Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-04-22
The Light Of the Blind Mans Home.
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NhaS We alteauy know OF AIMS history will
account for her recovery, and explain, as far as
words may, her happiness, as letters, neither
few nor brief, kept her faithfully informed. 81
Williams success in the machine shops. and Of
other natteTs,more interesting to Ann no doubt.
which do not especially concern us Latent
faculties, which be had never dreamed Of pos
seasing, had been developed while employed
about the machinery Of tho mills for in this
last letter he had spoken Of a successful inyen-
ton, which he hoped soon to bring out. and
which promised to make his fortune.
AIMS heart oVerilowed wiihioy Although
she had always understood William better than
anybody else could, it was pleasant to see him
thus winning his deserts II her fathers and
mothers hearty appreciation Of his worth,
equaled their entire forgetfulness Of their ear
ller opinions, Ann was too unworldly to sus.
peet them, too happy in the present to be haun-
Ted by the past. Alas that a single cloud
should dim such prospects, true, it was but a
speek at first that darkened the smiling heavens,
vet it grew like summer tempest AT first,
William wrote, but not despOndingly, of slight
weakness, trifling inflammation Of the eyes
which would hinder him from study or experi.
ments for little time, and DELAY the briuging
out of his invention, A less cheerful letter
had forbidden all laborOr study for little time
An ominous silence ensued aud then came a
letter-Ann's heart sank when she glanced at
it--in a strange hand-wrting.- - -..
An intimate friend had written what William
dictated. lie was going to consult a disiin-
guished oculist in New York. I'VE shall not
meet again, Ann, if his opinion is unfavorable, +"
said he in closing, "but Keep up good courage
II hope much from his skill" "
Eagerly did Ann obey him, hoping on until
the death blow Of hope came, in one last cold,
stern epistle, oh how unlike William in its SO.
verify sa a-J-Hl Hulta'8 1ssl.lli q
at is all over, Annie-I am blind, blind! Not
another ray of hope TO mock me. You are free.
shall never see you again, never; aud may
God grant that your eyes may never behold me
in my humiliation. Forget me. We must not
meet again have done with hope, done with
lite God bless you, even as he has curselne
We cannot speculate upon the tears which
fell upon these words, wrung from desolate
and despairing heart. The trail child, whose
heart had. been well nigh broken in her early
trial, rose up from this terrible afilietion, a
woman, strong in purpose, and Heaven sun.
ported for the work she had TO do
One bright morning in spring, Ann Warren
stood by the small mirror ia her own room. adj
justing her simple toilet. The old apple tree
crowded q spray offrhgrant blossoms in at the
open window. Ann gathered one TO fasten in the
brads of her hair; aud then bowed her head TO
weep over the memories II had awakened Only
year ago, and how quickly William noticed
them and stopped to admire their color and fra
GRANGE. Itmight have beonthe soft cheek, tint
cd with hue more lovely than the buds, he
Thought Of most, but he would never see that,
nor sPring-time nor happiness again. What
were the apple blossoms to Ann now; she drew
them out and dropped them there to wither.
Her eyes were red with weeping when her
mother entered. Mrs. WarTon seemed annoyed,
as che noticed them. "Ibeliev6 that child means
to kill herself She cries half the timo,p said
she, in thought Ann had turned away and
seemed very busy with her shawl and bonnet.
"YOu going outl" queried her mother -
"YOur eyes are as red as ieTets" She review
ed, eisufely, pile Of sewing that lay upon tlle
table, for no reply came to her question.
1--WE got the housewOFk all done 10, and |
thought, mebbe, you'd like to finish fitting that
calico Of mine. hain't a single dress that's
decent for afenoOn.nt
'Wili not some other time do lust as well, |
motherl' she asked quietly, aud then confront |
ing her she added. Mother, am going up to |
Mr., Bradley's' She seemed 70 understaud !
perfectly just how many words were needed to |
raise the storm of indignation, which she was
prepared to meet, for she added nothing more
Ann WRnen!t screamed hef nothsf, why, |
you're beside yourself What will your father
say I'd like to know AS long as William had |
sense enough to break of, I'm sdrs I'd let him
see that could live without him.
'lf had married William before he became
blind, would you have advised me- 10 desert
hint
'Eonsensel that quite another story. Ifyou
10 60 there to-day ! can sec how il win end.
It aint your duty to tie yourself down to
A shiyer ran through the girls veins as the
last words fell upon her ear; but she added, IN
her patient depreealing way Mother, I've
thought this all over She did not say prayed
jvef II, but pausing reyofently, added alter a
little, Il believe Know my duty mother
Il should think you did! screamed Mrs. War
'en again, ID angry excitement; but Ann was1
llrehdy beyond the reach of her shrill tones,
lurrying across the field toward Mr. Bradley's
Mrs. Bradley was al work in her kitchen,
when Ann Warren softly stole in at the open
loOr Silence and sadness prevaded the house
although sunbeams flooded the room with theif
-adiance, while the glad sounds Of awakening
life came in through tho open windows She
started nerVouslyi as the advancing shadow
,auSed heFtO look up from Der work, 10 en-.
'ounter those fearful, wistfGf eyes, eloquent
with inquiries. 7tss, s'L
why it's you, Ann WarTen' she exclaimed,
indeT her breath, as she caudOubly closed the
ioOrs, and then came 10 cit down by her side.
Why, you poor child, how aiter6dyou DO lookp |
She grasped AIMS cold hand between both Der
'wn warm palms caresaingly, aud both wept si-
entity for a time Its comfort 10 me, Aun, 10
Zee YOU This trial perhaps oughth't 10 say
Is William does, taat 1 had been better Il he
s.a