Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-12-04
Susie'S Gift.

The davs were growing dark for George
Graham. His studious habits had resulted
in an affection of the eyes that threatened
10 grow serious
This was his last term at school, and if
he passed his examination credItahly, he
was TO have place in Solomon Grant s
store. with wages that would not only
take care of himself, bat greatly help
his mother
His mother was a widow, and George S
love for her was n sort of passion of devo-
ZION.
He was very fond of Susie Hale, but
Susie was only nice girl TO him-a dear,
sweet. good girl, such as any fellow would
was due his love, his care, his uttermost
duty,
The plans he made IN life were all fo,
his mother sake.
What If this growing dizziness about him
was TO increase until all was dark? What
If he must be no help to his mother but
only burden on her forever:
His scholarship had been so fine that his
tutor hesitated TO reprove his now continual
failures; and George said nothing of the
increasing darkness around him to his mo-
Jher. for ne felt that it would break her
heart nHthing 10 teacher or schoolmateS,
for IL seemed TO him that his grief would
he nothing 10 them. But one afternoon
The crisis came.
No one who was present that day-noJ
even the smallest child-will evcr forget
the look OF wild despair that swept over
GeOTge GT1ham's face, or the gesture of
helpless anguish with which he stretched
out his hands, as if to seek among them all
some friend as he cried
God help me. have been going blind,
and now l cannot see one figure in my
book"
There was a silence after this, through
which came no sound but the audible beat
ing CT George Graham's tortured, despainng
heart
Then the master sent away the others,
for school hours were nearly over. and
tired his best 10 comfort his stricken pupil.
The words OF the teacher entered his
ears. bu1 they did not reach his heart or
kindle his hope
As soon as he could he went away. He
did not 90 straight home. How could he
face his mother and tell her what he must
tel her now
He sat down on bank little removed
from the road side, bank which overhunG
Al swift, deep vet narrow stream
An awful temptation came over him.
To be sure 10 die would be TO leave his
mother 10 fight her battle Of life alone; but
also il would relieve her from the heavy
burden hemusr needs be TO her IL he lived.
The river rushing down there below in
Vi1ed tim with iIs murmur.
lie bens forward over the stream. Then
he drew back for longing came over him
10 20 home first and see his mother just
once mnre-
See her What an talking about
DO not knOr shall never see her again. :
And a girls voice. soft and tender, an
unexpected voice, answered him
Yes yOu viii see her again. Surely
Won vii see her again"
The hoy turned his face towards the
s1und
How dad yoa cone here, Susie Hale:
lse asked
Don't be angry, George, the gentle
voice enfre4red- 1 waited for you.
could not 60 home till had tald YOU how
II
must take heart and try TO be cured.
have known people who could not see at
al. 10 be helped, and why not you! At
ieast yOu must try
An evil mood was upon George Graham.
and he answered, harshly
Where Is the money 20 come from, if
~oa pleaseg IL iEas been al mother could
40 Just 10 I've, and she has struggled on in
the expscantiDn OF nv being able soon TO
help her She has no money for expert
menfs- here is nothing for il but for me
10 resi- q dead weight upon her hands. or
die"
-4You believe in God. George Graham,
and vou wall NOT defy him If he means
vou to beHr This YOU win bear it like man,
and moi nv TO get nd Of the burden Just
NOW, il seems 10 me, yol ought TO 60 home.
Would yea like yOur mother to hear this
from SOMEONE else
He rose slowly
You are right, : he said. '-and YOU are
a rood girl. Good bye. Susie.
She did not 1y 10 60 with him; she fol
lowed him only with her eyes
His mother met him al the gate.
When she took his hands in hers the poor
&EltOW Ten IA3AI slat A4fCN 1li- oRS was
perT uuies and self controlled
Your tutor has been here, she said,
and he has told me. My darling, why
have you sai IN the darkness, and shut youI
Eeother out from any share in your troubleF
Oh, couldn't gell YOU, mother, he
5bbed- Il couldn't | thought il won ID
break yo1r heart
Meanwhile, Susie Hale had gone hons
full OF Sn absorbing purpose.
Somehow money must and should be
raised 10 tr4y what skillfu; Oculist could do
for George Graham.
Susie was the orphan niece of solomon
Grant
She knew tlzzt she had modest little
fortune CT her own, but IL was all in her
mncAeas hands. and without biE consent she