The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1892-06-15
SIGHTLESS SORROW.
SAD FUNERAL OF A LITTLE BLIND
CHILD.
APE cuiiarly sad Funeral as Witnessed by
Two Little Girls.

Il lOAh an 1-ACltlSC.
The article in the News last Saturday
about the Institu ton of the Blind has
attracted much attention valued
friend of this paper sends, as apropos of
its publication, the following sketch,
which we are sure will be appreciated by
News readers:
A pleasant morning in busy city:
The sunshine floods the parks and lawns
and street with brilliance, though light
clouds collect occasionally, as though
wishing TO obscure the brightness on
account of the sad hearts beneath them
But the sad hearts do not belong to
two little girls tripping down a cross
street; laughter and chat and the impor-
tance of ''going somewhere and bright
ening their faces and quckening their
steps. The older of the two is stran-
ger in the city, and what pleasure it af
fords her little companion to be able to
impart information concerning different
street and buildings.
But their progress and merry chatter
are suddenly stopped by little company
of persons collected in front of large
building, and OBTAINING hand forbds
them passing the iron gate which is wide
open What does it mean? They look
at each other, and the smaller one whis-
pers: II wonder what is the matter
This is the blind asylum
Two words from bystander; ga fun
eral, explains everything, and, with the
awed feeling which death always inspir-
es, the two children stand in silence with
the little company awaiting permission
to pass on.
The sun is hidden now, and the shadow
and silence seem to have taken the place
of sunshine and activity.
A measured sound is heard, signifying
the slow tramp of coming feet. The
two little girls press close to the iron
fence and gaze through the bars at the
scores Of children, many of them of their
own age, each with the right hand on
the shoulder of the one in front with
barred, bowed heads and sightless eyes,
marching slowly to position on either
side Of the broad stone walk. The ST.
lence is oppressive. The very stiffness
of death seems to brood over the place,
broken only by an occasional sob from
one of the poor blind children The
procession moves slowly down the broad
steps, followed by a little company of
mourning friends, and as the pall-bear-
ers carry their burden between the lines
of sightless, sorrowing children, tears
are on every face and many child's sor.
row bursts forth in sobs. Though the
childrOn outside the gate know the names
ofneither the deadnor the living, yet rea-
dy tears come in very symathy for the
children inside the gate.
The clouds become lmore leaden and
few drops OF rain patter hesitatingly
down. Happy the dead the rain falls
on"
The BACKED draped funeral car re-
ceiveS its burden, the low voice of the
undertaken is heard assigning friends to
their carriages, and the sorrowful COM
pany moves slowly away. Silently and
sadly the hand of each blind child is
placed on the shoulder of the one in
front Slowly they file back to their &C
custO med places, each head bowed with
sorrow and grief
Chow they loved their superinten-
dentr' said one of the bystanders outside
of the gate
"And he was man worthy of such
love!' rejoined his companion.
The two little girls look at each other
and move on down the street with clasp
ed hands, silently sympathizing with
those more unfortunate than themselves.
Only an incident in an otherwise
happy day, yet an indelible i'm
preston of love and devotion is left
on the mind Of one OF those children.
The sun soon shines again, and smiles
and chatter are not long absent from the
merry lips Of childhood.
But after many years, when one of
those children learned the name of that
neutrality-suspicious. to be Churchman,
the whole scene came back with vivid
distincmess, aud she asked herself the
question; lis not life that can inspire
such love the grandest life of all?
Is not such love worth more than all
Che wealth, fame or honors the world
can offer?"