Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-04
MORNING LEADER.
THE BURNING PENNY.
[ConcIuded.1

of Seeberg might be seen in full toilet, focking
to the town hall. An event. rare in this some
what secluded region, has set the whole town
astIr. The first cantatrice of the capital, one
who enjoys European celebrity, is about to
give concert. in conjunction with her brother,
for the benefit of the poor
AT the entrance of the hall might be seen the
old schoolmaster and precensor, NJ R. ssel, who
was filling the Office of cashier on the occasion
HIS eyes beamed with delight as the money ae-
cumulated on his desk; and when he recognized
an acquaintance amongst the numerous arrivals,
1t was with no small pride that the good man
produced golden snuff and, offering his
friend pinch of true VirgiRian, at the same
time whispered in his ear; 'This is gift from
grateful pupil Seel it is engraved upon the lid;
and when 1t was given TO me, it was full of gold
pieces. And look at this too" he added, draw
ing handsome repeater from his fob; 'this, too,
is the gift of my former pupil"
"You are celebrating your triumph tonight,
NJ. Rossel, p observed one of the newcomers.
''Yes, it is day of triumph with me and for
the town of Seeberg, too, rejoined the school
master, 'for she was born amongst us here, and
was her first teacher"
At last all the company had arrived, the hall
was thronged to the very door, and, at the ap-
pointed hour, Veronica Madel appeared upon
the platform, accompanied by her youthful
brother, and with her blind father leaning on
her arm. A burst of enthusiastic plaudits
greeted the young csntatrice as she gracefully
courtesied to the assemblage A band of noun |
tain musicians supported their parts admirably, |
and exerted themselves to the utmost to do |
honor to their country-woman George Madel |
his sister on the violin, to the ad
miration of all present, and Veronica herself |
sang as she had seldom been heard to sing be- |
fore; her voice reached every heart, and charm
ed every ear. We -aa
All the pieces named in the programme had |
been performed, a moments pause ensued, and,
after repeated acclamations, the assemblage was |
about to disperse, when, suddenly, young Madel |
touched his violiR. A familiar air arrested every
ssr, and Veronica, with a voice as pure and clear
as IN her childish days, commenced the verse so /
well known to all the miners of Seeberg-the |
same she had sung on that eventful Christmas |
Eve. At this moment the whole of the assem-
blage present started to their feet as one man,
the band of musicians laid down their instru- |
nents, and every voice Joined in the chorus
"Cheer up brave hearts, cheer up"
The celebrated eantatrice was for the moment |
forgotten; and Veronica Madel was only re- |
nembered as the young mountain peasant, the |
dutitul daughter, the loving sister, the obedient
pupil. The good old schoolmaster oblivious of |
his dignity, rushed to the platform, and with |
tears in his eyes, folded to his heart the pupil
who had so far surpassed his utmost expecta-
tions Veronica, turning toward tho assemblage,
With simple grace and humility of manner /
which touched every heart, owned that to this
good old man, under God, she owed al her
The very worthy citizens of fSeebere had pre-
pared banquet in honor Of the young eanta-
Irice, but during the interval which elsnsad - 1h4
sgeeHR the 1annnar tone Of earlier days, he said;
viii you come with me, my good Veronica, for
me half hourl This money you have intrusted
10 my care is weighing down my pocket l
should like to distribute some of it this evening,
and to deposit the remainder fthe sum in safety
at my ownhouse.1 E9 1fi
Veronica, though somewhat wearied after the |
exertion and excitement of the day, could not |
bear to refuse her old masters request, and, |
her father to Georges care set forth,
under the esort of the very kind, hearted school
master The darkening shades of fevening pre-
vented the young singer from distinguishing
surrounding objects; and she allowed Rossel to
guide her as he pleased, unconscious whittier
be was leading her. lJl4
81 should like you,' observed the old man,
''to see some at least, of those on whom your
bounty is to be bestowed. On the ground floor
of the house we have now reached, we shall find
family in very deep distress"
Entering dark passage, the precentor, fol-
lowed by Veronica, lifted latch, and passed in
to spacious, but gloomy apartment, lighted
by a single candle, and offering a striking con-
trast to the brilliant concert-hall they had Just
Quilted A pale, careworn woman, miserablvg
Id tho vafplu etr
lull her infant to rest. Two other children.
about three and four years of age, lay sleeping
on tattered mattress IN one corner of the room;
whilst on pallet, near the stove, lay sick
man, supported by straw pillows The two
strangers were received by the unhappy wife
and mother, with that cold indifference which
is so frequently the bosom companion of des-
pair.
as your husband asleep!p inquired NJ. ROs-
sell
'sAsleepI oh nolnt replied the woman. 81
know not what will become of us ~
The schoolmsster then approached the sick
mans bed, and addressing him kindly, said ::
"How are you to-day, Kunkel!'
"Just as 1 am always" replied the sufferer,
{" and so long as 1 feel that piece of money
burning in my throat, l shall never get any bet
ter" ...-.
HCannot Won dismiss that delusion lr inter
rupted Rossel. 'sThe doctor and have told
YOU an hundred times that that burning senSs-
| ton in your throat is natural result Of your
disease; and what is the use of indulging fancy
which only aggravates your malady !"
81 ought to know what feel, better than
either YOU or the doctor can tell it to me-" re
Joined the sick man rather impstiently; "and
know that feel one hard, burning spot in my
Throat, lust as though had tried to swallow .
piece Of red hot copper. No water can cool
that spot; it is always the same, always burn
ing" 1,a.-.,rr
she had experienced when her hand was burn
ed, and her pity for the poor man redoubled
@WeH, Kunkel," replied the sehoolmaster,
az can only repeat what ] have said befoEe
this is all fgment of your own Imagination
How in the world could piece of burning
money find its way into the center of you
throati"
gOh, / know it, l know it welln' ex
claimed the sick man. "Ie was last Christ
mas Eve that felt for the first time that burn
, ing spot"
q You felt it on that evening because the III
ceration of your throat had Just become mer'
! acute and widely spread."--
st0h, no! no there was another reason thal
/ that y groAned the unhappy man. 1t was OF
. q Christmas Eve, twelve years ago-stop d
YOU hear that cry under the window 1t wa
lust such cry as that the poor child gav
: when rewarded her Christmas carol by drop
| ping piece of burning money into her hanc
Oh, deserve all my sufferings richly, too we
!. know !" H
{ AS Veronica heard these words, q cry Of dIi
> NAV burst from her lips. 1t seemed as IT II
retributive justice of God had fallen rpon tn
unhappy man before her very eyes. It was
her solemn and overpovering emotion, an