Page:Blind Allan (2).pdf/22

 22 Will. It may, therefore, be truly said, that when the blameless man once more lifted up his seeing eyes, in all things he beheld God.

Soon after this time, a small Nursery-garden between Roslin and Lasswade, a bank sloping down gently to the Esk, was on sale, and Allan Bruce was able to purchase it. Such an employ- ment seemed peculiarly fitted for him, and also compatible with his other profession. He had ac- quired, during his blindness, much useful informa- tion from the readings of his wife or children; and having been a gardener in his youth, among his many other avocations, he had especially extended his knowledge respecting flowers, shrubs, and trees. Here he follows that healthy, pleasant, and intelligent occupation. Among his other assistant Gardeners there is one man with a head white as snow, but a ruddy and cheerful countenance, who, from his self-importance, seems to be the proprie- tor of the garden. This is Allan's Father, who lives in a small cottage adjoining, takes care of all the gardening tools, and is master of the bec- hives. His old Mother, too, is sometimes seen weeding; but oftener with her grandchildren, when in the evenings, after school, they are playing on the green plat by the Sun Dial, with flowers gar- landed round their heads, or feeding the large trout in the clear silvery well near the roots of the celebrated Pear Tree.