The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-13
SOME OF TIE BLIND.
Those who have Neither Wealth nor Wealthy
Friends 10 support Them.

The Blackwelrs Island Refuge for the
Destitute Blind OF New York is surrounded by
grounds that were evidently laid out for the
comfort Of those that wero destined to inhabit
II. The women's side Is separated from that In
habited by the males by large square grass
plot. hanked by two avenues. beneath whose
leafy shade the aged women OF the establish
ment sit and enjoy their after dinner chat, and
perhaps sing the songs OF their youthful days.
Though there are many blind persons In the
slmshouse, there are as yet in tho women's de-
partment only two wards. wards 20 and "a. a
long, low-ceiled room, with walls and boarded
floor Of almost painful wnteness and cleanli-
ness.
At q large table In the middle OF Ward 20,
when the reporter entered. sat the siehtless pro-
teges Of the Institutions chatting ulerrily over
their almshouse dinner. Ten plump, comfort
able little beds each with a coverlit OF snowy
whiteness, were ranged symmetrically on the
sides 81 the ward. aud the wall at the head Of
many Of these beds was ornamentod with reli-
Rious symbols ana pictures. The blind women
In the institution are mostly aged Or OF middle
ace. Two are III aidens, tho younger Is years Of
age, and the elder IS. though she does not look
L. On the beds Of those two girls, which are
side by side. lay various pretty specimens OF
fancy bead work, executed with wonderful
finish and exactness Of proportion, when IL Is
considered that the hands that fashioned them
had no other sense TO guide them ia an that
OF touch. The blind girls are permitted TO sell
these pretty specimens OF their skill and indus
try To visitors and do what they please with the
money they get.
After their dinner. the women arose from the
table and dispersed, each feeling her way to Dor
own ped ana then doing whatever her inclina-
ton and limited powers suggested. with few
exceptions. the occupants OF the blind wards In
the Blackwells Isl md AlmshOuse are natives OF
Ireland. 1hey ere persons upon whom the pail
OF blindness has fallen. not one OF tho numb
having been blind from birth. The younger Of
the two girls In the institution. in reply to the
reporters questions. said that when child,
three We rs old, she caught cold In her ewes, and
that physician In Fifth street burned them
with caustic.
There are two cases OF sudden blindness that
struck the victims without symptom or warn
ing. The story OF Margaret Meagher. one OF the
latter Is interesting. Eighteen or twenty wears
ago her husband ana her only son. then twenty
years Of age. were lost IN the steamship
Arctic. owing 10 this calamity she WIS Obliged
vide Tor herself and her youngest daughter,
whom Sh0 sent 10 relative In MiddlstOwn. On
the way one day TO visit her daughter she W
struck with bliudness when within short dis
suddenly, without either pain or warning. that
fur long Iime she could not realize the fact
that IL was blindness.
The reporter fosnd the majority OF the male
blind In the reading room, having the journals
read TO them, and seemingly ~ much interested
the most Keen sighted Of men. I'VE have The
sun and the Herald read every day, explained
the gem Al warden Of the ain shOu~e, MI ought,
"and my chickens are Informed OF all that Is
either, for leave them tue privilege oi the first
reading"