The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-11-14

one in order that might. at least, know
the lime. The little bell told me that il
was Just one o'clock. Craving for sleep
sighed, and sank back upon my pill
| low.
Presently 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 I
lodged. Up and down this might
walk in perfect safety. Even if 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 was on the point of calling
old Priscilla and making her aware Of
it; but knowing she was sleeping sound
", 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 disturb
her? Let me begin to learn to help
myself like others in my wretched
plight l had already acquired this
much, to dress without assistance. If
could now do this and leave the room
unheard, could, felt sure, grope my
way to the front door, let myself out,
and. whenever 1 chose. return by the
, aid of the latchkey. The thought of
even temporary independence was
attractive, and my spirits rose as 1 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. l opened it
without noise and stood on the thick
carpet outside. smiling as thought OF
the sleeper's dismay if she awoke and
discovered my absence. l closed the
door, then, guiding myself by the bal,
ustrade, passed lightly down the stairs
and reached the street door without &C.
cideht.
There were other dodgers in the
house, among them young men who
came in at all hours. so, the door be-
ing always left on the latch, had nc
bolts to contend with. In moment
was on the doorstep. with the door be-
hind me closed.
stood for shorr sac irresolute. al
most trembling at my t2nerity. This
was the first time l had vertured be-
You'd the mouse without guiding hand
to trust to. Yet l knew there was
nothing to fear. The street-a quiet
one-was deserted. The pavement was
broad. could walk up or down with
out let or hindranre, guiding myself.
after the manner of other blind per-
sons, by tapping my stick against the
curbstone or the ratings Still must
take fGw precautions to enable me tc
ascertain my latitude and longitude al
will.
/ came down the four steps which lea
from the front door. turned myself to
the right, and, by aid of the lire of all
ings, set my face toward the end of the
street. Then / began to walk and to
count my steps, siXty-two of which
brought my right foot on to road.
whicn told me had reached my limit.
l turned, counted back the sixty-two
PAGES, and then sixty-five more in tho
same direction before found myself
again off the pavement. My calcula-
tons were verified by nv knowing that
my house was very nearly in the center
of the row. Twas now quite at m5
ease; had determined the length Ct
my tether; could walk up and down
the deserted street, yet. at any time
wished to do 80, could, by counting
from either end, arrest my steps in
front of my abode.
so. nightly proud of my success, TO-
awhile went up and down--up and
down. l heard one or two cabs pass
me, and also one or two persons afoOt
As these latter seemed to pay no at
tention to me felt glad to think tina.
my appearance and gait were not such
as TO attract notice. Most men like te
conceal their infirmities.
This night excursion did me grea,
deal of good. Perhaps it was finding
that was not altogether SO helpless
and dependent that changed in a few
minutes my whole frame OF mind. The
mental rebound took place. l went
from despondehcy to hoTe-eXtravagan
hope to certainty. Like reve-
lation it came to me that my malady
was durable; that, in spite of my pre-.
sentiment, what friends had been assur.
ing me would prove to be the truth.
So elatcd grew that threw my head
back and walked with a firm, quick
step, almost forgetting that was SIGHT
less. / began to think OF many things,
and my thoughts were happier ones
than | had known for months. l gave
up counting my PAGES. walked on and
on, planning what should do, where
should go when my darkness was re-
moved. do not know whether may
have at times guided myself by the
wall or pavement edge: but ii SO l did
it mechanically and instinctively, with
out noticing the action or remembering
it afterward.
l can not say whether it may be pos
sible for blind man, who can divest
himself of the fear of encountering uu-
seen obstacles. to walk as straightly
and accurately as one who can see. 1
only know that in my preoccupied and
elevated state of mind. must have
done so. Intoxicated and carried away
by the return of hope, 1 may have
walked as sonnamhuliSt or as one in
trance. Any way, forgetful Of all save
my brighter thoughts, l went on and
on, needless of the missing sense. until
coming full against person walking
in the opposite direction recalled me
from my visions and brought me back
to my misery. felt the man had en-
countered shake himself free: l heard
him mutter ''stupid foolr' and go
swiftly on his way, leaving me motion
less on the spot where the collision had