The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-07-21
SUNSHINE Away
! RhD|ATEs FROM
THIS 0PT|M|ST
Crippled, New York Mans
Ambition Is To Spread Cheer
Among Those With Whom
He Comes in Contact.
Times Special Correspondent Finds
Him Living in Back Room of
Boarding House.
BY w. q. SHEPHERD.
-lme., sneeIaI corresponde mt.


NEW YORK, July 21.-William ].
bullivan, champion optimist OF the
United Statesl Bring on your other
olks who think they are extra good
Il hoping. Bring on your make-be-
ieye hopers, who send around the
Smile, damn you, smile" postal cards,
md who believe in sickly grin; even
4 you're dying.
I've found hopper that I'll stack up
against them all. His motto is I'D
lie II couldn't smile"
Hope was born In him 20 years ago
hs crouch, or music, or genius is
born In other folks.
Sullivan is living In back room In
boarding house In New York and on
July 26 will end 40-day fast.
went to see him about his fasting:
ound that wasn't half as interesting
hs his hoping.
He came tottering down the stair
way to see me; he dragged a palsied
right leg behind him; his right arm
WAS shriveled and he could not con-
rol its twitching.
doctors Can't Do Anythinal"
But the smile on his face!
SIN used to fasting now" ne said.
First was hungry. Then, about
the sixth day, grew faint, but got
pver that Look how thin / am" He
being thin were funny.
What are you fasting for?'
He smiled again.
We'll. the doctors can't do anything
for these withered up old limbs OF
mime. and took notion that Id try
something myself. I've got an idea
that maybe can starve myself into a
state of weakness and that, when |
build up again, after my fast Is over,
the new tissue that will grow will be
fresh and strong and will crowd out
the tissue that Is paralyZed."
Then he laughed.
Perhaps that sounds funny to you?
Well II does to me. too. But, anyhow,
I'm going to try It."
Are you any better since you be-
gan your fast
well, to tell you the truth. I'm
not. But, II IL doesn't work this year
I'm going to try 1t again next year,
and maybe the year after that. 1
run q little news store in Philadel-
phia and can save enough money
each year to take a fast. | haven't
any folks alive. I've got an idea that
/ II hadn't been this way l could have
done something pretty big in the
world. To tell you the truth, there's
something big ! want to do right
now; It isn't anything that will bring
me any money. It's just something
that will help to make everybody III
the world happier, but ! can't do 1T
while I'm this way. So first, I'm go
ing to try to get we'll"
How were you paralyzed?"
at was too bad" he answered.
"Tye always felt sorry for my folks
about It, They had saucerful of
I've, standing Under an organ to keen
the rats out OF II. One day, when
was two years old, some men came
and took the organ away. / was play-
ing In the room and drank the lye-
After a three-weeks' fight they saved
my life, but I was left this way. IL
was pretty hard on my father and
mother, tell youi"
joined the champion hopper on his
1 afternoon walk.
He didn't carry a crutch or even a
stick; he leaned on an umbrella.
81 like to make believe that I don't
need anything to walk with" he said
with bright smile. $50 I carry this
umbrella for sunshine as well az
rain"
! Sees Passing Of Whisky.
We passed through a slum street
Yes, but some of the children here
grow up TO be wonderful men and we-
men. Hardship seems to help folks"
, This whisky business Is bad" I
said, as We passed gray-haired wo
man who was drunk.
II think the time Ia coming when
no one will want TO drink" said
Sullivan with a smile. Folks will be
lots happier then"
These elevated trains are noisy"
said, as the rattle disturbed our talk