The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-11-15

travelling is slow. A friend being with
me, l had no wish TO make myself a
nuisance by cutting our expedition
short. So | said nothing for weeks,
although at the end of each week my
heart sank al the fresh and fearful adj
vances made by the foe. AT last, being
unable to bear it, or in fact conceal it
longer, | made known my condition to
NV comrade. We turned our faces
homeward, and by the time London was
reached and the long journey at au end,
everything to me was blurred, dim and
obscured. l could just see, that was
all
| flew to the eminent oculist's. He
was out of town. Had been ill. even at
the point of death. He wonld not be
back for two months, nor would he see
anv patient until his health was quite
restored.
l had pinned my faith upon this man.
No doubt there were as skillful oculists
in London, Paris, or other capitals; sbut
| it was my fancy that, ii | was to be
saved, | could only be saved by Mr..
Jay. Dying mon are allowed their
whims; even the felon about TO be
| hanged can choose his own breakfast,
so had an undoubted right to choose
my own surgeon. resolved to wait in
darkness until Mr.. Jay returned to his
duties.
1 was foolish. / had better have
trusted myself in other clever hands.
Before a month was over had lost all
hope, and at the end of six weeks was
almost distracted. Blind, blind, blind!
| should be blind forever! So entirely
had lost heart that began to think 1
would not have the operation performed
at all. Why fly against fate? 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 If 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
depths of my woe!
was not left entirely alone in my
trouble. Like Job, had comfortcrs;
} 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 SC
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 responding anc
t morbid.
3 My best friend of all was humble
4 one: Priscilla Drew, an old and trusted
, servant of my mothers. She haC
5 known me from earliest childhood
: When l returned to England could no
0 bear the thought of trusting my help
+ less self entirely to a strangers care
3 | wrote to her and begged her to com,
e to me. / could at least groan anC
: lament before her without feelin.
i shame. She came, wept over me TO
d awhile, and then, like sensible WON
}! an, bestrred herself to do all she coulC
o to mitigate the hardships of my lot. Sh
e found comfor table lodgings, installed
d her troublesome charge therein. AM
o day and night was ever at his beck an
e call Even now, as | lay awake an
s tossing in mental anguish, she wa
J. sleeping on an extemporized bed jus
outside the folding doors, which opene
It from my bedroom to the sitting
z, room.
" 1t was a sitting night in August
The sluggish air which crep5 in throug
Il the open window made little perceptibl
difference in the temperature OF m
W room. Everything seemed still, he
and dark. The only sound could hea
=. was the regular breathing of the slecF
Ie er behind the door, which she had Lei
an inch or two aiar in order that sh
n might catch my faintest call. l ha
l. gone early to bed. What had | to wa
g up'for now? 1t was sleep and slice
alone which brought forgetlulness; bu
* tonight sleep refused to come TO mi
ID | struck my repeater. had bOugl
TO one in order that might, Mt least, kno
IN the time. The little bell told me that
was lust one o'clock. Craving for slice
a. | sighed, and sank back upon my pi
low
is Presently u sudden, fierce longing
er be out OF doors came over me. 1t vi
niglt-very few people would be abou
There was broad paveme 1t in trol
s. of the row of houses in one of which
1t, lodged. Up and down this | mig
to walk in perfect safety. Even if on
O. sat on the doorstep it would be bett
than lying in this close, hot room, tos
1t, ing from side to side unable to sleep.
b. The desire took such full possessiC
it of me that | was on the point of callir
in old Priscilla and making her aware
of it; but knowing she was sleeping soun
l ", hesitated. had been unusual
se restless, cross and exacting during T.
day, and my old nurse-Heaven I
.at ward herl-was serving me for Low
re not for money. Why should l distu