Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-12-24

hen Joyous dig beneath fhc soil
Aud still De your qafhcring-cry,
Cheer up, brave hearts, cheer up!'
Voronica's voice was trcmulous with fear
when she began these simple lines but she
gained courage as she proceeded aud she re-
pcated the burden Of the song with spirit and
energy She then paused. and anxiously
awaited the result of her efforts. Two or
three minutes elapsed; the time seemed long
to poor Veronica; she felt humliated and
confused. and was about to withdraw; but
at last the door turned on its hinges, and
woman came out and placed in Neronicas
trembling hands small cake and a twopcnny
piece.
The poor child could scarcely contain him
self for Joy. "Oh, my dear little George y
she exclaimed, see what a happy beginning
have made You shall have the sugar
plum but the cake and the money are for
father that he too may be able to keep his
Christmas feast.
The night was now far advanced and We
ronica thought she would make but one trial
more before she turned her steps homeward.
This time, she determined on trying her
chance at the door of a rich man, an inspec-
tor of some mines. Clear and firm her young
voice now rose through the still midnight air
and, when her song ceased, the window on
the first floor of the house opened, and an arm
was stretched out, holding slender pair of
tongs. by means of which piece of money
was deposited in Ncronicas open hand. But
scarcely had she received this Christmas gift
ere a cry of pain escaped her lips, a cry which
was responded to by laugh of insulting
mockery from the heartless wretch who was
still standing in the open window. Thepenny
which he had handed to the poor child had
been drawn red hot from the fire. Veronica
hastily dropped the per6dous gift, and, with
many a bitter tear, retraced her steps to her
lonely home.
When Veronica returned to her father $
side. and told him of the Christmas gifts she
had brought, it cost the poor girl severe
struggle to conceal her sutferings and speak
TO the blind man in cheerful tones. He, un-
conscious of the pain she was enduring asked
her to sing for him once more before she re-
tired 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 a heavy heart.
In the mountain districts of Germany, the
schools are very large, one master not unfre
: quently having charge of two hundred chill
dren. Under these circumstances, he car
SCARCELY NC tAptNNtA w nav an lN'NNNfN
acquaintance with the disposition or tastes o
3 each individual scholar, unless some casua
occurrence chances to bring it to his notice.
: "Is not your hand healed yet y one da,
inquired NJ. Rossel the parish sohoolmaster
I addressing his pupil Veronica Madel.
Veronica unfastened the bandage, which sh
daily tied ON as well as she could with he
left hand and the worthy schoolmaster, see
d ing the inflated state of the wound becam
very indignant when he learned how it ha
been produced. "Shameful," he exclaimed
'.thus to iniure child singing her Christina
carol viii you let me hear your song, m
little maidi love music well myself No
r know am the parish precontor, as well
y the schoolmaster."
'' Veronica timidly obeyed, The schoolma'
ter was to her a formidable auditor; but Il
: good mans kindness soon set her at ease an
& she sang with so much expression that n
AT Rossel was not only surprised, but deep