The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-05
BLIND IN A HURRY TO READ.
THEY WANT TO LEARN NOW THAT
THEY HAVE 4 MAGAZINE.
increased Demands IN Mrs. KeIiOek.
Teacher Of the Adult Blind Sunshine
Brought by Books lHt0 DaFkened Lives
-Feats Done by People Who Can't SEE.

HFOuEnt Dy BOOKS 1bl0 bAFhclOu law
-Feats Done by People who Can't See.
Mrs. Frances Kellock, the teacher for
the adult blind employed by the Public
Library for the Blind, finds that her work
has been greatly increased by the pub
~lication OF the Matilda ziteIer MdodsiHe.
Since tbs first number came out In
March" she said to q Sun reporter, cit
seems as II every blind person In this city
had determined to learn to read. and what's
more, they don't want to miss another
number Of that magazine. It's the most
wonderful thing that ever happened TO
them.
Lots Of my old pupils who read only
the Moon type nave sent TO me post haste
to teach them the New York point Of the
American Braille, You see. the Moon
Is the easiest type to learn. but o that
the magazine is published in these two
eystems' even the tfmid arc learning to
read them.
Il 70 everywhere from Mount Vernon
TO the Battery. One or two days / spend
at Blackwell's Island. Some Of my pupils
live in tenement cellars and others in fuxuri-
GUS homes. They are Of all ages and all
. classes.
"One Of them is an old Irishman who lives
alone In a rear tenement down In Greenwich
village. One day when I was In his neigh
borhood l ran in to see him. He came
10 the door himself, and when / announced
that I'd come to see him he asked:
What can you be wanting Of an old
man like me. ladyF
Il went right to the point and said, I've
come TO teach you to read 90 that you'll
have something to do when you are here
alone
What, lady? Not funny books so that
can laugh? Why, it seems as II there isn't
anything I'd like SO much
u gave him his first lesson that day.
and In q few weeks I told him that he was
doing splendidly. He demonstrated
Don't be tellin' me that now. 1t means
you won't be comm any more
One time ! was late in getting 10 his place
and went gathering over the paving stones
Of the yard In a great hurry. He vas wait
ing for me with one Of his bits OF blarney.
At thought | heard an angels footsteps,
and here she comes he said.
'The first book he read was Mrs. Wigs
shall never forget how he enjoyed 1t.
well, now, Mis- Kellock,' he said when
| came to Gee how he liked It, II you're
wanting to kill of all your blind people
just send them 'Mrs. Wiggs.' Why, ] walk
around and like to die %a-laughing. Seems
as II I'd most explode when ! think Of hem
pouring soup down that half dead horse
You know my pupils are living sermons
to me- Mrs. 'Kellock went on. They are
the most patient Of people. have never
once heard a complaint. 1t Is pathetic
work.
One day ! went to see a very old man
who had been blind for twenty-five years.
When / asked him IL he did not find his
affection a burden, he said:
AZ can't complain about blindness when
think Of what my Saviour 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 sunshine into his
life. was determined that pleased 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 l can learn It's always,
Oh, could | ever read a book?'
Well. | left him a loo alphabet and told
him I'd come in again soon and start him on
the primer. The book he wanted TO read
most was Garfeld's life. and it wasn't long
before ! brought him the first volume. But,
bless his heart. even then he didn't believe
be could ever read 1t.
But said he must try and I'd come back
IN two weeks and see how he was getting on.
Well it was In less than 9 week that I was In
the library and saw that very book.
What's this?' I asked the librarian.
That pupil OF yours on Barrow street
sent this back and wanted the second VOL
ume.'
We'll. you know. I just sat down and said,
Thank God for that Since then he's read
as many as four books o week. and now I've
had to teach him the New York Point 90 that
he can read the magazine.
AS long az a pupil really wants to learn
never give him up" said the teacher In
reply to a question as to the length Of her
course. "Tve had them learn In a week
and / have one pupil that l taught regularly
for a year and a half before she could read
with any facility.
'lt's a wonder TO me how they ever learn
at ell. ] mytelf read their books with my
eye. II they are very nervous-as many
are-they find it difficult. Then some Of
them have poor circulation In their fingers
and that dulls their sense OF touch
One Of my pupils uaed 70 say. Days
when ] can feel ! can't think. and when
can think | can't feel II took her months
10 learn; now she reads and writes beau
tfully.
They are very ambitious and 20 per-
s%evering. but sometimes they get dis
coursgod and tell me / needn't come again:
but | cay, Goodness, you needn't think
! won't oomel Wen keep at this II 1t takes
Eve years Then when ] zee them really
reading you don't know the satisfa ction IL
gives me. For Of all the burdens God has
given ] think blindness 10 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 ell gone blind since
they have grown up
Richard Ferry, who vas the arat prssi-
dent Of the library, used 70 Ay thai u II
began TO bring as much happiness into the
lives Of the blind a. he hoped. II would