Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-06-14
Maggie Who Was Blind.
8Y BERTHA sEAvEy sAyNiE1.

j
upon that letter. Mum Maggie could
give up the movable Office when the
letter had come. 1t had been ex-
pected for two years-ever since Papa
John died. 1t was going to give Mum
Maggie the first place that was vacant
among the teachers at the school for
the blind where Papa John had
taught.
And SO when the postman stood at
the street door and whistled, Mercy
ran to the stairway and listened.
Everyone on all the floors did, too,
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 and told her clothes pin dolls
that he never would.
A parade was ever a great trial to
| Mercy. She grew so excited and so
eager to be in it or near 1T that while
it was passing she had to stand 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 square of glass. Many
time she thought of rushing down the
stairs. But she stayed. Mum Mag
gie'' must be obeyed. Mum was little,
but she was mighty. She just had to
be obeyed.
'1'll go with you to down town
when I'm g." she used to say; ''that'll
make me big 'nough, won't years"
Dear, DEAR" laughed Maggie
''How could I ever get through the
crowds and crossings with only baby
of 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, and the people were out
to welcome him. The noises roared,
and the feet tramped and 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 jammed with
people, and she but tiny, helpless
woman at the mercy of the throng.
Onward marched the feet. First
came the shouting boys and few men,
then men, women and children.
Mamma Maggie had hardly 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, as 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 it. She made her
voice loud and high-her strong street
voice she used, and at the clear words
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?" thew
asked. ''Ihere's no place to set her
down."
Garry her along, then," was the
lusty answer.
And SO, almost at the head of the
crowd, sat Mum Maggie, marching
to the measured tread of feet with the
band playing and the president him.
self following in his carriage. And
the people shouted, and the horses
champed and pranced and the presi-
dent did the honors.
They are going south, and very
soon, at this rate, shall be home"
thought Maggie. II never expected
to go home in such state. Please set
me down at Peck's place." she called
to the big man on her left.
Live there?" he asked. "What
NUMBER"
Seventeen, she answered, in great
relief.
"All right. Boys. turn off at Peck's
place, No. H." The big man lin
gered when the others had FASTENED
back to the main street. Seventeen.
Peck's place" he pondered "Peck's
place" Then be took from his vest
rocket little soft covered book and
tened its leaves. ''Here tis," he
san, "Peck's place. Do you know
a Mis-. Maggie Kimber living at this
place."
"Thstis my name, futtered Mother
! Maggie.
mo! is it? Well. wellr' There
was pause. Wonder and surprise
kept both the big man and the little
woman silent.
WHY did you never--what are you
l-well!" The big man seemed to be