The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-10-18
For the Central Presbyterian.
Our Blind Little Elsie.


There were six of us, and father said
he had his shoe full, and sometimes he
said we made as much noise as a nest full
of jay birds, but Judging from the way
he looked from mother to us, and then
from us to mother, think he was very
proud of his brood. Mother called us
her jewels, and if we were, am sure lit
tie Elsie was the diamond, as l believe
that is the rarest and most precious OF
gems.
When Elsie was one year old, we were
all taken with scarlet fever, and after
days and weeks of wearying sickness, and
regular and constant attendance of doc
tors and nurses and ministering friends,
the light of the sunshine was seen, and
the voice Of gladness was once more heard
IN the house, but our rejoicings and
thanksgivings were not without sorrows,
for dear little Elsie was hopelessly blind
Father had always been so proud of her
lovely eyes, and as he trotted her on his
knee, he would sing
Blue were hef eyes as the fairy fay,
And her cheeks like the dawn of the day"
Sometimes he would say that Elsie was
going to be like mother when she was
young, and he would resurrect snatches
OF Scotch songs to sing to her, Annie
Laurie, Bonnie Jean, and some others |
would never have heard from him, but
for the inspiration of Elsies lovely violet
eyes. Mother bore her trials and Attic
lions with patience and submission only
equalled by the great martyr Job. One
day heard her say that father was
proud man, and she did not know how
he would look at things, that she feared
he would be less devoted to dear little
Elsie, but [ am glad to say her fears
were unfounded, for if Elsie had been
LoUed before her affection, she was idol
ized now, she was the first person father
asked for when he came in the house,
and our pleasures and young friends were
but half enjoyed till we took them to
Elsie. She was rolled about in her car
riage and she had the first and best of
everything; we gave her every possible
enjoyment, and taught her all we could
she sang beautifully in Sunday School
and at home, and she was cheerful and
happy. I think mother would have been
glad to keep her at home, but when Elsie
was nine years old, father said he and
mother must visit some institutions for
the blind, and decide where it would be
best to take her, for she must have an
education. So last summer they started
out on that business, and left us all at
home; we promised to be real good lit
tie women" and think we kept things
straight in every department. Father
and mother were gone some weeks, and
visited several cities and institutions for
the blind and made arrangements to take
Elsie to the one they preferred Dear
little Elsie was never cheerful after she
heard size was to leave home, and dropped
and faded like snow-Grop. One morn
ing she declined to get up, and said she
was sick. A week from that day she told
mother she saw such beautiful place,
and every body looked SO happy, and
then she sang
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast"
And the eyes that had been dimmed here
on earth, now opened on a brightness
and glory exceeding all earthly gifts.
The idol Of our home was removed to " a
house not made with hands, eternal in
the heavens" With the return of the
sun each day, the urn on Elsies grave
was dressed as long as the fall roses and
the white chrysanthemums lasted, and
now that the spring flowers have come
again, l have resumed my pleasant duty
to my loved one. She now needs no hand
to lead her about, but her memory sheds
a light upon the lives and pathway of
those she has left behind. r.