The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1884-02-22
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BLIND ELSIE.


BLIND ELSIE.
1t had been raining increasingly fol
three days; the roads were wet and
muddy, most uncomfortable for the
people 10 traverse; boys were busy a,
each crossing, plying their brooms Wig
orously; above the dripping of the rain,
the shouts of the people, and rolling OF
vehicles across the road, came the
sound of n sweet child's voice, singing
mournful song with earnest pathos.
The child, little girl, was standing
in the corner, out of the way of the
busy wayfarers, and by her side stood
rough cross-looking woman.
The little face, in spite of its extreme
pallor. was very beautiful; masses col
golden-brown hair fell in wild profu.
sion over her shoulders; her eyes were
large and dark, and needed but 9
glance into their sad depths to tell tina,
for her all was darkness-she was
blind
One or two people, moved to COM
passion by the child's appearance and
the sweet face, gave the woman some
money, which she eagerly clutched,
then, thinking she was unobserved, she
grasped the child by the shoulder. and
said harshly:
Come on! We must go somewhere
else, there is not much to be got here. ~
again? Ar'n't you going home?
am SO tired" the child answered, lift
ing pale weary face 10 the woman.
What You don't suppose am 60
ing home yet, we have hardly any
money. the people are so sparing to-
day. You must come" and half drag
ging Elsie, she moved away.
But she did not see a tall dark form
follow her, man with kind plying
eyes and puzzled face. And when she
stopped in another street he stopped
also, keeping out of sight.
Now. Elsie, make haste"
And Elsie began her song afresh.
with a slight trembling in the sweet
voice which was not unperceived by her
listener; and rs she came to the end OF
the verse, she broke down altogether,
tears filling the sightless eyes.
Il cannot. / am too tired" she
sohbcd
but l say you shallr' the woman
cried fierccly, giving Elsie sharp
blow.
The child shrank back with low
cry of pain, but the next instant she
felt firm gentle hand placed on her
shoulder, and a mans deep kind voice
said:
.'Do not strike the poor child. She
seems weary. Is she your little grip
The woman hesitated, then said:
YES. And indeed it is very hard to
be burdened with her, blind as she is.
Nasty ungrateful girl she is, too. Won't
even help her poor mother earn little
bread by singing, and l am always SO
kind TO her."
A slight smile crossed the mans
face.
This is not the first time have seea
you; and noticed that the child was
blind. Has she been so lOng?'
Susan Wilson started, and her eyes
fell before the keen grey ones fixed up
on her.
Not very long-about three years. "
she faltered.
''Ah. then perhaps your little girl
might yet regain her sightP'
Gazing intently at tic lovely dark
eyes. he did not see the quick change
in the wOman's face; look OF start ed
fury overspread it, mingled with ter
ror; yet she forced herself TO say joy
fully:
"Oh, sir, You have indeed made me
happy. TO think of my darling Elsie
recovering her sight! What pleasure
for a mother to know that her child
will once more see her facet
Eyes: am certain of il. / am an
oculist, and the first time saw youi
little girl, felt convinced her case was
not hopeless. You will bring her to
me tomorrow, and will see what car
be done for her."
yes, SIR"
"Here, he added, giving her card,
ais my address.
Goodbye, Elsie;'' and DR.. Lester
slipped small coin into the tiny colo
| hand.
As the doctor turned away, Susan
grasped the child's arm and Kissed in
| her ear:
Il suppose you think / am going tt
take YOU to that DOCTORS, don't youp
why, yes; you said So" Elsie said
faint misgiving rising in her heart.
| "Yes. of course you do And
should like to know what you think
am going to do if your sight is restored
to have you again useless burden.
nice thing for me, truly. ! will tak'
care to Keep clear of that interfering
man"
And she kept her word; not once die
she 90 in the direction where she hat
met DIR. Lester.
One day, when Susan had beer
harsher to her than usual the poo
child, smarting with pain at the blow
she had received, and filed with sud
den rebellion, managed, while her cap
tor was talking with some friends, L
steal silently from her side, and in
few minutes she was alone in tn
streets.
Il wish 1 could find that gentle
man." she thought, as she grope,
along, guiding herself by the walls. s.
am sure he would help me-"
And it seemed as if her wish was +
Be granted; as she paused for momen
at crossing, kind hand was laid O.
her shoulder, and well-known voic
exclaimed:
"What! Is it possible? Little Elsie!
Eyes, sir; and l am so glad ] hav
met your Elsie cried in delight.
so am l. But how is it you ar
there alone? Where is your mother?"