Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-01-23

way to the front door. let myself out,
and, whenever | chose, return by the
aid of the latchkey. The thought of
even a temporary Independence was
attractive. and my spirits rose as / re
solved TO make the attempt
crept softly from my bed. and slow
" but easily dressed myself. hearing
all the while the sleeper's regular
breathing. Then, cautious as 4 thief.
stole TO the door which led from NV
bedroom to the landing. l opened II
without noise and stood on the thick
carpet outside, smiling as / thought of
the sleeper'S dismay if she swoEe 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 ac-
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 no
bolts TO contend with. In moment |
was on the doorstep, with the door be-
hind me closed.
stood for short time irreSolute. al
most trembling at my temerity. This
was the first time | had ventured be-
You'd tn mouse without guiding hand
10 trust TO. Yet | knew there VAS
nothing TO fear. The street-a quiet
one-was deserted. The pavement was
broad, could walk up or down with
out let or hindran.>e, guiding myself.
after the manner of other blind per-
sons. by tapping my stick against the
curbs;one or the ratings Still | must
take few precautions to enable me TO
ascertain my latitude ana longitude AT
will
| came down the four steps which led
from the front door, turned myself 10
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, siNty-two of which
brought my right foot on to road,
which told me | had reached nv limit.
turned, counted back the sixty-two
PAGES, and then sixty-fiye more in the
same direction before found myself
again of the pavement. My calcula.
tions We're verified by my knowing that
my house was very nearly in the center
OF the row. was now quite al my
ease; had determined the length of
my tether, could walk up and down
the deserted street. yet, at any time
wished to do SO, could, By counting
from either end, arrest my steps in
front of my abode,
So, nightly proud of my success, for
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 that
my appearance and gait were not such
rs 10 attract notice. Most men like 10
conceal their intirmities.
This night excursion did mo great
deal OF good. Perhaps it was finding
that was not altogether so helpless
and dependent that changed in few
minutes my whole frame OF mind. The
mental rebound took place | went
from dependency to hope extravaganza
hope even to certainty. Like reve-
lation it came to me that NV malady
was durable; that, in spite of nv pre-
sentiment, what friends had been assur-
ing me would prove to be the truth.
So elatod grew that threw my head
back and walked with firm, quick
step, almost forgetting that was sight
less. | began to think of many things,
and my thoughts We're happier ones
than had known for months. | 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 mt times guided myself by the
wall or pavement edge; but il so did
it mechanically and instinctiyoly. with
out noticing the action or remembering
it afterward.
can not say whether it may be pos
sible for blind man, who can divest
himself of the fear of encountering un-
seen obstacles, to walk rs straightly
and accurately rs one who can see.
only know that in my preC coupled and
elevated state of mind. | must have
done 50. Intoxicated and carried away
by the return of hope. l may have
walked as a sonnambulist or rs ono in a
trance. Any way, forgetful of all save
my brighter thoughts, | 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; ! heard
him mutter stupid fool!n and 90
swiftly on his way, leaving mo motion
less on the spot where the collision had
occurred, wondering where | was and
what should do.
1t was no use trying 10 find my way
back unaided. Not having brought nv
repeater with me | could not even say
hnU lone I ha1 baap ,ualL;n. . ,,,;crLt
have been ten minutes, it might have
been an hour since gave up counting
my steps Judging by the number OF
things | had thought Of since that
rapturous exaltation of mind COM
menced it seemed more likely TO be the
latter. Now that l had come back to
the earth l must be content to remain
on this particular spot of it until |
heard the step of policeman or some
one else who might happen TO be
abroad at this unusual hour-unusual.
at least in this quiet part OF London.
leaned my back against the wall and
waited patiently.
| soon heard an approaching step;
but such staggering, uncertain, lurch-
ing kind of step, that from the sound OF
the feet alone was able to determine
the condition OF their owner, and was
obliged to decide he was not the man |
wanted. must let him pass and wait
tor another. But the feet staggered up
to me and stopped near me, whilst \
voice. jolly, but like the feet, unsteady.
cried:
"Nother Teller worsh than me!
Can't get on at all-eh, old chap
Z think some ones head II
ache worsh than mine to morrow
TO BE CONTINUED
Alexander Hamilton at Kings College.