The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-02-13
BLIND ELSIE.

the shouts OF the people, and rolling OF
vehicles across the road, came the
sound of sweet child's voice, singing
q mournfu1 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
q rough cross-looking woman.
The little face, in spite Of its extreme
pallor, was very beautiful; masses Of
qolden-brown hair fell in wild profn-
sion over her shoulders; her eyes were
large and dark, and needed but
glance into their sad depths to tell that
Tor her all was darkness-she was
blind. ''t
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: " i'.'F'
Come on! We must 60 somewhere
else, there is not much to be got here. "
.'Againp Ar'n't you going homer !
am so tired, - the child answered, lift
ing q pale weary face to the woman.
I'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 tall dark form
follow her, a 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 slight trembling in the sweet
voice which was not unperceived by her
listener; and as she came to the end Of
the verse, she broke down altogether.
tears filing the sightless eyes. As
II cannot I am too tired" she
sobbed. Fte q,
.But I say you -shallr thu, woman
cried fiercely,' giving Elsie . sharp
blow. 49,
The child shrank back with . low
cry of pain, but the next instant she
felt a firm gentle hand placed on her
shoulder, and mans deep kind voice
said: Ft
"Do not strike the poor child. She
seems weary. Is she your little girl3"
The woman hesitated, then said:
Eyes. 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 I am always 90
kind to herr "
A slight smile crossed the mans
face. r r.r.Fs
This is not the first time Ihave seen
you; and noticed that the child was
blind. Has she been so longl"
Susan Wilson started, and her eyes
fell before the keen grey ones fixed up
on her.
Not very long-sbout three years"
she faltered.
"Ah, then perhaps your little girl
might yet regain her sight?"
Gazing intently at the lovely dark
eyes, he did not see the quick change
in the woman face; q look of startled
fury oyerspread 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 mother to know that her child
will once more see her face"
YES; | am certain OF it. l am an
oculist, and the first time saw your
little girl, | felt convinced her case was
not hopeless. You will bring her to
me tomorrow, and l will see what can
be done for her n
Yes, sir. SOD"
Here, he added, giving her q card,
''is my address"
Goodbye, Elsie;" and DR.. Lester
slipped small coin into the tiny cold
hand.
As the doctor turned away, Susan
grasped the child's arm and Kissed in
her ear:
II suppose you think l am going te
take you to that doctors, don't your
why, yes; you said so, Elsie said
faint misgiying 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. l will tax
care TO keep clear Of that interfern,
man ..fr
And she kept her word; not once di,
she 60 IN the direction where she ha,
met DR.. Lester. - 800
One day, when Susan had bee,
harsher to her than usual the moo
child, smarting with pain At Aha bfow
she had received, and Allied With aud
den rebellion, managed, while ber CON
tor was talking with some frisnds r +
steal silently from her side. and IL
few minutes she was alone in n
streets.
II wish l could find that pent
man" she thought as she grop,
along. guiding herself by the walls.
an sure he would help me-"
And 1t seemed as if her wish was
be granted; as she paused for nome
at q crossing, a kind hand was laid I,
her shoulder, and q well.known vol
exclaimed
"What! Is it possiblei Little Elsie
Eyes, sir; and ! am SO glad hs
met you'll" Elsie cried in delight. .
$50 am !. But how 10 It you 4