Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-07-11
Maggie --:Who Was Blind.
BY BERTHA SEAYEY sAyHiER.

and the rickety old banisters fairly
bristled with raggedy heads when he
called out the names of the fortunate
ones. Thus far he had not called
"Kimber," and Mercy often pursed
her lips aud told her clothes-pin dolls
that he never would.
A parade was ever great trial to
Mercy. She grew 80 excited and so
eager to be in 1t or near 1t that while
it was passing she had to Sand on
the very tip-toe OF one foot One
hand held the other foot while another
hand held fast to the window sill, and
the little solemn face was pressed
against q square of glass. Many a
time she thought of rushing down the
stairs. But she stayed. ''Mum Mag
gle" must be obeyed. Mum was little,
but she was mighty. She just had to
be obeyed.
"I'll 60 with you to down town
when Pm e." she used to say; ''that'n
make mo big 'nough, won't 6 years?"
Dear, DEAR" laughed Maggie.
'How could I ever get through the
crowds and crossings with only o baby
of 6 to see for me-"
The crowds were thicker than usual
one day-it was the day of the grand
parade. The president was passing
through the city on his way home to
Washington, aud the people were out
to welcome him. The noises roared,
and the feet tramped aud scuffed. The
little tin cup was emptied often, al
though Mrs. Maggie did not quite un-
derstand. She had not heard Of the
great parade. She read on and on;
then she listened and waited. At last
the notes of bugle reached her, then
the drum beats and the tramp, tramp
of feet. She ceased reading. A faint
shout came to her. The people were
cheering, and she heard the magic
name of the president as the sounds
became clearer.
A sudden fright possessed Maggie.
Evidently the parade was marching
toward her Office and she knew that
the sidewalks would be,iammed with
people, and she but g tiny. helpless
woman ,at the mercy of ths throng.
onward marchelt the fssg First
came the shouting boys and few men,
then men, women aud children.
Mamma Maggie had hardly a chance
to catch her breath before she was in
the midst of the rush, and actually
carried along. inch by inch, on the
smooth pavement as she sat in the low
little chair.
''The Lord is with me-" she
thought, us she folded her trembling
fingers over the big closed book. "He
will not suffer my feet to be moved.
She thought it in an agony; then
she resolved to say il. She made her
voice loud aud high-her strong street
voice she used. and at the clear words
q big man turned and looked down.
"You seem to be moving, though,
chair and ALL" he said. Here, boys,
lend hand. Lift her up"
Many strong hands laid hold of the
chair.
"What shall we do with her?" they
asked. "There's no place to set her
down."
"Carry her along, theu," was the
lusty answer.
And so, almost ut the head of the
crowd, sat "Mum Maggie, marching
to the measured tread of feet with the
baud playing and the president him.
self following in his carriage. And
the people shouted, aud the horset
chatIped and prauced and the presi.
dent did the honors.
''They are going south. and yer!
soon, at this rate, shall be home, y
thought Maggie. IT never expected
to go home in such state. Please sci
me down at Peck's place." she called
to the big man on her left.
''Live therc?" he asked. "Whal
number?"
Seventeen" she answered, in grea
relief.
"All right. Boys, turn of at Peck's
place, No. IT." The big man lin
eered when the others had hastenet
back to the main street. Seventeen
Peck's place" he pondered-" "Peck'i
place." Then he took from his ves'
pocket little soft covered book anc
turned It's leaves. "Here 'tis," b,
said, "Peck's place. Do you know
Mra Maggie Kimber living at thii
place?"
'.Thatis my name, futtered Mothel
Maggie.
''No! is it? Well, we'll" Their.
was pause. Wonder and surprise
kept both the big man and the LITTLE
woman silent.
'Why did you never-what are yo1
-well!" The big man seemed to b.
unable to express himself. Itwas th,
little woman who Strengthened him.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Why, you know, I'm one of th'
board. I'm president of the board TO
the home for the blind. Why did 20,
not reply to the letter of the secre
tary?"
Maggie gasped and fell back agains
the wall of the passageway. IL neve
got the letter. never had any let
ter" she said. ''Was there vacan
cy?"
"Yss, there was a vacancy" The BIZ
man actually trembled. as he realized
what it meant to this helpless littl
woman. He longed to say something
comforting, but there was nothing t.
say.
"I don't know who is to blame, b
was saying, when the sound of th
carriers whistle nearly drowned hi
words, and IN a. moment the postma
was OF the door.
"Here!" demanded the big man
"Do you know about letter directe
to Mrs. Maggie Kimber?"
The postman dropped his whistle a
the sudden attack. 'Why, yes, I do
And 1 delivered it, too. I remembers
it because it was a new name. T. ha
never had any mail for that party bs