Omaha daily bee., 1907-05-05
when I think of what my Savior did for

when think of what my Savior did for
me-
He was living in a barren. desolate
home, too with scarcely a chair or a table
just set to work to bring a little sun
shine into his life. I was determined that
blessed old hero should learn to read, no
matter how long Il took. -
He was afraid he was too old. It's
strange how little confidence the blind
have. Even when they are most eager they
never, say, I'm sure can learn It's al
ways, oh, do you think I could ever read
a book?
well. ! left him a Moon alphabet and
told him I'd come In again soon and start
him on the primer. The book he wanted
to read most was Garheld's life, and it
wasn't long before 1 brought him the first
volume. But. bless his heart. even then
he didn't believe he could ever read IT,
But said he must try and I'd come back
in two weeks and see how he was getting
on. Well, 1t was in less than a week that
I was in the library and saw that very
book.
What's this?' asked the librarian.
That pupil of yours on Barrow street
sent this back and wanted the second vol
ume
well, you know. just sat down and
said, Thank God for that Since then he's
read as many as four books a week. and
now I've had to teach him the New York
Point so that he can read the Magazine.
Never Gives One Up.
AS long as a pupil really wants to learn
I never give him up" said the teacher in
reply to question as 10 the length OF her
course I've had them learn in a week
and 1 have one pupil that taught regu-
larry for a year and half before she could
read with any facility.
TITS a wonder to me how they ever learn
at all. myself read their books with my
eye. II they are very nervous-as many
are-they find it difncult. Then some Of
them have poor circulation In their fingers
and that dulls their sense of touch.
zone OF my pupils used to say, Days
when can feel can't think. and when
! can think can't feel II took her months
to learn: now she reads and writes beau
TRULY.
They are very ambitious and so per-
severing. but sometimes they get discour-
aged and tell me I needn't come again; but
say, Goodness, you needn't think / won't
come. Wen keep at this II It takes Ave
years. Then when I see them really read
ing you don't know the satisfaction It gives
me, For Of all the burdens God has given
! l think blindness is the hardest to bear.
Reading makes the greatest difference
In their lives. They often tell me that it's
next best TO having their sight back again.
You see, my pupils have ali gone blind
since they have grown up.
Birth OF the Library.
Richard Ferry. who was the first presi-
dent of the library. used 10 say that II II
began to bring as much happiness into the
lives OF the blind as he hoped. it would
more than compensate him for his own
blindness. When he lost his sight at g
I there wasn't a book In this city he could
read. His niece, Mrs. Clara williams, sci
to work and started a tiny library. Now
II has grown to 5000 volumes and when the
new building at Forty-second street ii
finished We are going TO have ine quarters
\ and as many books as we want
Mrs. Williams has given her life to Il
and We have a tablet going up in our new
library 70 commemorate her labor OF love
In 1893 the library became incorporated II
the public library system and that with
the new postal ruling which admits reading
matter for the blind to the mails free hai
carried our books 70 all the blind OF th'
city.
You'd be surprised to know what SOM
OF my pupils accomplish. They are no
an idle lot by any means, have one whC