Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1860-01-05

OF the house opened, and an arm Vas
stretched out, holding slender pair of
tongs, by means of which piece of mon.
cy was deposited in Veronica open hand,
But scarcely had she received this Christ
mas gift ere cry Of pain escaped her
lips, cry which was responded to by a
laugh Of insulting mockery from the
/ heartless wretch who was still standing
in the open window. The penny which
he had handed to the poor child had been
drawn red hot from the fire. Veronica
hastily dropped the perfdious gift, and
with many bitter tear, retraced her
steps to her lonely home.
When Veronica returned to her faith.
er's side, and told him of the Christmas
gifts she had brought, it cost the poor girl
a severe struggle to conceal her suffer.
ings and speak to the blind man in cheer
full 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 be.
slowed on her his Christmas blessing :.
but eronica's hand panied her mpcb
and she went to bed with heavy heart
In the mountain districts of Germany.
the schools are ve,y large, one master
not untreqnently having charge of two
hundred children. Under these circun
stances, he can scarcely he expected to
have any particular acquaintance with
the Opposition or tastes Of each individ
ual scholar, unless some casual occur.
renee chances to bring it to his notice
Is not your hand healed vet % one
day inquired N. RosSel, the parish school
master, addressing his pupil Veronica
Madel.
| Veronica unfastened the bandaoe
which she daily tied on as we'll as She
could with her left hand; and the worthy
schoolmaster, seeing the indamed sta,e of
the wound, became very INDIGNANT. when
he learned how it had been nroduced
Shameful" he exclaimed, thus to
lnJure child singing her Christmas car
OF! viii you let Inc hear your song nv
little maid? | love music we'll myself
You know | am the parish precentor, as
well as the school master"
Veronica timidly obeved. The school.
master was to her formidable auditor:
but the good mans kindness soon set her
at ease; and she Sang with so much ex,
preston that NJ. Rossel was not only sur
prlSed' but deeply moved. who taught
you TO sing thus, my child p he inquired
when the young songstress paused.
NO one,' she replied; "my father is
ohnd; he often finds the day very long,
ana sing to him to amuse him. 1t is
Almost the greatest pleasure he has: and
am So glad Of that, for we are poor,
ana ne can not afford himself many other
! pleasures
| But the melody itself, and the method
where did you learn all that? ?" in
CURED the schoolmastel.
veronica looked perpexed but after
moments reflection, replied: II have
oiten heard our miners sing that air."
Ny child" said NJ. Rossel to the lit
tie girl, see how often God overrules
the wlckedness Of man for His own pur,
poses. The burn you received on your
hand has caused you much suffering, and
has prevented your working at your lace
10 earn money for your father, but if it
hao not been for this accident he should
never have noticed your voice, which
VIII, hope, prove to you mine Of
wealth, and enable you 20 procure more
comforts for him than if you had been
working night and day at your pillow"
Veronica did not very well understand
the good mans meaning. but she felt
gratiied for his kindness, and anxious to
do her best to please him. From that
day, forward. M. Rossel gave her regular
instruction in the art of singing, whilst,
ut the same time, he contriyed to interest
several benevolent people in the fate OF
this deserving family; SO that the blind
mans wants were fully supplied, and his
little daughter was thus enabled to pur
sue her studies with a cheerful heart.
! Twelve years passed away. 1t was a
inc autumn evening, and the weather.
inhabitants of Seeberg might be seen in
uil toilet, flocking to the town hall. An
event, rare in this somewhat secluded re-
gion, has set the whole town astir. The
first cantatrice of the capital, one who
enjoys European celebrity. is about to
give concert, i'll conjunction with her
brother, for the benefit Of the poor OF
Seeberg.
At the entrance Of the hall might be
seen the old sehoolmaster aud precentor,
M. Rossel, awho was Filing the Office OF
cashier on the occasion. His eyes beam
ed with delight as the money accumulated
on his desk; aud when he recognized ali
acquaintance amongst the numerous ar.
rivals, it was with no small pride that the
good nan produced golden snuff box,
and oiferiyg his friend a pinch of true
Virginian, at the same time whispered in
bis ear; This is gift from grateful
pupil. See it is engraved upon the lid
and when it was given to me. il was full
OF gold pieces. And look at this, 100,
be added, drawing handsome repeater
from his fob; this, too, is the gift Of my
former pupil"
!, " You are celebrating your triumph to
night, NJ. Rosscl,A observed Que o! TIL
new comers.
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