The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-03-24
Continued from Page 1.)

fof d decade Miss Crosby has ma de Bridgeport her home. Following the 1 death of her sister, Miss Carrie Rider, she removed from State street to the home of her niece, Mrs. H. D. Booth, 226 Wells street. Here she has lived
 for two years and as Aunt Fanny she
 is one of the family circle, sharing in
 the hopes and fears of the Booth
 youngsters as well as. the more sober councils of their elders. Attired in a
 simple frock of black silk, her gray hair falling in soft plaited curls over i her temples, her sightless face beam
 ing with animation, she greeted each visitor with a quaint old fashioned courtesy, grasping one after another i firmly by the hand, and shaking with genuine hospitality as she acknowledged cOngrat tula tions.
 But the gentle. quaintly old fashion 1 ed courtesy of Miss Crosby is not in
 keeping with the vigor and activity of her mind. In that she has kept pace with the foremost of her time.
 nioys @ nGe 6sr not etbod of tocb Sn@ aarg rgaafn
 in which, an instructor, she espec-
 1ally excells. Her conversation within
 the family circle, as well as at the
 church and missionary gatherings,
 where she is always a central figure,
 have served to keep her in touch with
 all that is going on in the outside
 world.
 Beecher put it, Tn the harness 2 said the remarkable old woman, as she spoke of her hymn writing to Farmer reporter with whom she chatted at her home yesterday.
 Many friends have asked me if have not felt my blindness af- fliction. ] believe the greatest bles- sing that the munif1eent Creator ever bestowed upon me was when he per Initted my external vision to be clos ed. He consecrated me to the work for which he created me. I have been blind since I was six weeks old So have never known what it was to see, and therefore can't realize any personal loss. But until a few years ago I was able to distinguish at close range with my right eye, the strong prettiest eyes, the most beautiful faces. the most magnificent landscapes. I rem ember these co1ors, and with my happy dreams I am able to blend these colors and bring the visions right back again. The loss of sight has been no faculties. can remember things that happened when I was a child of two or three. I can learn quickly. I have an intellect quick it ever was. | I can read. I have my friends. I have much to be thankful for.
 ''The world, I fear is going too fast ] a little girl. feel we will not be on the right track until people stop al tering the word of God. Just think | of the marvels that have taken place mense fortunes that men have amass- ] ed. It's almost beyond belief
 What do you think a1i of men of i
 .Wen. i feel very sorry for them sometimes, said she. 'I often 9i1.o wish i,ia life over. I believe he would do so | much better. No I don't consider him a bad man. I believe he might do many things differently.
 ''I believe there are no souls so bad but that we can find some good in them. I am convinced today of the And she quoted from her famous old Rescue the Perishing.'
 Down by the human heart
 Crushed by the temDter
 feelings lie bound that grace can re-
 Touched by loving heart
 Wakened by kindness
 Chords that were broken will vi
 brate once nore.'
 seYes, there's good in. everyone. But, no, I'll make two exceptions. There down the well in Fairfield last January and Carrie Sprague, the woman who that unfortunate man, Mul- en.' Thus did the aged woman dis play her knowledge of the current events of Bridgeport and vicinity.
 Fanny Crosby was born in South East, Putnam county, New York, Mar A. 1920, daughter of John and Mercy Crosby, of old Puritannica1 stock At he age of weeks she suffered an af- lection of the eyes that resulted in she evinced a remarkable aptitude to 1ersify and at she wrote a poem on Ter blindness in the happy strain that las characterized all her later writ ngs of secular nature. At 15 she entered the New York Institute for he Blind For twelve years she was : !, student. and then she became a eacher of English Grammar, Rhetoric, Roman and American history. Here ;reatest men of the country. Among fer warm personal friends and admir- ITS were such men as Presidents Van suren; Tyler, i, Polk oaf4 Cleveland Ian x Gov; thers, of equal fame She is rich in nemofies of her meetings with these lotables. These she delights to re- ount to her little circles of admirers. .
 E'One of my dearest friends, said he twas President Polk. well re- member when he visited me at the In , me day as we were waking through he park I recognized the voice of an ] Id domestic whom had not met for ears. I absented myself for a few ( nofnents and returning, made my to his excellency. The char cter of the man was at once shown have always held you in high es- ( eem as very dear friend. But now I ou have risen far beyond the high l lace you haves accupied.' You see, $ he president appreciated the friend 1. hip I had for my old friend, and he ad the nobility to express it. T be- ontinued Miss Crosby My feelings ave the habit of gushing out at all mes-'' s'At my age. I can look back over lany years and I recall, with vast asure, the happy years of my life. hey have all been happy. One of " most pleasant recollections is the isit of Father Mathew, the great F fish temperance lecturer, to our in flute. We had been talking togeth- for a long time, when he suddenly R sked me, My daughter. are you from < 'eland?' tNo,' replied. but I love $ 'eland.' Then the Father placed his E and upon my head. I dropped on one