The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1885-03-25
"CALLED BACK"
CHAPTER I-CoNrINuED.
BY HUGH CONWAY.


There were other dodgers in the house,
among them young men who came in at
all hours, so, the door being always left
on the latch, had no bolts to contend
with. In moment / was on the door
step, with the door behind me closed.
stood for long time irresolute al
most trembling at my temerity This was
the first time had ventured beyond the
house without guiding hand to trust
to. Yet L knew there was nothing to
fear. The pavement was broad. 1 could
walk up and down without let or hind
rance, guiding myself, afler the manner
OF other blind persons, by tapping my
tapping my stick against the curbstone
or the ratings Still l must take few
precautions to enable me to ascertain nv
latitude and longitude at will
/ came down the four steps which led
from the front door, turned myself to the
right, and, by aiG of the line of ratings
set my face towards the end of the street
Then / began to walk and count nv
steps, sixty-two of which brought nv
right foot on to road, which told me
that l had reached my limit. I turned,
counted back the sixty-two PAGES, and
then sixty-fve more in the same direc-
ton before / again found myself off the
pavement. My calculations were verified
by my knowing that my house was very
nearly in the centre of the row. was
now quite at my ease; had determined
the length of my tether; 1 could walk
up and down the deserted street, vet
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
q while l went up and down-up and
down. 1 heard one OF two cabs pass me,
and also one or two persons afoot. AS
these latter seemed to pay no attention
to me, felt glad to think that my APP
pearance and gait were not such as to
attract notice. Most men like to conceal
their inirmities.
This night excursion did me great
deal of good. Perhaps it was finding
that was not altogether so helpless and
dependant that changed in few minutes
my whole frame; of mind. The mental
rebound took place 1 went from de-
spondency to hope extravaganza hope
even to certainty Like revelation it
came to me that my malady was durable !;
that, in. spite OF my presentiment, what
friends had been assuring me would
prove to be the truth. So elated I grew
that [ threw my head back and walked
with firm quick step, almost forgetting
that Twas sightless. 1 began to think Of
many things, and my, thoughts were
happier ones than 1 had known for
months I gave up counting my PAGES.
L walked OH and on, planning what I
should do; where should go when my
darkness was removed. do not know
whether | may have at times guided my
self by the wall OF pavement edge; but
It so did it mechanically and instinc-
lively, without noticing the action OF re-
membering it afterwards
cannot say whether it may be possible
for blind man, who can divest himself
OF the fear of encountering unseen
obstacles, to walk as straightly and ac-
curately as any one who can see. only
know that III my preoccupied and ele-
waited state of mind, must have done so.
Intoxicated and carried away by the re-
turn OF hope, may have walked as o
somnambulist or as one in a trance.
Anyway, forgetful of 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. L felt
the man I had encountered shake him
self free; l heard him mutter "stupid
TOOL J" and go swiftly on his way, leaving
me motionless on the spot where the
collision had occurred, wondering where
was and what should do.
1t was no use attempting to find my
way back unaided Not having brought
my repeater with me L could not even
say how long I had been walking. Itmight
nave been ten minutes, and it might have
peen an hour since gave up counting my
steps Judging by the number of things
nad thought of since that rapturous ex-
altatlon OF mind commenced it seemed
more likely to be the latter. l soon heard
the step OF policeman or some one else
who might happen to be abroad at this
unusual hour-unusual, at least in this
qmet part OF London. leaned my back
against me wall and waited patiently.
1soon heard an approaching step but
such staggering, uncertain. lurchino