San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-04-24
THAT SHE MAY READ.
A Physicians Noble Labors for a
Poor Blind Girl.

A pr0JlN gOlueu ndlTeu Ollnu girl OIL
this city was the recipient recently OF
a tribute as graceful as it was peculiar
and pathetic and touching. Lord
Bulwer entertaining word picture,
the Maid of Malin's,n plays a con-
spicuous part in the tribute.
Eleven years ago blind girl baby
was born in Brooklyn, and though
many operations were performed on
her eyes the sight was never restored.
Mentally and physically the little one
grew and developed, and at an early
age she was instructed at the blind
asylum in this city A very apt
pupil she became, too, picking
up the study with remarkable
aptness. So expert did she become
that, by means of the blocks and
raised letters! she could readily
read any book. Her taste tor
reading increased, and before
many years had passed away she
mad acquired much more book learn
ing than many of her sisters and
brothers in the big world without her
atfliction. About a year and a half
ago she met with an accident that
made it necessary to remove her to a
hospital. The st. Mary's institution
on Upper Dean street, was selected,
and thither the little golden haired
girl was taken iD an ambulance.
At this time DR.. Smith Ely Jelliffe
was the house surgeon. DR.. Jellitfe
took deep interest IN his new ward,
and she was provided with as COM
Portable room as the asylum afford
ed. 1t overlooked the lawn on the
west side, and was specially adapted
for good ventilation. All that was
possible was done for the little one,
and the house surgeon took special
delight and comfort i'll looking out for
her welfare. When the girl was
brought to the institution she had
with her a good-sized book OF raised
letters, and during the day she spent
her leisure time reading it's contents.
One day she was heard to remark:
"Oh, l wish had something else to
read"
DR.. Jelliffe heard what she said,
out made no reply. 1t happened that
only few days before he had begun
reading Bulwer's charming story. 1t
tells OF blind girl, who describes, in
picturesque way, her varying SEN
sations. How the outside world APP
pears to her is stated, and the feelings
are dwelt on infinitely. Later, the
roman unfolds, and by a miracle,
the girls sight is restored. Then
follows, restored, a description
of her sensations, and she ontinues
to talk of the world with her
eyes open and gifted with the power
to see. Her new impressions are re-
lated, and a comparison is drawn.
lRNn IL H. l. l.,
the great writer's brain, and again is
the heroine doomed to blindness
She does not grow Respondent, how
ever, but soliloquizes optimistically
Oh the fact that the world appears
much more beautiful to the blind
than to those blessed with sight
That was the case with her, and the
revelation is told in the writer's most
pathetic and beautiful way.
DR.. Jeliffe decided that the classic
would be doubly appreciated by the
blind girl, and he determined that
she should read it. Accordingly he
secured some of the necessary paper
al d proceeded at intervals during
the day to copy the book, word for
word. By means of an instrument he
formed the letters which were read
easily by the patient. They were
made by puncturing the paper-after
he had learned that the child could
read from puncture as well as the
raised letter-and as he completed
each page he gave it to the girl
She read them with avidity
The doctor managed to find time
to have the pages ready without
keeping the little one waiting. Over
four months time was put in on the
work before the copy was complete
Then the pages were fastened togeth-
er by ribbons of blue, and made Sc
cure as well as capable of easy hand
ling. Some days ago the child left
the hospital and carried with her the
testimonial OF the surgeons kindness
of heart. She had read the book
but said she could never tire of it's
contents.
Not member of the hospital sta fl
was aware of what DR.. Jelliffe had
done, and he even refrained from
men tloning the matter to his parents
and immediate relatives. He did,
however, to one individual, and thus
the interesting bit of information
leaked out The book made sixty
pages in type.
DR.. Jelliffe's father Is Prof. w.
NJ. Jelliffe, principal of Public School
No. As, at the corner of Lafayette
and Classon avenues; instructor of
elocution at the evening High School,
and one of the best known men in
educational circles in Brooklyn.
When Citizen reporter called at
his residence, No. 1876 Sixth avenue,
last night, he was TOLD that DIR. Jel-
life was at present in Vienna, and
would not return until spring. His
brother Alfred, however, said he did