The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-10-28
LOVE rs BLIND.

The following is vouched for by one G.
b. Taylor, correspondent of the Green
Bay Gazette:
MIR. William Bruce, a gentlemen living
IN comfortable circumstances upon the
bank OF Suamico river, Suamico, Brown
county, Wis, is highly respected by the
community in which he lives, as has been
evinced by his Being elected, from time TO
time, to fill most of the various township
offices, He has also enjoyed most of the
blessings of life, being in good health and
pecuniary circumstances, having valu-
able farm and pleasant home But
one thing was lacking to make home all
gladness-a helpmate to share with him
the joys of the household
Last winter his niece, from Pennsylva<
MIA, visited him, and, discovering his
want, gave him the address of lady
friend of hers, living near Linn, Susque-
hanna county, Pennsy lvania, and recon-
mended her as every way suitable to adorn
his name. Her name is Mary Knapp,
who was consort of the late Justus
Knapp, of Lynn, Pa. She is an inleli-
gent, cultivated, and highly respected
lady, and beloved by all who know her.
A correspondence Immediately sprang up
between them, and love grew and thrived
even through a medium as matter Cf- fact
as Uncle Sans mails, and finally resulted
in an engagement. About this time her
affianced had an attack of neuralgia,
which settled 10 his eyes, and so affected
them that within four months after they
had become engaged he was almost totally
blind. Though be had become very much
attached TO her through the eorrespon-
dence, yet sense of duty led him to IN
form her of his misfortune, and to extend
an offer to release her from her engages
me2t. Thereupon she wrote him a very
kind and sympathetic letter, in which she
stated that if he were doomed to suffer
for life the awful affection of blindness.
he was much more than ever in need of
wife TO care for him through life and
Tighten the burden of his dark and dismal
pilgrimage upon earth and therefore that
she had no desire to be released from the
solemn compact Of marriage which she
had taken.
However, a few weeks ago, the expec-
tant bride arrived. and the meeting with
the betrothed was warm and affectionate,
but, of course, somew hat tdisadvautageous
Soon afterward | accompanied him TO the
Eye Infirmary at Chicago, to learn if any
relief from his blindness could be afforded
but, alas no encouragement was given.
Prof Holmes pronounced it dropsy of the
eye, disease so far advanced as TO admit
of no hopes of recovery. Returning home
with sad and heavy heart, this fate was
disclosed 10 his bride and relatives
Though touched to the heart with sorrow
yet even this did not dissuade her from
her noble purpose TO assume for life the
burden to care for one who had suddenly
| become as a child, but who had spent
many years in active toll.
The wedding day was appointed, and
the nuptials were celebrated August 9Th,
1871, by which time he had become it
may be said, totally blind, not having,
sight enough to enable him TO distinguish
one from another of his own family -
The pair are now, however, living in con-
nubial bliss. And why shouldn't they
She renders unto him with kindly hand
and heart every act Of kindness in her
power, attending TO every want and need
with a watchful eye; and he fully ap-
preciates it all with feelings of greatfui-
ness
As he has never had the pleasure of see-
ing her whom he has promised to ''love
honor, and CHERISH" who can deny, in this
case, the truth of the adage, ''Love is
blind 90 "Love at first sight" has always
been considered a rare phenomenon OF the
tender passion-but what is love without
sight at all p?