The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-05-31

wildered, struggling look came into hl
face, then q helpless look, and then ht
stood staring yacantly, like q somnambu
list, at the waiting audience. The mo
inents Of painful suspense went BY, ant
still he stood as II struck dumb. l saw
how II wast he had been seized with stag
fright,
6lasllittle sister, She turned herlarge
dismayed eyes upon me. Hes forgotten
i" she said. Then a swift change can't
into her facei a strong, determined look
and on the funeral.likesilence Of the room
broke tho sweet, brave, child's voice.
"tAmid the permutatons and Combina
lions OF the actors and the forces which
nuke up the great Kaleidoscope OF hlsto,
~, we often find that o turn OF destiny'i
hand-'h ut
Everybody about US turned and looked,
The breathless silence; the sweet, child
ish voice; the childish face; the long, un'
child.like words, produced q weird effect
But the help had come too late; the i'm.
happy brother was already staggering In
humiliation from the stage. The band
struck up, and waves Of lively music were
rolled out "a cover the defeat.
l gave the little sister o glance in which
meant TO show the intense sympathy /
felt; but she did not see me. Her eyes,
swimming with tears, were on her broth
ers face. l put my arm around her. She
was too absorbed to heed the Caress, and
before | could appreciate her purpose. she
was on her way to the shame.stricken
young man sitting with a face like a
statues. 5rN q
When he saw her by his side, the set
face relaxed, and a quick mist came into
his eyes. The young men got closer to-
gether, 70 make room for her. She sat
down beside him, laid her flowers on his
knee, and slipped her hand in his.
l could not keep my eyes from her sweet
plying face. saw her whisper 10 him,
he bending q little to catch her words.
Later, ! found out that she was asking
him II no knew his "piece" now, and that
he answered yes.
When the young nan next on the list
had spoken, and while the band was play
ing, the child, TO the brothers great sur.
prise, made her way up the stage steps,
and pressed through the throng OF pro-
lessons and trustees and distinguished
visitors, up to the College President.
"lf you please, sir" she said with a lit
tie courtesy, Twill you and the trustees
let my brother try again? He knows his
piece now"
For a moment the President started at
her through his gold.bowed spectacles,
and then, approaching this child's peti.
ton, he smiled on her, and went down
and spoke to the young man who had
failed. .sg
So 1t happened that when the band had
again ceased playing, 1t was briefly an
nounced that Mr.. - would now de-
liver his oration-"Historical Parallels"
"tAmid the permutations and combina-
tons OF the actors aud the forces which
make up the great kaleidoscope Of history
~" This the little sister whispered 10
him as he rose to answer the summons.
A ripple Of heightened and expectant in
forest passed over the audience, and then
all sat stone.still, as though fearing to
breathe lest the speaker might again take
No dangerl The hero in the youth
was aroused. He went at his "piece" with
a set purpose to conquer, to redeem him.
self, and to bring the smile back into the
tear-stained face. l watched the
face during the speaking. The wide eyes,
the parted lips, the whole rapt being said
the breathless audience was forgotten,
that her spirit was moving with his,
And when the address was ended with
the ardent abandon OF one who catches
enthusiasm In the realization that he is
lighting down q wrong judgment and
conqueringa system, the effect was really
thrilling. That dignifed audience broke
into rapturous applause; bouquets intend
ed ior the valedictorian rained like a tenn
pest. And the child who had helped to
save the day, that one beaming little
lace, in It's pride and gladness, Is some
thing to be forever remembered.