Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-02-22


few moments at a time, especially
when the world is looking on, but few
ueopie have the stuff in them to live
life Of heroism for 40 years as poor
Molly Fancher has done. Here IS her
story as viii Carleton tells it and as IL
appealed to the big-hearted poet VINO
wrote tne Farm Ballads" and the
Farm Legends" so we feel sure II
will appeal to people everywhere. Az
Tor telling the story of her happy
vouth. OF her prominence in brooklyn
society; her exceptional ability as a
musician; her engagement to worthy
Young man, and finally the accident by
which she was caught while alishtins
from a carriage and dragged block
through the street. Mr.. Carleton con-
tinues as follows:
Physicians did all they could to cure
her from the effects of this awiui mis-
hap; but without beneficial result. her
case becams. a celebrated one, and puz-
zled the whole meGical world. She was
a study to the physiOlOgist, the psy-
cholOgist, and the student of human
nature.
Sh. became known all over the
pl;,net: scientists discussed her, only To
get still farther into the mystery they
were trying to solve. one thing was
sure: the subject of their studies was
a hopeless invalid, unable to leave hel
bed of pain. and praying for the mercy
of God to take her TO Himself.
But this, for His own good reasons.
He was not ready to do. what those
reasons were. we do not know; but IL
was apparently from the fact that llie
world needed an object-lesSOn OF pa
,i.uce and endurance. At all events, IL
has had il. and has it still.
For ten years-fOr twenty ycars-for
thirty-ior thirty-fVe-and now Tor
forty years this sufferer has lam IN
that same room, upon that same peu'
upon the same side of that bed, ana
uion the same side of the body-llH-
ing because il is Gods will that she
should live.
Not negotiating; not existing i'm a
drowsy, or stupid, or petulant way; OH
no, but as 4 cheory, brave, industrious
woman; full Of love, sympathy, Kind
ness. and all the better qualities of her
sex.
one by ore she has outlived the rela- :
tives that once soothed and comforted
her long days and nights. Mother ana
sister long ago went to the great lar
away land where they now await her.
An idolized aunt, who had cared Ior
the invalid us she would for her own
child. was called from her side by the
grim hand Of death. Her aged father.
y no had been great pride and COM
fort to her, went on to join the VIE
and mother that had preceded nm.
Her only brother was taken from her
by a railroad accident. One by one,
fdvorite physicians and nurses have
preceded her into the land where dis
ease is unknown. Old friends by the
score are dying every year.
Mollie Farcher belongs to Brooklyn
to New York-to America-to the
world She may he called. truly, the
most famous invalid now living; and
she will always remain on record as
such.
1t is in the hearts of many of her
friends, to unite in a Testimonial to her.
to be presented during February of ms
year-she having just completed her
fortieth year of captivity to the grim
hclplessness of disease. If all her
friends and acquaintancHs (and they
are legion) will join in this testimonial.
it can be made so large as to place her
beyond all financial worry for the re-
mainder of her life.
Let every one who admires feminine
bravery under the most distressing ara
frghtful of circumstances, every one
who loves patient, unfiinching. brave
Christian resignation, send Mollie
Fancher q word of cheer and Sleam
of financial encouragement. some time
during the eventful month during
which commenced her long sentence of
pain and captivity!
This is nut her own idea; she is too
proud I" ask help Of any one. But her
friends can sec that the life of an IN
valid is very expensive, even under the
most favorable circumstances; and her
earning capacity, which she has eX-
erted to the utmost, fails to meet the
want. Indeed. she has earned more
than the world can ever pay her-by
tie example she has set il. In her brave
patience and heroic endurance.
Too often. such debts are paid only
when the heroic creditor lies pale and
cold in death. Too often the printed
tome or the lofty monument attest the
esteem and honor that We're fully and
justly earned. and which should have
; been sooner rendered. in another and
more substantial form.
Molle Fancher will be quoted for
centuries to come as one of the most
| extraordinary women that ever lived
upon this planet. She will be named
as one to whom tho world owes such 4
debt of gratitude as ii can never repay
If this opportunity during her lifetime
| goes by.
Let us all join in paying that debt
, Let every one send her something OF
! his or her abundance. at her home. 16(
| Gates avenue. Brooklyn. y. Y. Hel
| friends guarantee that she will reply tC
; every communication, in her OWL
, words and her own handwriting.
| What has become of the historic
! bronze statue of Lafayette given by