The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-10
MATILDA BLIND.

Under the blooming apple.boughs at Wimble-
uuu met the sister OF Ferdinand Blind. A
| handsome, brilliant. Bettne-hke girl, full OF
TALENT, energy, and enthusiasm. The pet of
Mazzlnl, the friend OF Browning, an ardent ad-
I9lrer OF Goethe, und hearty haier of Blsmark.
she approved of her brothers deed, considered
hlm martyr. and glored In him as a hero,
refusing to lament his death as others did bat
taking pride IN it with a stern sort OF satislac-
ton, such as Roman glrl might have felt at
some brave act of friend or lover. To me she
was very charming on account OF the many
peculiarides to which others objected Simple
and flank as a child in manner, the wit and
wisdom of her conversation struck one all the
more strongly by the force OF contrast for she
talked huently and well on many subjects which
few girls care even to hear Of Entirely uncOn-
sclou5 of herself, she sat in the grass idly pull
ing daisies as she discussed Emerson CARLYLE.
Kant, Goethe, English politics, and German
wars, with sense and spirit that amazed me,
and made other girls seem like pretty dolls
beside an earnest woman, with heart aud soul
all alive to the great questions OF the world.
On another location met her IN London, and
ENJOY lively argument between herself and
three or four young barristers on the subject of
poetry. They were sensible fellows, we'll read
In good training for argument, and as enthusi-
astlc as 1t was possible for EDgishmen to be on
any purely ideal subject; yet Matilda Bltrd not
only aston1shed, charmed, and out-argued them,
but convinced them that there was something
fper in poetry than they had ever suspected
Detore, and unconsciOusly gave them a sample
we were at dinner when she came in, bat long
alter the dessert was over we still sat on. too
ussonlshed TO care tor lights, though summer
twilight soon hid the faces of the disputants
from one another. One by one the young men
lell silent; and we sat in the dusk, listening to
the girls eloquent voice, as she repeated fine
INES from Shakespeare, Milton, Goethe, Cole
lldge, and Schiller, with dramatic power that
charmed us all. Whenever she paused some
one eagerly said, "Please 90 on:n ana she did 90
on, illustrating her theme with marvellous
skill and beauty holding us till late INTO the
evening, and causing the whole party to volun
teer as an escolt when she left.
1t was moonlight night, and / walked with
her part OF the way home, answering her
questions about America, and hearing some of
her pranks, which were decidedly of the Bettinc
order. She liked the freedom OF her own coun-
try better than England, and said she was CON
tmually shocking some excellent person by
doing what she liked, regardless of the strict
rules set down for the guidance OF Young ladies'
II desired TO visit Switzerland when more
young than noW," she said, IN her prettily
broken English. 81 took friend to protect
me, but we soon wearied of each other: / sent
her nome, ana then was greatly content. All,
such adventures, all alone in q strange country:
a glrl, and so little / spent my money | lost
my luggage, people thought me mad at home,
and everything was SO droll. Then | had a
little lear, and was suddenly wise; | sent for
money and redeemed my luggage: went home
ana asked pardon for my prank But il was
hDe, liked it well, and | shall go again. NV
life often becomes heavy to me; but | make
freedom Tor myself, and so endure it, Wait a
llttie, IT may yet come to some good; for have
gifts, If can only learn to use them"
AS she pressed my hand at parting with a
strong warm grasp, could not doubt that the
life OF this richly-gitted girl CoWd come to some
good, and hopefully wait 10 hear of Matilda
Blind.-M Y. Independen.