Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1899-07-16

an oft-studied anu familiar lesson. My
doubts, however, were soon put rout.
took up copy of Gulliver's Travels,
opened the book at random, put 1t in
her hands and asked her to read. MY
surprise amounted to astonishment
when she ran her fingers down the
page until she came to the beginning
of paragraph, and then with
clear voice and almost as
rapidly as the average reader,
she read an account of the re-
lations existing between certain mem
bers of parliament and the prince.
But in addition to reading the point
system, Miss Livingstone writes it,and
she favored those gathered about her
with an exhibition of her work, after
which specimens of her writing on a
typewriter were handed about and eY-
amined with interest. The mechanical
part of the work was wonderful, and
little story, part OF which read, in
dlcated excellent literary ability for a
girl only sixteen years OF age.
One OF Miss LiVingstones friends
showed the company a letter which
she had written her on a typewriter.
The closing sentence of that letter
constituted what have denominated.
blind girls plea.
II ,aJoo hhtc. m irfakaa and
cail them kisses, for l. know there
isn't a word that hasn't a mistake in
It,"
There was not mistake in every
word; but there were mistakes In the
letter, but, considering the sightless
eyes of the writer, he would have been.
over-exacting who could not make
legitimate excuse for them ALL and
there was good reason. too, for con-
sidering the mistakes kisses, for every
one Of them was the result of the poor
blind girls effort to write a message
of love and good cheer to fler friends.
A number OF times she touched the
wrong letter; but 1t was love that
actutated her hands, and every mis-
take was therefore sign indicating
the writer's devotion to those she loved
She had done her best and her plea
for kind consideration was SO pathetic
that when I read 1t had to turn away
from the party for moment in order
to conceal my emotions.
Having regained my self-control,
handed the letter to friend, pointing
at the same time to the appeal that
had moved me SO deeply. / was not at
all surprised to see tears start in his
eyes as he read her touching appeal.
1t was SO sincere, SO full OF tender pa
thos and SO completely justified that
1t found a quick and sympathetic re-
sponse in the hearts of all her friends
No one acquainted with the clrcum-
stances attendant upon her whiting
tLat letter could be other than tender
ly considerate OF the writer And yet,
while 1t is not so accumulated In other
cases, the blind girls plea voices an
universal sentiment OF the human
heart.
Sometimes our mistakes are due to
carelessneSs and we are self con-
demned when we contemplate them;
but OIL 80 many times our striking the
wrong letter Is due to moral or mental
blindness, and shrinking from the
cruel criticisms OF thoughtless pub
lie, we plead for merciful considera-
tion We know that our hands,
sweeping over life's key board, were
actuated by love of humanity; but in
right was intended. But often we can
not state our case clearly and so forci-
bly, as to convince the world that we
wer doing our best. Language seems
to be inadequate and smarting under
the severe criticisms OF our lnconsid-
crate fellow men, we sometimes Ques-
tlon whether 1t is worth while ever to
try again. Unable to make the world
see that the motive which prompted
the mistaken move was pure, we are
often driven to the ragged edge of de-
spair
We know how hard we have tried to
touch the right letter, and we feel
keenly the sting of our own failure, but
others noting the mistake conclude at
once that we have purposely done a
mean act. and as a rule any effort on
out part to reveal to them the actual
promDtings OF our hearts is fruitless.
We are doomed to suffer and knowing
how helpless we are In such matters.
we usually choose to suffer in silence,
trusting that somewhere and somehow
our real purposes and characters will
be made known.
Often however our Vindication
seems to be delayed beyond thelimlt OF
endurance. and knowing how many
times this happens. as bade Miss
Livingston good bye, 1t was with the
conviction that II. as one of the
fruits OF her blindness. she could i'm
press upon the busy thoushtiess world
1 l..4.. - i L..