Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-08-27

the nine numbers on Saturday, depositing
his heavy bundle with a sigh Of relief,
Mrs. Packer sat down and had good cry
right before him, unmindful Of his WON
dering eyes.
"Why, ma am, what be the matter with
yer?n he said at last.
ooh! I'm so wicked Joe," the little lady
sobbed. II always thought I'd take such
pleasure in splendid, big Bible, and now
I fairly hate the sight Of those gray, paper
covered books. They'll never do me any
good, or anyone else believe"
Ma'am-if you wouldn't lnind"-said
Joe, timidly, II know where they'd do q
powerful sight of good. I've times and
times wisht he'd jest one O. them books
with their greet big. easy readin'; jist the
thing for old, blind, eyes,
"Why, Joe, what do you mean?" asked
Mrs. Packer, aroused from her grief by the
boys earnestness.
ssOhi if yer'd please ter come along
with me, . said Joe, "yer'd see for yersef,
better'n I kin tell yer. Come where
Granny is; do Gomez
Moved by Joe's pleading. Mrs. Packer
donned her bonnet and shawl apd went
out with him.
ssWhere is Granny2'' she asked, when,
after pointing the direction in which she
was to go, the boy humbly fell to the rear.
I'm 'ospital for old women; Indignant
females it says up over the door, but
Granny says there amt no sech there;
they're all as conf able and contented as
yer please. There it is now," and he
pointed to the sombre looking building
that did duty as home for ''Aged and In
digent Females
The doorkeeper seemed to know Joe
we'll, and gave him CHEEKY nod as they
passed in. Ur the straight, uncarpeted
stairs they went Joe leading now and
glancing back admiringly, as though he
were proud of playing usher to SO pretty a
lady. Turning to the right on the upper
landing, they entered a long, many-win-
dowed room, with rows of narrow cots
down each side. Some Of these were oc-
cupied, but others were neatly made,
while beside them. in large, straight-back-
ed uneasy looking chairs sat old women,
wrinkled and bent and worn, till it seemed
a wonder that they should be there at all
unless, perhaps, they had gotten into a
'shabit of living" which they could not
overcome.
On one of the cots lay Joe's Granny
Her poor old withered face frightened up
at sight of her boy, and she put out a
trembling hand to greet him.
''Come to read to Granny again?" she
asked eagerly; but Joe. who was awk-
wardly trying to present Mrs. Packer, ig-
nored the question.
"What does he read to you?" inquired
Mrs. Packer, kindly.
1.-THE Bible,' answered the old woman,
reverently touching the book which lay
beside her on the bed. g My eyes are bet
ter than some, and could read it for my
self if I could only hold it; but it is too
heavy for my poor old hands. Joe does
pretty well land she patted his arm en-
couraglngly, while he entered the half in
audible protest: 'sOh! no, Granny.
stumbles asotul over the big words."); but
all the poor creatures haven't got SO good
a grandson to read to 'em; and some of
'em are SO deaf they couldn't hear if you
shouted ever so. But then-it's mercy
they are just the ones with the best
eyes. But the trouble is mostly with our
hands; it's amazing how many Of us poor
creatures have rheumatism and palsy, and
such; and Bibles with big enough print
for our old eyes are too heavy for our poor
hands. But the Lord always does manage
somehow, SO maybe it'll all come right.
Joe's been tellln' me about the great,
splendid Bibles they have where he works;
all in pieces like. Seems to me if I only
had Matthew now, and the Psalms, 1
wouldn t have anything more to ask for in
this world"
''l es, and il only had Isaiah," inter-
rupted quavering voice from the next
cot, whose occupant had been an interes-
ted listener to Granny Fry's remarks.
"But they're dear, dear. Joe says; not for
poor creatures like us. Them has 'em as
don't prize 'em; and haint read word
for nigh two weeks"
.'Didn't I tell you?'' whispered Joe be-
hind his grimy hand.
s'You poor dears!" said Mrs. Packer, a
great lump filling her throat till she could
hardly speak. ~ haven't had Matthew
x,of l,,,t houo Tcoiob ord fho DooI,,,o opd
you shall have them before Pm an hour
older. Come, Joe; quick !"
Joe needed no second bidding, and be-
fore Granny Fry could recover from her
surprise they we're out of the room and
fastening homeward as if their lives de-
pended on their speed.
''Do you think we can carry them all
Joep" Mrs. Packer said as they entered
her little parlor, which looked so home
like and cosy after the great bare room
they had just left. Do you think there
will be enough for all? Why didn't you
bring me more?"
''Dear me, ma'am," said Joe, but re-
spectfully. show you do change. A little
while ago you was cryln' because there
was SO many of EN-"
eyes; but that was before I knew"
said Mrs. Packer, remorsefully.
While she was speaking she had been
hastily tying up the numbers into two
packages, one of which she essayed to
take herself, but Joe entreated she would
give 1t to him,
"Why, ma'am, could carry twice as
many if twas to give Granny pleasure!'
he exclaimed. His homely face was fair
ly transformed by the devotion that shone
there; and as Mrs. Packer looked at him
she said, softly;
s'You, poor. dear Joel and I called you
stupid but one does not always need