The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-05-20
THE DREAM OF HER LIFE HAD VAN
ISHED WITH HER RETURNING
EYESIGHT.

| A young physician, who had left his
native town in boyhOod, returned to it to
practice his profession. He found the
people so changed that he felt himself
almost among strangers. One day,
while walking about the streets, he saw
what looked like familiar face and form
in negro looking at street corner. 1t
was Tony, the boy who had been his
playmate in childhood. SIS that you,
Tony?" he called. ''Howdy, Marse
Frank?" cried Tony with delight, and
cordial handshake renewed the friend
ship;
'How is mammy?" was the doc
tors first question. us she still
alive?'
Yes, sir. She's on the old plantation,
but she's been blind long time. Use
just come back, too, and when 1 went to
see her, the first thing she wanted to
know was about YOU"
1t was not many days before the doc
tor went to see her, and upon examining
her eyes, found strong probability that
sight might be restored by means of an
operation. He persuaded her to let him
try. A few weeks later an interested
group was gathered in the doctors
office.
A slender, fair haired man, the doctor,
was bending over a chair in which sat an
old negro woman, while behind the chair
stood Tony, silently worshiping the man
who could give eyes to the blind. The
doctor was untying bandage from the
woman's eyes.
'Now, nanny" he said, 81 am going
to uncover your eyes. Who is the first
person you would like to see?"
you, honey" replied the woman, in
trembling tones.
But Tony is here. Don't you want
to see him before any one else?'
mo, Marse Frank" repeated the wom-
an. LET it be him what give me back
my sight"
The doctor slowly removed the band
age and stood facing the chair, look of
intense interest on his face, How would
the operation result?
Now, nanny" he said, 'open your
eyes,"
A subdued light filled the room. The
woman Enclosed her eyes and looked up
her face quivering with emotion, while
her hands clutched nervously at her
dress.
A look of great disappointment swept
over her face. The doctor noted. SIS it
possible that the operation has failed?''
he thought.
No Before her she saw standing tall,
bearded man, not a line of whose face
was familiar.
"Please, sir, where is Marse Frank?'
she asked politely.
mot know me? Why, you'll be for
getting Tony next, mammym exclaimed
the doctor, and he smiled with pleasure.
That smile! She would have known it
the world over. Dropping upon her
knees she caught both his hands in her
own and sobbed.
my baby, what 1 carried in these
arms, done growed to be great big
man when l 'spected to see a little
boym
Tony came from behind the chair.
"Hyah's Tony, nanny"
He lifted her from the floor to the
chair, and she turned to gaze at him.
Little Tony, too, done growed to be
big and ies' like his daddy! But, oh! |
miss my boys, dem two little boys what
ulster to run together into all sorts Nv
mischief and foolishness."
The memory of the past almost over
; came the JOY of the present. Tears were
streaming down her withered cheeks.
There, nanny you must not do that
You'll spoil all my work. Here, Tony,
take her home in the buggy. You must
keep quiet, nanny, till 1 see you again,
or you'll give me the name of being a
poor doctor"
"Thank you, Marse Frank, and fur
give me-" she said humbly, and we nj
out.
Poor nanny! The dream of her life
had vanished with her returning sight
Her two little boys were gone forever
Youths Companion.