The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-04-22

the waves. the bowling storm and tbs
crash OF thunder.
When not at the piano Tom anauses
ninl SELF by initiating the small talk OF
idcles and other visitors to the Lerchs
cottage. to which he is a silent listener
lie holds imaginary receptions. at which
the weather. new styles in dresses and
like topics are discussed BY the imar-in-
airy visitors. as Initiated BY Tom, in q
] way that is very comicsl. hat he win no.
I 90 II II ne knows there IS any one listen
Inc to him.
A FINE CHARACTER.
In spite Of his advanced years and his
reserved. formal demeanor in company,
Tom Is merely an overgrown child. and
has to be carefully watched bv a male
nurse. specially hired for that purpose
lie has all the selhshnesS OF a spoiled
enid. and is jealous of any attention
paid TO any one else in his presence. He
has little natural affection and cares
only for those around him who minister
directly 10 his wants He is willing that
MS mother should be taken care OF out
or the money he has earned but he
does not wish TO have her or mis- brother
ana sisters near him. Tor fear thaC they
may annoy hin, or prevent ms being
the sole object of the attentions of those
around him. With the exception of this
cnild-iike SelfiShness. Blind Tom is
extremely moral and religious in his
habits and disposition. he never eats
without first ofIering a prayer, and on
Sundays viii play only church music on
his piano. He viii have nothing TO do
with any one who drinks liquor. and
Will quickly order from the room any
person who uses profane or improper
language in his presence He is usually
very polite. but cannot abide a bore.
ana when 4 member of the lOng-winded
fraternity tries 10 make him q victim
OF his interminabe talk. the big blind
man brings his tOrmentOr up with
round turn by saying very abruptly:
Wei; now. you have talked long
If1xrff
II was only after the conclusion of Mrs.
Lesches long legal contest that mother
and son We're together again for the hrst
time since Toms infancy. but after the
novelty OF their reunion had worn away,
II was evident that their tastes and tenn
peraments We're so utterly at variance
That there was little likelihood of their
nFlnS happily together. Fate had kept
them apart too long. Toms clOuded mind
could not realize what his mother mad
suffered during their long separation
-Four score years of life had made her
q withered- up. irritable old woman set
IN her ways and not at all reconciled to
the fact that she found the baby for
whom she had mourned so many years
turned into a prematurely aged man.
fixed in his habits. and strangely lacking
in the natural affection he should have
for her.
So Charity Virgins went back TO her
old home in Georgia To live with her
other children. whose ways she under |
stands. and who understand her, and there /
she lives comfortably on the money /
which her sons guardian sends her at /
stated periods.
Blind Tom Virgins. in his home by 1
the seashore. enjoys life in his serenely /
selfish way. with his piano and his mag [
mary visitors. and with every reasonable |
wish gratified since the courts released |
him from the tenacious grip of his old |
master. who, a few years since passed /
over the great divide into that other
world. where there are. happily, no Blind |
Toms to tempt mems souls.