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THE ATHENS GEORGIAN : FEBRUARY 13, 1877.
TRIXY.
“ Fiuifhed at last !’’
Martin Bruco spoke the words
with a sigh of utter weariness, and
lifted his head from his work, taking
his magnifying glass from one eye
as he did so. Upon the table before
him was a large steel plate, on which
he had engraved a design requiring
the most delicate and careful work,
and to which be had given several
days of continuous labor. As he
looked at it, completed, the express
sion of proud pleasure involuntary
upon the face of a man who finished
a piece of work satisfactoaily became
clouded.
“ That poor child!’’ ho muttered,
and listened to a cry of suppressed
sobbing coining from above his half
opened door. With the clond still
upon his face, he weir, to the landing
and looked up the narrow staircase
leading to the attic. As he expected,
he saw a little figure crouched upon
the upper stair, the head bent low
over folded arms, the bare feet tucked
up under ragged skirts. The sob
bing, through distinctly audible, was
evidently carefully choked down.
“ Trixy!” Martin said in a low
tone.
In a moment the child was beside
him with a quick, darting motion
that suited well the slender figure,
thin to painful angularity, the face
that was almost impish in its look of
want and precocity.
Martin Bruce tall and strong, with
a handsome, blonde face, beut low
aud met the gaze of her large in
tensely black eyes, swollen and in
flamed by tears. Silently he lifted
the child, and taking her into his own
room, closed the door.
“ What’s the matter new ?” he
asked.
“ I dropped the biggest pitcher,
full of milk.”
“ Whew 1”
“ I couldn’t help it!” sobbed the
child, “ it was so heavy that my fin
gers got all stilt with ache, and be
fore I knew it my wrists just gave a
twist, and down it all went !**
“Whipped?”
4ij0h,;didn^t she t ^e l’^ (
And a ragged frock was slipped
down to show the sickening welts
upon the thru shoulders. Martin
Bruce gave a shudder as he looked,
and going to a wash-stand brought
some arnica, which he mixed in cool
water and tenderly bathed the
wounds with an old. handkerchief.
“ Does it hurt much ?” he asked,
as the poor child winced under his
touch.
“ Oh, my—I mean yes, sir! But
I don’t mind; I know you’ll make
it better. Oh !” and again the tears
broke out. I wish I was dead
“ You are two young to wish that,
Trixy.’’
“ I’m fourteen, if I ant little*”
“Fourteen! How time flics! It
6eems only yesterday since I found
you crying on the stairs, and it is
three years ago!’’
Trixy nestled close to the hand ex
tended to caress her gently, as these
words were spoken—the only hand
in the big boarding house that was
ever filled with kindness for her.
She was one of the New York waifs
from an alrahouse, bound out t(> a
cross task-mistress, who had been
Hvstematically tyrannical from the
first hour she had the child under her
rule. Overtasked, half starved and
whipped, Trixy was stunted, thin
and miserable in appearance, while
her ignorance in all useful knowledge
was balanced by a precocity truly
wonderful in dodging her tasks and
evading her punishments. -
“A nasty, deceitful little baggage!”
Mrs. Hays declared her to be, and it
was mournfully true.
Bnt Martin Bruce, who occupied
one of the back rooms Mrs. Hays
provided fur boarders, had been
moved with tender compassion for
the child from the first time he
found her sobbing out her misery on
the attic stairs. Many an orange
or packet of cake had Trixy munched
in Mr. Bruce’s room, when she was
supposed to be doing penance in her
wretched closet, only by courtesy a
room. ' Many a cool lotion had been
put upon smarting cuts and welts by
Mr. Bruce's tender hands. Many a
tender caress and kind word had
passed the bearded lips to comfort
Trixy.
Others bad come and gone, and
been kind one day and cross the next,
as the mood seized them; but Mr.
Bruce never varied in kind words
and acts, though he often gravely re
proved Trixy for her very conspicu
ous faults, and tried to . correct her
vulgarity of word and thought.
It would be impossible to give any
adequate idea of the worshipping
affection the child gave in return for
this kindly interest. All goodness,
all manly perfection, was to her em
bodied in the tall, blonde man who
came between her and her tyrant,
and comfort her grief.
“ Fourteen,” he said again. “Trixy
it Is time you were at school, if you
are ever to go!”
“ Away from you ?”
“ I am going to Paris.”
Utter blank misery fe|l over the
child’s face.
“ To Paris ?” she whispered, with
white, shaking lips.
“ Yes, Trixy, for three years. You
will bu quite a woman when I come
back.”
“ Yes,” faint and shuddering.
“ And I must get you away from
here.”
No easy task, as Martin Bruce
soon discovered. He was not a rieh
man, though his salary as an engraver
was a very good one, aud it required
some personal sacrifice to carry out
his plans for Trixy. Mrs. Hays
would not part with her slave, except
“ for a consideration and after this
was accomplished, a difficulty was
found in selecting a school in which
to place her. But at last one was
found in a small country town, and
Trixy most sincerely promised to
study diligently, and prove herself
worthy of the kindness bestowed
upon her.
The parting was a sore wrench,
but Martin Bruce was happy in the
consciousness that he had done all
for the child that lay in his power.
For four years his letters from Trixy
proved beta: rapid progress in ^jtcry
study she undertook, her unchanging
gratitude )to her bertefactor. Then
she wrote that she ha 1 been offered
a situation to travel with an invalid
lady, and would probably be in Paris
before the letter has been there many
days. Every line of this communica
tion was full of gratitude for the op
portunities given the little waif for
culture and happiness, and the sense
of pleasnre it gave her to bo no lon
ger an idle burden to her benefac
tor.
“ So ends that chapter!” the young
man said, half sadly, as he folded the
closely written sheet. “ My wild
bird has left her nest, and must try
her wings alone. \Vell, ’tis best so,
as things threaten!’’
And the strong right hand was
passed wearily over the largo blue
eyes, with a deep sigh.
Two years later, in a hotel at Nice,
a beautiful girl, dressed in deep
mourniug, and an elderly woman,
who seemed a sort of a confidential
servant, were seated upon the wide
piazza, watching the groups who
passed and repassed in a large public
square opposite to where they were
placed.
Suddenly the girl, who had been
carelessly scanning the many unfamil
iar faces, grasped her companion’s
arm, saying: “ Do you know who
that is ?” pointing, as she spoke, to a
tall man, with a shade over his eyes
who was seated upon a bench in the
square.
‘•Yes, ma’atnselle,’’ said the ser
vant in French, “that is the blind
gentleman who is here under the care
of Dr. Bonnaire. But is it not dread
ful ! So handseme—so strong—and
hopelessly blind!”
'* Hopelessly blind ?”
“ So they say. Ho was injured by
the work that he did—flue work that
tried his eyes. I do hot know what
it was. And ho came hero to Dr.
Bonnaire, hoping to bo cured. * But
it is useless; he can never see again.”
The young lady rose as her ser
vant spoke, and, crossing the piazza,
stepped lightly down the steps and
the blind man was seated. Without
preface, without introduction, she
said: “ I think, sir, I recognize you
as a gentleman who placed a child in
a school in Connecticut some years
ago—a school where I was' arteachcr
for some time."
Thu sightless eyes were tnroed
quickly toward the speaker.
“ I was deeply interested in such a
child. Can you give me any tidings
of her?”
“ She left the school to trawl with
Mrs. Elwyn, an elderly lady in feeble
health. Before she had been six
months with Mrs. Elwyn that lady
was convinced that she had found
the child of a very dear sister, who
had eloped from homo years ^before,
and whose life and death had been
ever shrouded in mystery. Further
inquiry only confirmed the facts, as
the child remembered them; aud
I*-*, . •.
when Mrs. Elwyn died here, in Nice,
six months ago, she left h^* entire
property to Beattrice Moore, her
neice.” -
“ Then, Trixy is an heiress ?”
" Yes. It was one of the marvel
ous dispensations of Providence, we
dare call accident, that took Mrs.
Elwyn to the school. There Trixy’s
strong resemblance J.o her lost sister
first attracted her notice, and she in
qtiired about her. Finding she was
anxious to obtain employment, she
engaged her as a companion fora
traveling trip.”
“ I am very glad ! Do you know
where she is ?”
A little hand fell lightly npon one
lying on the knee of MartlmBruee,
and his was' lifted to touch a soft,
round cheek. A voice low and ten
der, said, very softly: “ Have you
forgoi ten ?”
“ Trixy ?” he exclaimed. M I have
never ’'forgotten yon. But you are
no longer the little child I left six
years ago.’’
“ No,” was the half mournful an
swer. “‘I, am a woman now. But
you will not send me front yon. Yon
wifi let pie remain beside you, and
be your eyes and hands ?”
“ Ah, Trixy, nq!
beauty—for I know you are beauti
ful—must never, be taxed by such a
heavy charge. Dq you know that in
less than a year I shall have to find a
home in a charity asylum ? You will
come si tuetimes and read to me
there, perhaps ?”
“ Nevt^! I will never come to a
charity asylum to see you. You
break my heart when you talk so!’’
‘* Well, little one, then we’ll hope
for better days!” * .* *» 1
Trixy’s lip quivered at the attempt
to speak in the old, cheery tones that
had comforted all her childhood’s
miseries. Her eyes wore dim with
tears as she spoke again, hojfing to
carry sumo brightness to the dark
ened fife.
Poor blind Martin Bruce, who had
lifted her from the darkest misery
and suffering to placo her where she
could improve—who hud put her
where her aunt had discovered and
adopted her—her benefactor and qnly
friehd—a helpless, blind pauper!
Was it wonderful that ihe woman’s
heart thrilled with pain and love,
aud that the gratitude of years sud»
denly confronted her in anew form—
the love of her woman’s heart ? She
realized suddenly, forcibly, that if
Marlin Bruce passed out of her life
again, lie left there a void never to
be filled. Pity and gratitude seemed
only feeble names when love spruug
up strong and true, and Trixy recog
nized its power. *
But all maidenly reticence held her
silent^ for many days, every one of
which found her in the square beside
Maitin Bruce, winning answering
love by her tender care for his help
lessness, her sparkling conversation,
her womanly sweetness.
It was a strange courtship, where
the woman wooed, where the man
worshipped. Little by little,|Martin
Bruce acknowledged to his own heart
that the loss of his eyes was light
compared with the loss ho anticipa
ted—the loss of Trixy’s voice and
Trixy’s touch. The summer was
coming, and the doctor was urging
Martin Brace to try the effect of some
famous German baths, when Trixy
received letters from New York that
necessitated her return to look after
some of her aunt’s property.
The prospect of separation nerved
her as no other prospect conld have
done, and she sought the bench where
she had met Martin Brace daily,
with a resolution that made her cheek
burn.
“ Martin,” she said gently, “ bnt
few women 'dare to take their life’s
happiness into their own bands—
waiting, hoping till another comes to
put it before them. A maiden may
not woo, they say, and so they wait
till their hearts grow sick for fear
they may be thought unmaidenly.’’
Here site paused, watching the
pallor, the breathless eagerness of the
face lifted toward her.
4 ‘ Trixy,” her lover said, “ you de
ceive yourself. You think gratitude
forces yon to’’—
A soft hand closed his lips.
“ Do you love me, Martin ?”
“ With my whole heart!’’
“ As I love yon!”
“Trixy, I dare not take you at
your word!’’
“ But you will! I have loved you
for six years, Martin. I will not lose
you again!’’
And - she kept her word. Those
who speak with pity of “poor Mrs.
Bruce, whose husband is totally
blind,” know nothing of the deep,
abiding love that makes Trixy’s life
of devotion and self-sacrifice a life of
pure happiness, shadowed only by
sorrow for her husband’s affliction.
W. B. OOX. W. R. H-LL. JO!. THOMPSON, Jr.
COX, HILL & THOMPSON,
Wholesale Dealers in
Foreign and Domestic liquors &c.,
No 29 PEACHTREE ST., ATLANTA, GA.
And Dlstillera of t'.-i Stone Monutnin Com
Whiskey.
oct.St.ly.
A Hew Mammoth Establishment.
For Sale.
A second-hand Wheeler <fc Wilson Sewin'*
Machine; inis been bnt little used and is in per
fect order, For sale cheap for cash. Apply at
aug29-tf. THIS OFFICE.
Fun for tlie Boys and Girls*
The nigh Fly Kite, the Diamond Kite, Skip
ping Ropes, New Styles, Grace Hoops, Tops,
Marbles, Croquet Sets, Rase Balls, Ac., for sale
cheap at BURKE’S BOOKSTORE.
iiiuy2S-tf.
FAIR NOTICE!
From this date, I cannot continue
to charge goods to those persons who
do not
PAY PUNCTUALLY ON PRESENTATION
of their bills. This rule is impera
tive, and my clerks are instructed
not to depart from it in any case. If
yon know that your last month’s ac
count has not been settled, don't ask
for credit, sis it will uot be given.
Circumstances force rae to adopt this
rule. T. A. Burke,
Bookseller and Stationer.
ootSl—tf.
MEDICAL NOTICE.
At the solicitation of many of my former pat
rons, I resume the •
[Practice of Aledicine
from this date. I will pay especial attention to
the disease of Infants and Children, and the
Chronio Diseases pi Females.
WM. KING, M. D.
juno 18, 1875—33-ly.
CASH FOB. WOOl.,
—OR—
CLOTH FOR VVOQL.
The Athens Manafacturing Company are now
making a mpeh larger variety of Woolen Ooods
than ever* before, aud propose to
Exchange them for Wool,
believing it to be more to the interest of th%
Planter to Exchange the Wool for Cloth, rather
than have it Corral and 8pun at home. Call for
Samples and Terms ot Exchange.
B. L. BLOOMFIELD, Agent,
may 19,1875-2«-tf
G. S. DUBE’S
line Whisky and Brandy .
Parties desiring to purchase, by wholesale,
pure Brandy or Whisky, will find it to their in
terest to onrehase from the undersigned, sole
agent of (l. S. Duke, to eell by wholesale his
Fine, Pure Whisky and Brandy. The pipes
throngh which the O. S. Duke Whisky and
Bnndy are distilled, are made of wood. Every
gjlon .mnt*d pnrg ^
decS-tf Jefferson, Ga.
son <£ Co,
NOW OCCDPY THEIR NEW STORE.
Wholesale Department
Flour a Specialty.
We are Agents for Two of the Best Mills in the Country, and Guarantee every Sock Sold.
Corn, Meat, Molasses and Sugars,
AT WHOLESALE PRICES.
FERTILIZERS.
NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COMING CROP.
Th.e Best is tlie Claeapest!
CASH OR COTTON OPTION AT 15c„
WE HANDLE ONLY STRICTLY FIRST-CUSS GOODS,
I! J I I •' ■' }>
Come and see for TTourselves.
y
' The proof of the pudding is the chewing of the* bag-’
PLANTERS’ HOTEL,
,m4i A
' AUGUSTA, (JEORKIA.
NEW ARB.ANOE!MEiKrT.
Bates Bedneed to $3 per Day.
HAYING LEASED THIS WELL KNOWN HOTEL, I enter
upon its management by Reducing Rates, and asking of the Travel
ing Public, especially my friends of Carolina and Georgia, a continu
ance of that liberal support they have always given it.
B. F. BROWN,
jan2S-5m * FORMERLY OF CHARLESTON, PROPRIETOR.
John Merryman & Co.’s,
AMMONIATED DISSOLVED BONE
AND ACID PHOSPHATE,
1
The Cheapest and most popular Fertilizers in use.
Brices in Atnens, Georgia =
Ammoniated Dissolved Bone, cash - ■ • $50 00
bone,titne with 15c cotton option 72 00
Acid Phosphate, cash 40 00
Acid phosphate, time with 15c cotton option 00 00
Time Sale Payable by First November,
Without interest, with option of paying i
livered in our Warehouse in Athens, Ga.
jan23
Without interest, with option of paying in cotton of a grade not below middling at 15c., de-
REAVES & NICHOLSON.
Agents, Athens, Ga.
To Bent!
THE best, Stores, Offices, Shops, Warehouse,
Dwelling Houses &c. - E. P. BISHOP,
aig.l.tf. No. 1. Broad St., up stun.
ZE^IEHMIO'VA.L I
THE ATHENS OFFICE FOR THE SALE OF
Singer Sewing Machine
• Removed February 1st, 1877, to
Lester’s Building, (Upstairs) Over Talmadge, H. & Co.,
2,000,000 in Use—Sales in Excess of all Others.
THE SINGER MANUFACTURING COXPANT, G. ... HOPE, AGENT, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA.
Ask your neighbors which Machine is the best; then buy the Sin 0 er.
R. T. MEANY, Agent for Singer Sewing Macliines,
Lester’s Building, (Upstairs,) Athens, Georgia.
july.4.1y. , \ *