The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-30
MARK TWAIN AIDS THE BLIND.
PRESIDES At MEETING TO RAISE
MONEY FOR THEM.
Tells Of His Own Hours OF Blindness on a
Dark Night-Can for Subscriptions to
Aid In Teaching the Sightless TO Work
Joseph H. Choate Also a Speaker.

Dark Night-Can for Subscriptions TO
Aid In Teaching the Sightless TO Work
Joseph H.. Choate Also a Speaker.
Mark Twain told a story last night Of
how he was blind for three hours once. He
told it at the meeting Of the New York State
Association for Promoting the Interests OF
the Blind, which was held In the ballroom
OF the Waldorf Astoria.
Mr.. Clemens presided at the meeting t.
1t was the first time he had ever presided
in his life. he said. Every seat was taken
and the boxes were filled with prominent
persons, all interested in the work of the
association, the object Of which is to teach
the blind how to work and to give them
profitable work after they have been taught.
While the meeting was in charge Of See
ing persons the blind contributed their
share. Mr.. Clemens's Introductory ad-
dress came after Frank O'Brien, a blind
pianist, had played and Miss La Barraque,
a blind vocalist, had sung.
Mr.. Clemens said that the lot Of the blind
could be ameliorated by providing them
employment and that the association wanted
$15, 900 to start this work. Few people, he
said, realized what a calamity it was to be
billlu ntl lS lOld vi lac " SocC'
Il nave never forgotten it," he said. L
was as blind as any one ever was for three
hours, and the accidents and mishaps l
had burned that experience into my memory.
1t was on an excursion. We went to a place
called Heidelberg. l took a clergyman
along, the Rev. DR.. Twitchell of Hartford,
I always take a clergyman along. It's
better for them and better for me-.
IL NlA H. HAA-> NhnNy Tnxya TNuftnhnll
and me the most colossal room l ever saw.
His bed was away down south in that room
and | was way up north. 1t was one OF
those torturing, sweet summer nights, l
heard a mouse way down IN the south
west. / couldn't stand it, 80 l got out Of
bed. | ought to have lit a candle. but l
didn't think of it before it was too late.
II was the darkest place | ever saw. No
blind person ever saw it darker. 1t just
lay in cakes.
II thought before dressing I'd aeclmu-
late my clothes. ] felt around and found
everything in one spot on the floor except
just one sock. | couldn't get on the track
of that sock. Finally, l thought as long as
I couldn't find it I'd go back TO bed again.
That's what | tried to do for the next three
hours. \
Il lost my bearings and by and by there
was a collision between a chair and my
head. II | found that chair ! knew I'd
find the next one, and / did. Finally, |
raised up. CARRIED as | was, right in front
Of a mirror. | hadn't noticed this was
there and | was frightened, don't ALLOW
my ghost to scare me, smashed that
mirror into a million pieces. and then l
reflected.
A far as l could remember, there we're
six chairs in that Oklahoma and one table.
In the course Of time ] collided with thirty
five chairs and tables enough to stock a
hotel dining room. And l went on and on.
At last l felt my way up and found a shelf.
And there was a pitcher of water on 1t, and
| was at the head of TwitchelIs bed. ! felt
that pitcher going, but couldn't help it.
1t went down on his face and woke him up.
Oh, how grateful / was to have company in
any state! He lit a match and there l was
away down South.
THAT night wasn't wasted altogether
because / had my pedometer with me. On
this occasion | walked sixteen miles. That
was one of the most serious incidents in
nv whole life. 1t taught me how serious
it is TO he as blind as a blind man.
When Mr.. Clemens got through his story
every one was roaring. Mr.. Clemens said
that people who wanted to could subscribe
for the cause and that a reception room
had been hired for this purpose.
"Mr. Choate was going to furnish ink,
but he hasn't lone it. Somebody was
going to furnish blank checks, but he hasn't
done that. | said | would furnish pens,
and it has been done, faid Marx lar tooobor 81
NIdIl les - r NhlllIp'', IN W w
the blind, then gave an address illustrated
with moving pictures. showing how the
blind had been taught to exercise.
Joseph II. Choate amused the blind and
the seeing by going for Mark Twain. He
said that he and Mr.. Cle mens had pre-
pared briefs, andthat Mark hadn't followed
his at all. ~
AS for the ink he said, Il bought it all
right, but he refused to look at it. Nobody
is as blind as those who won't see. Mr..
- - I l.,A 40 L4r1 n .ant YaarNF
times. Whenever we've been here before
we've seen a great deal of money. We've
seen more eaten and drunken and DANCED
away here than we need tonight Get
excited il YOU can, but don't get hysterical,
because hysteria is exciting a great deal Of
discussion now, and ! don't now whether
it permissible or not
Mr.. Choate said that he couldn't believe
that the blind had not been taken care of in
this city of magnificent charity until the stu
alton was described to him.
whatever can be done for them should
he done quickly, +" he sai i'd.