The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1885-03-25

slowed on the blind, music. Had 1t moi
been for this L believe those weeks OF
darkness and uncertainty would nave
driven me mad Had it not been that
could pass many weary hours away play
ing to myself, that could be taken &c
concerts and hear them play and sing,
my days would have been unbearable,
and shudder to think of what AID
might have called in TO render them less
burdensome.
I waited and listened to the song. 1t
was taken from an opera recently pro
duced on the Continent, an opera not yet
popularity known i'll England. and the
song was one that few amateurs would
dare to attempt. The singer, whoever IL
might be, sang it softly and under her
voice, as though fearing to throw 1t out
with full force. The lateness OF the
hour can easily account for this restraint.
Nevertheless, and one capable OF Judging
must have known he was listening to no
ordinary singer 1t was easy to recognize
the trained skill and dormant power, and
imagine what, under favorable clrcum-
stances, that voice might accomplish; l
was enchanted My idea was that [ had
stumbled into nest of professionals
people whose duties ended so late, that
to enjoy any evening at all, night must
be greatly encroached upon. All the
better for me Bohemians themselves,
my unexpected nocturnal intrusion might
not brighten them out of their wits.
The singer had now commenced the
second verse. placed my ear close to
the door to catcI every note. was
curious to hear what she would make OF
the effective but trying finale, when-oh,
horrible contrast to the soft sweet liquid
notes and subdued words of passionate
love II heard gasp, spasmodic fear
full gasp, that could convey but one
meaning. l heard it succeeded by long
ieep groan, which terminated In CUR.
Cling sound which froze my blood. L
heard the music stop suddenly, and the
cry, the piercing cry ct woman ring
out like frightful change from melody
TO discord and then [ heard dull heavy
thud ON the floor
L waited to hear no more. L knew
that some dreadful deed had been per-
petrated within a few feet Of where [
stood My heart beat wildly and fiercely
In the excitement of the moment L for
got that l was not like others forgot
that strength and courage would avail
me nothing forgot everything save a
desire to prevent the accomplishment of
crime-the wish to do mans dnty in
saving life and succoring the ones in peril.
L threw open the door and rushed head
long into the room Then as became
aware OF the presence of strong light, but
light which revealed nothing to me, the
folly and rashness of my proceedings
came fully home to me, and like flash it
crossed my mind that unarmed, blind
Il i
to meet my death.
surprise In the distance [ heard the
cry OF the woman, but 1T sounded
mIlffled and faint bsee,nfed- to me- that a
struggle was going on III that part of the
room. Powerless though was to aid, I
turned impulsively and took couple of
steps in the direction whence the cry
came; my foot caught in something and
fell PROSTATE ON the body of man.
Even In the midst of the horror that
awaited me / shuddered as l felt my
hand, lying on the fallen man, grow wet
with some warm fluid which slowly
trickled over it.
Before could rise, strong muscular
living hands were upon my throat, hold
ing me down, whilst short distance off
l heard the sharp click of pistol lock.
Oh, for light for a secondl If only to
see those who We're about to take my life,
if only strange fancy to know in what
part of me to expect the fatal bullet:
And /, who some hour OF two ago lay and
dared to wish for death, felt at this mo-
ment that life, even my endarkened life,
was as dear to me as to any creature under
the sun. So cried aloud, and my voice
sounded to me like the voice OF q
stranger
"Spare me- L am blind blind !
blindl"