Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-04-06
ooh, didn't she ! See !"

+! show the Sckenlng WeltS on the thin
shoulders. Martin Bruce gave shudder
as he looked, and going to a stand brought
some arnica, which he mixed in cool water
and tenderly bathed the wounds with an
old handkerchief
'Does it hurt so much ?'' he asked, as the
poor child WINGED under his touch.
"Oh, my II mean yes sir! But don't
mind; know you IL make it better. Oh, !"
! (and again the tears broke out.) II wish
| was dead.
You are too young to wish that TriXy.
I'm fourteen, if am little.'
Fourteen! How time flies 1t seems
only yesterday since l first found you cry
ing Oil the airs, and its three Years ago.
Trixy nestled close to the hand extended
| to caress her gently as these words were
| spoken-the only hand in the big boarding
house that was ever filed with kindness to
! her. She was one of the New York waits
| from the almsfouse, bound out to a cross
| ask-mstress' who had been Systematically
| tyrannical from the first hour she had the
child under her rule. Over-tasled, half
starved and whipped, Trixy was stunted,
thin and miserable in appearance, while
her ignorance in all useful knowledge was
J balanced by precocity truly wonderful Ill
lodging her tasks and evading her puuiSh
ments.
GA nasty, deceitful little baggage !" Mrs.
Hayes declared her to be, and it was
mournfuly true.
I But Martin Bruce, who occupied one of
the back rooms Mrs. Hayes provided for
boarders, had been moved with tender com
passion for the child the first time he found
her sobbing out her misery on the attic
stairs. Many an orange and packet of cake
had Trixy munched in Mr. Bruce's room
Many a coo. lotialf had been put upon
smarting cuts and weltS by Mr.. Bruce's
tender hands .-Many tender caress and
kind word had passed the bearded lips to
comfort Trixy.
Others had come and gone and been kind
one day and cross the next as the mood
seized them but Mr.. Bruce never varied
in kind words or acts though he often
gravely reproved Trixy for her very con-
spicuous faults, and tried to correct her
vulgarities Of word and thought
1t would be impossible to give any ade-
quate idea of the Worshiplng affection the
child gave in return for this kindly inter
est. All goodness, all manly perfection,
was to embodied IN the tall, blonde man
who came between her and her tyrant, or
comforted her grief.
Fourteen" he said again. ''Trixy it is
time you were at school, if you are ever to
go!'
Away from you?'
81 am going to Paris.''
Utter blank misery. fell over the child's
face.
ITO Paris p she whispered with white
shaking lips.
eyes, Trixy, for three years; you will
bequite woman when come back
eyes ?'' faint and shudderinz
''And must get away from here 20
No easy task as Martin Bruce soon dis
covered. He was not a rich man though
his salary as an engraver was q very good
one, and it required some personal sacrifice
to carry out his plans for Trixy. NJ IS.
Hayes would not part with her slave, ex-
cept for consideration, and after this
was accomplished, a difficulty was found
in selecting a school in which to place her
But at last one was found, in a small
country town, and Trixy most sincerely
promised to study diligently, and prove
herself worthy Of the kindness bestowed
upon her.
The parting as q sore trial, but Martin
Bruce was happy in the CONSCIOUSNESS that
lie had done all for the child that lay in
his power. For four years his letters from
Trixy proved her progress in every study
she undertook; her unchanging gratitude
to her benefactor.-Then she wrote she
had been offered situation to travel with
an invalid lady, and would probably be in
Paris before the letter had been there many
days. Every line of this communication
was full of gratitude for the opportunities
given the little waif for culture and happi-
ness, and the sense of pleasure it gave her
to be no longer an idle burden to her bene-
factor.
$50 ends tn It chapter" the young man
half sadly, as he folded tile closely written
sheet.
''My wild bird has left her nest, and must
try her wings alone. Well, It's best SO, as
things threaten" and the strong right
hand was passed YEARLY over the large.
blue eyes, with a deep sigh. 3.,si
Two years later, in q hotel at Nice, a
beautiful girl, dressed in deep mourning,
and an elderly woman, who seemed sort
of confidential servant, were seated upon
the wide piazza, watching the groups who
passed and repassed in a large public
square, opposite to where they were placed.
Suddenly the girl, who had been scan
ming the many unfamiliar faces, grasped
her companions arm, saying: 'Do you
know who that is?" pointing, as she spoke,
to tall man, with shade over his eyes,
who was seated upon bench in the square.
eyes, ma'mselle said the servant, in
French; "that is the blind gentleman, who
is here under the care of DR., Bonnair. But
is it not dreadful? So handsome-so strong
and hopelessly Blind
''Hopelessly blind2"
$50 they say. He was injured by the
work that he did-fne work that tried his
eyes. do not know what it was. And
he came here to DR.. Bonnaire, hoping to
be cured. But it is not cured He can
never see again!"
The young lady addressed rose as her
i. servant spoke, and crossing the piazza,
stepped lightly down the steps and straight
to the bench upon which the blind man