The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-02-16


however, nature got the better of her and
| she, too slept.
crosse, my child Rose, it is time to go,
isn't it? It's daylight, isn't it, Rose?
No answer.
.'Rose," continued Bob, as he stretched
out his hands on all sides, Rose, my
| pet, where are your
Alasl the pretty voice of his child
made no response.
Blind Bob started to his feet feet, the
cold perspirations upon his brow; his
breath came in short, quick gasps, and
then, as if bursting from his very heart,
he shrieked, "Rose! Rose!"
And the wood in front of him gave
back the echo, Rose! RoseI"
At this moment WAGNER came down
the road, and, seeing Bob frantically
waving his hands, he asked:
"Well, man, what ails thee?"
"My child" replied Bob. 81 have
lost my childw and then he explained
that he and his Rose had been sleeping
in the hedge, and she had suddenly dis
appeared. The WAGNER picked up the
violin and bow, which he placed in
Bob's hands. Then he looked about on
all sides, to the right and to the left, but
no child met his eyes.
"She may have gone flower gathering"
said the WAGNER.
"She may" replied Bob. 81 will sit
me down and wait awhile"
And sit down he did, and tune after
tune he played, hoping that the sound
might catch her ears, but hours passed
away until wayfarer informed him that
night had again set in, aud not until
then did Bob rise and totter Oft, mutter-
ing:
''Lost! Lost! Nay, stolen-stolen in
her sleep"
Ten years passed away. Blind Bob had
been travelling all over over the CONT
nent, but not q word did he hear of his
lost child. Those who had known him
in better times, when he was in the or
chestra of the provincial theater, took
pity on him and inserted an advertise
in many papers, both London and pro-
vincial,. but no replies came. Bob's hair
had changed from brown to pure white,
his form was bowed, and it took him
long time now to walk mile. But every
where he went he was treated with the
greatest of respect. All took compassion
upon the poor old man, and they consid-
cred his feelings, for never once did they
mention the name of his child. Well,
as we have said, ten years had passed
away, and July had again come around.
This year Bob determined to try his luck
| in London, and with that intention he
set off, and worked his way, little by lit
| tie to the great city.
Eventually, he arrived in Piccadilly,
and after some refreshments he entered
one of the side streets and bringing
forth his violin commenced to play. But
Bob did not get as much as he would
have got outside one of the country inns
and he was proceeding to return his in
strument to Its place when a man in me-
chanics attire, and carrying bag of
tools, touched him on the shoulder say
ing cheerily:
"What, Bob, old friend! Can it be re-
ally your"
Bob raised his face.
81 can't recall your voice to mind"
said he.
at don't suppose you can," responded
the man. "But when / tell you that my
name is Tom Bing perhaps you will re-
member"
Blind Bob held out his hand with the
remark:
"Tom Bing! Isit really? Well, I am
glad to meet a friend"
"And SO am I, Bob. Lord! It's years
since saw you"
"Aye, nigh upon twelve" returned
Bob, "lt was soon after I had lost my
sight.'
Eyes, 1 recollect. All, that was bad
job, Bob? I heard about the accident.
And how's the girl?"
No sooner did the words leave Tom
Bing's lips that Blind Bob, uttering .
groan of despair, let his violin fall
with crash to the pavement.
"Don'ty' he cried, 81 can't! I can't
bear il"
"why, you don't say she is dead. do
mo, no. Worse, worsew
"Worse! How on earth-but come,
Bob, take hold of my arm. I'm Of to
the Royal Concert Hall. I am still
stage carpenter. Come along, and let
me hear all about it - We go along. I'm
sorry to see you street playing; but that
don't matter to me. lean give You food
and shelter for few days. / shan't be
aba to get away from the hall until after
the coDcert, but that does not matter for
I will zee that You are all right. It's .
grand night there tonight, Lob; some
new lady from America going TO sing.
She has magnificent voice, I've heard
cay, but you know better than what
music il. So il You stop you will have .