The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1875-12-25
"Cheer up, ye miners bold, -"
! = Nor let your courage iagl
A. For earth, her wealth untold,
Yields to your patient toll; ~
~ Then joyous dig beneath the soil,
And still be your gathering-cry,
Nbeerun brave hearts cheer M .,

Cheer up, brave hearts, cheer up''..t YAK
Veronicas voice was tremulous with fear
when she began these simple lines; but she
gained courage as she proceeded; and she re-
peated the burden Of the song with spirit and
energy. She then paused, and anxiously
awaited the result of her efforts. Two or three
minutes elapsed the time seemed long to poor
Veronica she felt humiliated and confused,
and was about to withdraw; but at last the
door turned on its hinges, and woman came
out and placed in Veronica's trembling hands
a small cake and two-penny piece. ,.1
The poor child could scarcely contain her.
self for joy. "Oh, my dear little George she
exclaimed, "see what happy beginning
have made. You shall have the sugar plum
but the cake and money are for father, that he
too may be able to keep his Christmas feast"
The night was far advanced; and Veronica
thought she would make but one trial more be-
fore she turned her steps homeward. This
time she determined on trying her chance at
the door of a rich man, an inspector of some
mines. Clear and firm her young voice now
rose through the still midnight air; and, when
her song ceased, the winow on the first floor Of
the house opened, and an arm was stretched
out holding a slender pair of tongs, by means
Of which a piece of money was deposited in
Veronica's open hand. But scarcely had she
received this Christmas gift ere cry of pain
escaped her lips, cry which was responded
to by laugh of insulting mockery from the
heartless wretch who YVES still standing in the
open window. The penny which he handed to
the poor child had been drawn red hot frem
the fire. Veronica hastily dropped the perfdi-
GUS gift, and, with many bitter tear, retraced
her steps to her lonely home. u"
When Veronica returned to her fathers side
and told him of the Christmas gifts she had
brought, it cost the poor girl severe struggle
to conceal her sufferings and speak to the blind
,aha rf1rl tnna Ia ny
pain she was enduring, asked her to Sing for
him once more before she retired to rest; and
then he kissed his darling, and bestowed on
her his Christmas blessing; but Veronica's
hand panied her much, and she went to bed
with heavy heart. ~ ad. 10
In the mountain districts of Germany, the
schools are very large, one master not unfre-
auently having charge of two hundred chill
dren. Under these circumstances he can
scarcely be expected to have any particular ac-
quaintance with the disposition or tastes of
each individual scholar, unless some casual &C.
currence chances to bring it to his notice.
"Is not your hand healed YETI" one day ia
quired M. Rossel, the parish schoolmaster, ad-
dressing his pupil Veronica Madel.
Veronica unfastened the bandage, which she
daily tied on as we'll as she could with her left
hand; and the worthy schoolmaster, seeing the
inflamed state of the wound, became very in
dignant when he learned how it had been pro-
duced. "Shameful," he exclaimed, "thus to
injure child singing her Christmas carol !
Will you let me hear your song, my little maid
| love music we'll myself. You know am the
parish precentor, as we'll as the schoolmaster. j"
Veronica timidly obeyed. The schoolmaster
was to her a formidable auditor; but the good
mans kindness soon set her at ease and she
sang with SO much expression that M. Rossel
was not only surprised, but deeply moved
"Who taught you to sing. thus, my child 2" he
| inquired, when the young songstress paused.
"No one" she replied; "my father is blind
he often finds the day very long, and sing to
| him to amuse him. 1t is almost the greatest
pleasure he has, and ! am so glad of that, for
we are poor and he csnnot afford himself many
| other pleasures"
| "But the melody itself, and the method
where did you learn all that" inquired the
| schoolmaster. O..
Veronica looked perplexed, but, after a mo-
ment's reflection, replied: 'I have often heard
eur miners sing that air."
| "My child" said M. Rossel to the little girl
"I see how God often overrules the wckedness
| Of man for His own wise purposes. The burn
| YOU received on your hand has caused you
much suffering, and has prevented your work
| ing at your lace to earn money for your father
| but if it had not been for this accident, should
never have noticed your Uoice, which will,
| hope, prove to you mine of wealth, and en-
| able you to procure more comforts for him than
/ il you had been working night and day at your
pillow"
| Veronica did not very well understand the
| good mans meaning, but she felt gratihed fol
/ his kindness, and anxious to do her best tC
please him. From that day forward, M. Ros.
| sci gave her regular instruction in the art oi
singing, whilst, at the same time, he centrived
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 pursue hel
studies with cheerful heart.
Twelve years passed away. 1t was hnt
autumn evening, and the weather. inhabitants
of Seeberg might be seen in full toilet, fockinl
to the town-hall. An event, rare in this some
/ what secluded region, has set the whole towr
| astir. The first cantatrice OF the capital, on'
who enjoys European celebrity, is about II
give concert for the benefto the poor Of See
berg. thea s.'~
At the entrance of the hall might be seen th'
Iold schoolmaster and precentor, M. Rossel, wh'
was filing the office Of cashier on the occasion
His eyes beamed with delight as the money &C
cumulated on his desk and when he recog
nised an acquaintance amongst the numerous
arrivals, II was with no small pride that tn.
rood man produced golden snuff-bo and
Offering his friend a pinch of true Virginian
at the same time whispered in his ear: "Thi
is q gift from grateful pupil. See! it is en-
: eraved upon the lid; and when it was given t
me, it was full of gold pieces. And look
Ithis.. too.n he added, drawing handsome re
peater from his fob; "this, too, is the gift OF M
former pupil. ,,s5a Lax
"You are celebrating your triumph te-night
M. Rcssel," observed one Of the newcomers:
ayes, it is q day of triumph for me, and TO
Al Il...- ~e caabnro ton - reioinad the school