Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-09-09
nanral &c II eliginus.
Our Saturday Night,
WITH A CHILD TO LEAD MN.

Us huu paoctus LUG ulluu muu Nur utI
father, and he was pnching her little arm,
scoldiug her all the while, for not telling him
that load of coal had been dumped on
the sidewalk before they came to it, to walk
over the loose pieces at the edge Of the pile,
80 they could have crossed the street and
found better walking.
an pinch yer arm of yer, if yer don't
look sharper that's what I'll do-herc
now and his hand frightened again on
her puny arm as she moaned in pain, but
dared not cry aloud for fear Of farther
injury.
Turning in more anger than amiability to
ask why such brutality, we saw in the eye
Of the child, something that reminded US
Of old times, and there was the duplicate
Of an expression we had seen years ago
stop. Is not this George ---2"
Yes" replied the blind man
Are you not a printer-did you not
work at one time in Milwaukee"
"Yes-years ago"
Come into the restaurant, where there
is a chance to be seated
Who are you that thus questions me -
Never mind only know that it is an
old friend who knew you years ago-a
printer who has worked in the same office
with you How came you thus blind and
in distress
IL lost my sight five years ago"
How came you to lose it ~
Misfortune"
Accident or sickness ?"
Sickness. was in hospital for a
while but could not be cured. At last l
became blind entirely. | am a boggar now. "
THAT is quito enough for one poor fel-
Tow. What was the trouble2'
Neot in my blood the doctor said
poison, il was, and went to my eyes
"And this is your child ?"
Yos, my eldest daughter"
Have you any other Children
Ono othor-a little boy
Did you not marry Kate -"
Yes why do you ask ?"
From the resemblance the little girl
bears to the woman who was your wife
when she was a young woman. You were
scolding her just now, asd the tears are in
her eyes ~
"She is not careful, sir; she don't look
sharp, sir, and | have to feel of her with my
fingers once in awhile now that I'm blind
=" Where is your wife p
She sorts rags in place on Ann street
has situation there"
" If you will wait here and let the little
girl go with mo short distance | will
send by her enough for your breakfast OF
dinner. The proprietor Of this place will
permit you to rest here few moments"
" Sit there a moment or two, little one
What is your name2"
MAUD Belle
"Do you go with your father daily2"
Yes, sir, every day when he is able tC
90 out, and when he is not go out alone
Z" DO you love your father 70
81 don't want to tell, sir; but | love
my mother"
THAT is always right. will MOI ask you
if you ove your father youneed not tell
"Let me sec your arm-push up the
sleeve"
From shoulder to elbow it was covered
with blue and green spots-cruel bruise,
where she had been pinched till the entire
flesh was spotted, with none of the origina
color remaining. The other arm was tn,
same, showing the punishment this it'll,
waif had been subjected to continually.
THAT will do, Maud. Does your fathe
drink ?"
ayes, sir. lie makes me lead him int,
Saloons and gives the money we beg 70
drink"
q" Are there men who will rob bin,
man aud a little girl Of what pennies the,
have obtained, as you get money!"
"Yes, sir; and women, too"
ado you mean to say that there are wo
men who will sell drink to your father, an,
rob little girl like your
Yes, sir"
Does your father go to such place
often ?"
Most every day, sir"
But if you should refuse to take him ?
"Then he'd pinch me, sir, and woul
; have no supper
"Whero is your mother 2'
She has to work in a rag.bin, aud tax
care Of the baby"
How old is the baby ?"
He's over five years old now. sir"
And you have to care for your father ?
Yes, sir"
DO you ever 60 out to play ?"
, No, sir---l don't have the time"
Can you read !"
"Just little, sir, mother teaches me.
well, Maud, give this to your father
and put this little away and give it to you
mother to get some shoes. Tell her an oil
: man sent it to her."
But you are not an old man, sir"
That is so--but an old man, away dow
South, left this money here to do good with
: and he is the one who sends it-not me.
The little girl ran away down the stairs
fast as she could, and we came in to GU
work. All the day long that face and tina
history has haunted us. A man who i
blind. A poor wreck Of humanity, one
handsome, proud, envicd. Years ago W
knew him as good workman. But he wa
not careful Of himself Always popular a
routes and parties always dressy and O
ready wit, be was a favorite. When W
: knew him years ago, he was good fello,
with the boys. lie was iavorito with th
girls, because he was such charming youn
follow-so sprightly when he had beef
drinking a little. We counted upon bet
ter things for him. When he was mar
ried, the young people said Kate - haC
made u great catch. In few years W
heard that he had gone deeply into dssipa
tion--that he had lost his regard for honor
aud was not true to his wife. To-day W
saw him, with the proof of what he ha
been, what he was. Fearful is the price h
has paid for the qualification of his feyere
appetites. The man has gone. The wrecl
is going. A poor little child with heart al
stepped in sorrow is leading her father t.
the potter's field. God only knows the loa
she carries. The bruises on her heart ar
: deeper than those on her arms.
Tonight as we write, we have been think
ug--thinking. What a record Of life t.
take to another world Of what use will
such honeycombed wreck be in the beau
, tiful garden Over There. Where will b.
suffer for breaking down the life of that poo
little girl whose mother is also bowed il