Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-02-04
The Two Friends,


not walk q step without the aid Of a crutch
She had always been happy, merry.hearted
child Notwithstanding her affection; but
one morning as She was going to school, it
suddenly occurred to her that a crutch was
very incouycnicnt thing to carry, that her
walk was long, and the sun was scorching
that mex summer il would be Just as bad
yes, and the summer after that--and all the
summers; that She should never run a step
in all her liie--tha' in all probability, her
poor little foot would never, nerer touch
the ground.
Rosy seemed 10 live years in a very few
moments, aud, oh, the years we're so dull
aud stupid. Never even to have the free use
Of her hands, like other girls. To be help.
less burdenci- crippled ltwas too hard
She was cross and sullen at school that
morning. The teacher seemed surprised,
and the scholars wondered what had come
over their little playmate for Rosy, with
her crutch, was generally counted worth
any two Of the other girls at recess time, she
was so "widc.awake aud full Of life.
But upon this morning, the sun was so
very bright, and the girls seemed so gay
and happy; they raced up and down the
long school-yayd so swiftly and 80 merrily.
that it did seem as if all the world could
rejoice and be glad-alI but one poor little
girl, who must lag behind-who must al-
rays lag behind, yes, allcays, as long as
she lived. She didn't want to play or talk
She just wanted to sit still. and think
Rosy said the teacher, just before
school closed, Are you in a hurry this
noon 2'
In hurry She might be in ever so
much Of a hurry, and every girl in school
would get ahead Of her.
Nom, She answered, sullenly
/ wish you would come to the desk,
then, before you 90 home"
And so, when Rosy had packed up her
books very neatly, she walked up to the
platform.
The scholars were all gone but one, and
that one was 81 new girl" with light hair
and large blue eyes. Rosy looked at the
eyes, but they didn't seem to notice her
1t was very strange.
This Is Bella Saunders" said the
teacher, and over Bela's face came bright
sweet, eager expression, but she did not
once look toward Rosy.
"She is Blind continued the teacher
" She cannot study; but would like very
much to come to school occasionally. She
came alone this morning, but that is hardly
safe, Her mother is not able to come with
her, and thought perhaps you might be
willing to take charge Of her on her way to
and from school,"
1T is only for lite WHILE said Bella
| must 60 back to the asylum in a few
weeks"
Rosy knew very well what the asylum was
She had heard of it a great many times.
Have you been there before ?" she in
quired
"Oh, yes am only home on a visit
Mamma wanted me so much"
"D0 you ike to come to school ?" asked
Rosy.
Yes, like to hear the girls talk"
you shall come erery day. cried Rosy
" I'll take care Of you. can't walk rery
fast, because I'm lame, but"
"Are you lame ?" inquired Bella, with
aifectionate interest.
YES; feel my crutch :"
The blind girl touched it, then passed her
plying fingers over Rosy's fat little face.
81 don't see how you walk at all with
that tbiRg,' said she.
"Just hear me- laughed Rosy; and she
went rapidly across the old floor, making
as much noise as she possibly could.
They went out into the warm sunshine,
hand in hand Many eyes were fixed upon
them as they passed Bella didn't know
it, and Rosy didn't care. She was her
own light.hearted little self again
But, as she walked along with her
charge, all at once she seemed to realize
what a terrible afliction blindness was.
Never to see father or mother, green tree or
beautiful flower. Never to know ones
own face in the glass all ones life to
grope through dark, dark world. Oh, it
was too dreadful
"Are there many girls in the asylum ?"
she inquired at length.
"Oh, yes. A great many"
"And all blind 7"
"0f course" laughed Bella. That's
what they're there for"
For few moments Rosy was silent.
She couldn't speak. She tried to cry very
softly, but Bella's ears were sharp.
whats the matter?" she asked.
"I'm so sorry for you !" exclaimed blunt
little Rosy.
"EoeryJody is" replied Bella, in low
tone. "I'm sorry for y0't, too" she added,
after a pause. 1t must be so hard to
walk with that stick"
"Oh, that's nothing, nothing at all !"
and Rosy brought it down upon the pave.
ment with sharp click.
1t makes noise enough, at any rate, "
laughed Bella.
Rosy saw her little companion safely
home, and promised to call for her again in
the afternoon. And she did call--that af.
ternoon, and many other afternoons--in the
morning, or after school was closed-at
any time, in fact when Bella wished to 90
to school, or anywhere else. Time or place
mattered little or nothing to Rosy. She
was only too happy to serve as escort upon
all occasions.
So they enjoyed great deal of time to-
gether-those two afflicted ones. Rosy s
brief discomfort had fed, she thought, for
ever How could she complain, when there
were so many girls in the world who could
not seeP She would be ashamed even to
think Of such thing.
At last the day came for Bella to 90
back to the asylum, and Rosy was incon-
solable, Sitting upon Bella's little bed, she
watched the packing of the small trunk
and as garment after garment was laid care
fully in, and she realized that she could sec
them no more for long time, if ever, her
tears fell fast.
Bella seated herself beside her, and
drew from her pocket an envelope, which
she put into Rosy's hand. 1t contained O
capital photograph Of tho little blind girl.
That's for you to remember me by, ;
said she. soothinolv.