Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-02
LEPER's GLOOM LIFTS.
Silver Lining to Clouds In the Pension
Awarded Him.

Silver Lining to Clouds In the Pension
Awarded Him.
This means more to me than you
can imagine. 1t removes anxiety from
my mind regarding the future welfare
of my wife and child" said John r.
Early, the leper to a Washington Star
reporter, as he laid down his pen after
signing the pension papers emitting
him to $72 month.
LAS far as I am concerned the money
means nothing" he said, as his lips
parted in a sad smile. But 1t makes
me feel good to know that the little
wife Is placed beyond want. It lifts
a great weight that has been bothering
me for some time.
"The world Is not so cruel after all"
Early signed his voucher and certifi-
cate in the presence Of Henry Clay Nc
Lean, acting health officer, a physician,
several newspaper men, his wife and
the two guards who have been attend
ing to the wants Of the afflicted man.
All possible precaution was taken by
the health officials to prevent any pos
sibility Of Earlys hands coming in con-
tact with the pension papers. The
voucher has to go through many hands
before 1t finds its way to the archives
of the pension Office. The certificate
will be retained by Mrs. Early.
There were two places on the vouch-
er that Early was required to sign to
make 1t effective. The voucher was
folded and placed in a long yellow en-
velope, the kind used by the health
department for official business.
Two slits were cut in the envelope,
each one large enough for Early to
write his name through. Thus, moth
ing touched the voucher except the
point Of the pen. The envelope or
cover upon which his hand rested dur
ing the signing was destroyed after the
voucher had been removed by Mr.. Nc
Lean.
well doctor, there'll be no danger
of any one becoming infected by this
transaction" Early said, as he COM
pleted the last stroke Of his name.
The latter was written In a clear, firm
manner.
The unfortunate man appeared great
ly elated. He chatted freely with his
callers and laughed heartily several
times during the conversation that fol-
lowed He seemed In no way detected
and said he had not felt so we'll for q
long time.
"The principal pain is in my feet and
legs" he said "They hurt Off and on
something like a weather barometer.
I guess my feet will be the first part Of
me to go.
Possibly I contracted the disease in
my feet My hands are swollen some
what and look a trifle bad, but they
trouble me none.
my appetite is fine. I sleep soundly
at night. l would recommend open air
living and regular hours and diet for
everyone If they care to enjoy good
health.
With this, Early arose lightly from
the chair he had been sitting on in
front Of a small table near his tent.
Throwing back his well-shaped head
he took a long deep breath and drew
up his arms, as one does in exercising.
Possibly to further show how well
and strong he felt, he picked up his
chair with one hand and the small ta-
BILE with the other, and carried them to
the tent. During all this time Mrs Ear
ly remained seated in her hammock.
which is hung beneath two sycamore
trees on a small mound about twenty
five feet from her husbands tent She
said nothing, but watched the proceed
ings intently. Her eyes seldom rested
anywhere but on the one so dear to