heard her complain,
but she used to say often, that there was much
to be thankful for with us. She had quiet
) religious feeling, which kept her from melan-
choly and, though did not find it out unit
afterwards, a hope that perhaps her afictior
might some day be removed. Harry had pu
that thought into her mind, and do not think
+ | am overstatins the truth in saying that hin
:. honest, manly affection for her was the grea
0 motive to his working so hard at his profession
C in which he had since become deservedly sue
It cesslul and famous.
d We had six very quiet years. 1t seemed t.
n me as if Lettie had always, from the first, gon
e softly cropping her way, and had always lc,
e her to chapel and back. Harry studied in Lon
d don then we heard of him in Edinburgh an
n at last his mother said he had gone to Paris
10 and she was half afraid he would settle ther
r and marry Papist wife Lettie looked sorrow
rs full and restless for day or two after that, bu
% presently recovered her cheerfulness We hu
n not much change or variety at home. Their
,r was forever at my work, and Lette at he
20 music. She had gained a great deal of ski
now and many time have seen q knot
s. people standing at the corner Of our garder
hedge to listen to her singing, have hear
!! several grand public performers since then, bu
never one who could touch my heart and brin
X the tears into my eyes as my poor blind sistc
r. did. On Sundays, at chapel we could hear he
though our tunes were wild and simple-sun
d. by her, they were beau tfui Sometimes ST.
would 90 to st. Johns church for the sake
- the organ and the chanting, but did not fe
it right to change; habit is strong in slow, III
re taught people; and it did not seem as if | ha
kept my Sabbath, unless said my prayers
= the homely little chapel to which our moth
SIX had led us by the hand when we were children
en- Lcttie loved the grand church-music, and wi
| could wonder at it, poor assie Once or twi
to when she ad begged me to 90 with her, it hi
seemed to fill my heart to pain almost so no
b. much more must it have excited her who w
all fire and ENTHUSIASM She said it made h
feel happier and better, and more thankful
u God. Perhaps in looing one sense, her enjo
ment through the others grew more intense.
AT the end of these six years Harry Crof
IL came home. He was often ut our house, oil
OF we liked having him but, though Lettie seer
all ed happy enough, hc seemed uneasy and di
k. centented. l have seen him stand beside Il
: piano, and never take his eyes off her by Il
ch hall-hour together; but his face looked qui
re gloomy. At last he one day said to me, Jan
= are you timid IL do not think Lettie is. 81
NJ seems strong and we'll" knew he mea
more than simply inquiry after our nerve
lat and asked if he thought he had found out
en cure for my sister. lie turned quite red.
3D. Yes, l believe have. saw an opper
he tion performed in Paris on girls eye similar