The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-07-12

NltnOut us joys. IllS udS Az NV
spent in sightlcss sorrow. He has
his pleasures, all the kcener, perhaps,
because he is deprived Of the great
one Of looking at people and things.
Marvin r. Clark, who is known
among his friends as the blind jour
nalist, believes that the Joys far out
weigh the sorrows in the lives OF
those born blind or deprived Of their
sight.
"A general opinion prevails among
people who can sce,' he said, that
when person becomes blind he be-
comes helpless. That idea is the
greatest handicap a blind man has to
contend against and his greatest task
is to wear it away. Blind people arc
just as sclf-reliant and just as brave
as people who can see. AS class
they work just as hard and enjoy
themselves just as kcenly. There is
work for every human being to do,
it matters not what sense he lacks,
and I wish that it could be brought to
the mind of every body that the blind
are helpful, not helpless.
"You ask me how the blind man
amuses himself, what joy he finds in
life. A blind man amuses himself
just like one who can sec-according
to his tastes, provided that he has
the money. 1t will be nine years this
coming Thanksgiving since | became
totally blind, and in all that time
have found my greatest source of
recreation in my literary work. |
have continued to write fiction and
special stories for papers in and out
of town. Since | returned from the
Bermudas last November I've written
two comedies and a novel Of l30, 900
words, and in all Of this work I've
found the kccncst pleasure. Another
blind man might have found it irk
some and have been compelled so turn
to other things to rest his mind and to
amuse him, and don't pretend to say
that don't enjoy other things.
Many blind men are very fond of
the theatre. seldom GO on account
of my i'll health, hnt when do ] en-
joy it thoroughly. OF course cannot
see the beautiful scenery and costumes
or watch the facial expressions Of the
players, but get much pleasure from
the play just the same, though l
wouldn't if [ went alone. I always
60 with friend, and obtain my enjoy
ment almost entirely through him,
just as o person who can see partakes
of the enjoyment of companion.
There is bond Of sympathy between
two persons who are friends, and the
pleasure felt by one communicates
itself to the other. 1t is different
with the opera, and get sense of
enjoyment out of that all my own,
which can never come from play or
any speaking part. A blind man
usually possesses all of his other
senses, and they improve to degree
that compensates in measure for the
loss of sight. His sense Of taste
gro rs stronger, and he is able to enjoy
his food more. The touch becomes
finer, and he is better able to appre-
ciate the texture Of objects.
The hearing is rendered more acute,
and I have not the slightest doubt
that people who are blind hear sweet
sounds that are never heard by men
who can see. However, the other
senses are never so strengthened as
to Offset the loss of sight. If had
it I would willingly, eagerly give the
wealth of all the world to recover my
sight, and any other blind man will
tell you the same thing. I can't see
anything that is beautiful. A flower
is given to me I am told that it is
beautiful, but cannot see it's beauties
for myself. can only touch and
smell it. Some one tells me that
magnificent building is going up. I
can only ask what style of architec.
ture it is, how many stories high,
what material is being used and so on,
apd then picture in my mind what it
looks like. I can't enjoy beautiful
bit of scenery, vessel on the water,
the facial expressions of those to
whom I talk. I cau only be told
about these things, and see them in
imagination, which is more often
wrong than right.
1--WE blind people make great
many mistakes, especially concerning
the personality Of those we meet. OF
course, we judge man largely by his
voice. For instance, if meet mar
with full, deep voice. Immediately