The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-10-29

Os
almost distracted. Blind, blind, blind!
l should be blind foreverl So entirely
had lost heart that began to think
would not have tho operation performed
at all. Why fly against fatep For the
rest Of my life was doomed to dark
ness. The subtlest skill, the most deli
cate hand, the most modern appliances
would never restore the light | had lost
For me the world was at an end
Now that you know the cause, can
you not imagine me, after weeks of
darkness, broken in spirit, and, as / lay
sleepless that night, almost wishing that
the alternative refused by Job-to
curse God and die-were miner II you
are unable to realize my condition,
read the above to any one who has lost
his sight. He will tell you what his
feelings were when the calamity first
came upon him. He will understand the
depths Of my woe!
was not left entirely alone in my
trouble. Like Job, I had oomforters;
but, unlike Eliphaz and Company, they
were good-hearted fellows who spoke
with cheerful conviction as to the GER
tainty OF my recovery. was not so
grateful for these visits as l should
have been. l hated the thought of any
one seeing me in my helpless condi-
ton Day by day my frame of mind
grew more and more desponding and
morbid.
My best friend of all was humble
one: Priscilla Drew, an old and trusted
servant of my mothers. She had
known me from earliest childhood.
When returned to England could not
bear the thought of trusting my help
less self entirely to a strangers care,
/ wrote to her and begged her to come
to me. l could at least groan and
lament before her without feeling
shame. She came, wept over me for
awhile, and then, like a sensible wom-
an, bestirred herself to do all she could
to mitigate the hardships Of my lot. She
found comfortable lodgings, installed
her troublesome charge therein, and
day and Dight was ever at his beck and
call Even now, as | lay awake and
tossing in mental anguish, she was
sleeping on an extemporized bed just
/ outside the folding doors, which opened
from my bedroom to the sitting
/ room.
1t was a sitting night in August.
The sluggish air which creps in through
the open window made little perceptible
! difference in the temperature of my
room. Everything seemed still, hot
and dark. The only sound / could hear
was the regular breathing Of the sleep
er behind the door, which she had left
an inch or two ajar in order that she
might catch my faintest call. l had
gone early to bed. What had to wait
up for nowp 1t was sleep and sleep
alone which brought forgetfulness; but
tonight sleep refused to come TO me.
struck my repeater. l had bought
one in order that might, at least, know
the time The little bell told me that it
was Just one o'clock. Craving for sleep
1 sighed, and sank back upon my pill
low.
Presently u sudden, fierce longing to
be out OF doors came over me. 1t was
night-very few people would be about.
There was broad pavement in front
Of the row Of houses In one of which /
lodged. Up and down this might
walk in perfect safety. Even il I only
sat on the doorstep It would be better
than lying In this close, hot room, toss
Ing from side to side unable to sleep.
The desire took such full possession
Of me that l was on the point Of calling
old Priscilla and making her aware Of
It; but knowing she was sleeping sound
ly, hesitated. had been unusually
restless, cross and exacting during the
day, and my old nurse-Heaven re-
ward her!-was serving me for love,
not for money. Why should l disturb
herP Lot me begin to learn to help
myself like Others in my wretched
plight l had already acquired this
much, to dress without assistance. II
could now do this and leave the room
unheard, could, l felt sure, grope my
way to the front door, let myself out,
and, whenever | chose, return by the
aid Of the latchkey. The thought Of
even temporary independence was
attractive, and my spirits rose as l re-
solved to make the attempt.
| crept softly from my bed, and SLOW
ly but easily dressed myself, hearing
all the while the sleeper's regular
breathing. Then, cautious as thief,
stole to the door which led from my
bedroom to the landing. opened il
without noise and stood on the thick
carpet outside, smiling as / thought Of
the sleeper's dismay II she awoke and
discovered my absence. / closed the
door, then, guiding myself by the bal
ustrade, passed lightly down the stairs
and reached the street door without &C.
cideIt.
There were other dodgers in the
house, among them young men who
came in at all hours, so, the door bo.
ing always left on the latch, / had nc
bolts to contend with. In a moment
was on the doorstep, with the door be,
hind me closed.
l stood for short time irresolute, al.
most trembling at my temerity. This
was the first time l had ventIaed be.
yond the mouse without guiding hand
TO trust TO. Yet | knew there was
nothing to fear. The street--a quiet
one--was deserted. The pavement was
broad, l could walk up or down with
out let or hindrance, guiding myself,
after the manner Of other blind per-
sons, by tapping my stick against the
curbstone or the ratings. Still must
take few precautions TO enable me tc