The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-12-25
"Cheer up, We miners bold,
Nor let your courage flag!
For earth, her wealth unfold,
Yields to your patient toll
Then joyous dig beneath the soil,
And still be your gathering cry,
Cheer up. brave hearts, cheer up

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when she began these simple lines; but sht
! she repeated the burthen of the song witt
ur1iously awaited the results of her efforts
Two or three minutes elapsed: the time
seemed long to poor Veronica; she felt hui
inflated and confused, and was about tc
withdraw; but at last the door turned or
its hinges, and G woman came out and place.
in Veronca's trembling hands small cake
and a two penny piece.
The poor child could scarcely contain her
self for iov. 90, dear little heorSe,' sht
exclaimed; 'sec what happy beginning
have made. You shall have the sugar plum
but the cake and money are for father
that he may be able to keep his Christmas
FEAST
The night was now far advanced, and
Veronica thought she would make but one
trial more before she turned her steps home
ward. This time she determined on trying
her chance nt tho door Of a rich man, IN
inspector Of some mines. Clear and firm
her Young voice rose through the still mid
night air; and when her song ceased, the
window on the first floor of the house open
ed, and an arm was stretched out, holding
n slender pair of tongs, by means of which
n piece of money was deposited in Neronica's
open hand. But scarcely had she received
this Christmas gift ere cry of pain escaped
her, a cry which was responded to by a
laugh of insulting mockery from the heart
less wretch who was still standing in the
open window. The penny which he had
handed the child was drawn red hot from
a.. hoc l1- :.
fdous gift, and with many bitter tear, re-
traced her steps to her lovely home.
When Veronica returned to her fathers
side and told him of the Christmas gift she
had brought, it cost the poor girl severe
struggle to conceal her sufferings and speak
to the blind man in cheerful tones. He,
unconscious of the pain she was enduring,
asked her to sing for him once more before
she retired to rest, and then he kissed his
darling and bestowed on her his Christmas
blessing; but Veronica's hand panied her
much, and she went to bed with heavy
heart.
In the mountain district Of Germany, the
schools are very large, one was not unfre-
quently having charge OF two hundred
children. Under these circumstances, he
can scarcely be expected to have any par
ticular acquaintance with the disposition or
taste of each individual scholar, unless some
casual occurrence chances to bring it to his
notice.
is your hand not healed yet - ono day
inquired NJ. Rossel, the parish scool- master
addressing his pupil Veronica Madel.
Veronica unfastened the bandage, which
she daily tied on as we'll as she could with
her left hand, and the worthy school master
seeing the inflamed state of the wound, be-
came very indignant when he learned how it
had been produced. Shameful be ex-
claimed, 'thus to injure child singing a
Christmas carol; Will you let me hear your
song, nv little maid? l love music well my.
self. You know | am the parish preceptor
as we'll rs the school master
Veronica timidiy obeyed. The school
master was to her favorito auditor; but
the good mans kindness soon set her at case
and she sang with so much expression that
NJ. Rossel was not only surprised, but deeply
moved. 'Who taught you to sing thus, my
child?' he inquired, when the young song
ster paused.
'No one,' she replied; nv father is blind,
but often finds the day very long, and sing
to him to amuse him. 1t is almost the
grentess pleasure he has, and am so glad
Of that, for we are poor and he cannot af-
ford himself many other pleasures.
'But the melody itself and the method
where did you learn all that?' inquired the
school master.
Veronica looked perple1ed, but after
moments reflection, repid: Il have often
heard our miners sing that air.
'My child,' said NJ. Rossel to the little
girl, i see how God often overrules the
wickedness Of man by his own wise pur-
poses. This burn you received on your
hand has caused you much suffering, and
has prevented you working at your lace to
earn money for your father; but if it had
not been for this accident, should never
have noticed your voice, which will, hope,
prove to you mine Of wealth, and enable
you to prove more comfort for him than IT
you had been working night and day at your
pillow.
Veronica iid not very we'll understand tbs