The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-09-12
Never Knew Him.

A touching story is told of the child of a
well-known French painter. The little girl
lost her sight in infancy, and her blindness
was supposed to be incurable. Three years
ago, however, famous oculist in Paris per-
formed an operation on her eyes, and restor-
ed her sight.
Her mother had long been dead, and her
father had been her only friend and
companion. When she was told that
her blindness was durable, her one
thought was that she could see him, and
when the cure was complete and the band
ages were removed. she ran to him, and,
trembling, pored over his features, shutting
her eyes now and then, and passing her fin
gers over his face as if TO make sure it was
he.
The father had noble head and presence,
and his every look and motion were watched
by his daughter with the keenest delight.
For the first time his constant tenderness and
care seemed real to her. If he caressed her,
or even looked upon her kindly, it brought
the tears to her eyes.
ITO think" she cried, holding his hand
close in hers, "that l had this father so many
wears and never knew him"
How many of us are like the little blind
child.
How many young men just entering life
have made no close friendships at school or
elsewhere because some bodily defect or pow
erty has soured their tempers, and made
them cynical and suspicious. II is their lot,
they think, to go alone through the world, to
find women shallow and men shams. Luck
is against them. They will have nothing to
do with friends; they will fight their own
way and ask help of none.
Women who know themselves to be plain
and unattractive often feel this morbid jeal-
ousy and bitterness; they case themselves in
a pride and reserve that keeps their lives
more solitary than could any prison walls.
The eyes of these souls are shut. If they
would open them, they would see that the
world is full of true and helpful friends wait
ing to work and be happy with them.
They would see unnumbered chances in
their own lives, however sorrowful or poor
| they may be, for healthy and cheerful work,
ship.
And under and above and around their un-
grateful, discontinued lives they would be
conscious of an Almighty love and tender
ness, holding them as the sunshine holds the
floating mote of dust.
Rothschild and the Communists.
During the revolutionary period in Paris
| in 1S4S a committee of seven Communists
called at the Rothschild establishment and de-
manded to see the famous banker. Roths-
child appeared, as suave as you please
pray be seated, gentlemen" said he; and
now what can do for your"
"Rothschild," said the Chairman OF the
committee, "our time has come at last The
people are triumphant-the Commune is on
top" -,
Good for the people-vive la Commune J.
| or;aI Potboobil1 ulpefnlV
"The time has come" continued the Chalr-
man of the committee, when each must
share equally with his fellow citizen. We
have been delegated to call upon you and in
| form you that you must share your enormous
wealth with your countrymen"
"If it is so decreed," said Rothschild, ur-
banely, Il shall cheerfully comply. At
how much is my fortune estimated ?"
"At 20O,000,000 francs" replied the leader,
boldly.
"And at what is the population of France
estimated ?" asked Rothschild.
1--WE figure it 5O,OO0000," was the answer:
"Well, then" said Rothschild, sit would
appear that l owe each of my countrymen
about francs. Now here, gentlemen" he
continued, putting his hands in his pockets
and producing lot of silver, 'here are
% francs for you. l have paid each of you,
have l notP Please give me your receipt
there and so, good day to you"
The committee retired and the Commune
never pestered the wary f1nancier again.