The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-12-22
AMERICAN GIRL
(contanusd Prom rirss P.x.,


tunities the war offered to aid those
who have been rendered sightless. she
came to Paris and succeeded in gath
ering sufficient funds among American
friends to carry ona limited amount
OF work with the soldiers.
Any donation for aiding in her work
Will reach Miss Holt II mailed care OF
the Hotel de Crillon, Paris. France,
and will be appreciated. however
small
Dependency Soon Follows.
The darkest moment in a soldiers
life are those when for the first time
he realizes that he never will be able
to see again." Mis- Holt told me re-
Gently. Without prompt expert as
sistance soon after the loss OF sight
the blind man is apt TO become de
spondent. to lose his intelligence. or 20
drift into an apathy from which Il Is
difficult IL not impossible to rouse
him.
The committees first task Is 70
find the blind sufferers. some OF whom
are marooned In improvised hospitals.
farm houses or chateaux. and many Of
whom are congregated in the large
hospitals or Red Cross stations. The
committee sends visitors and teachers
to these blind soldiers. and for those
otherwise physically able IL starts the
task of putting eyes on their finger
tips and giving them light through
work"
Special Building Provided.
The ministry OF war has just given
a special building TO be used entire
ly for the instruction of the blind.
ward and offered their services TO
Miss Holt TO serve under her gufd.
ance. A class in instruction is held
every morning in one OF the large
hotels. The men come here to start
their lives over again.
Typewriters and stenographic ma
chimes especially constructed for the
blind have been imported from Amer.
lea for their instruction. The men
are taught the touch" typewriting
system. similar TO that taught IN
many of our large business schools
and colleges.
For ordinary writing and reading
the international Braille raised letters
system is used. The letters resemble
the Morse telegraphic code in that
they are a series OF dots and dashes,
punched through heavy parchment
like paper by a stylus. Checkerboards
playing cards. musical instruments,
rattan for basket weaving. modelling
clay. and watches. all especially made
for the blind, have been brought from
America. A large consignment OF
games and writing materials which
kind friends sent TO Miss Holt 10
enable her TO continue her work were
lost on the Lusitania
Loss Never Mentioned.
Speaking OF her work with the men,
Miss Holt said: MY friends have
been very kind in holding I'D my
hands and the authorities have given
us every support. We are working
I'm twenty-seven military hospitals and
have a large waiting list OF men who
are able to be about and who wish
to come TO our school as soon as II
Is opened. My staff OF teachers, all
OF whom are necessarily French, have
been most successful in their efforts
zone OF our maxims Is never 10
with blind man for his
loss. We are very kind to them, but
never speak OF their affection IL al.
ways makes the man indulge in self
pity. which is the worst possible
thing for him. as the moment he be
gins 10 think about what he might
have been he becomes downcast and
has no interest in the work Work
In which the mans mind is occupied
continually Is the only salvation for
men who have always led active lives.
Make Men self-HeIpful.
We try TO study each mans sep
arate inclinations and abilities and.
as far as possible. TO train them IN
trades and occupations for which their
blindness has temporarily unfitteo
them. When they have become prof.
Gent II is hoped. whenever possible,
to have them return 10 their home sur
roundings with the knowledge OF tools
TO make them self-helpful and in 40
doing increasing their happiness and
lessening the strain on those i'm
mediate relatives 20 whose charge
they are confided.
When this Is not practical ~ f.
hoped to establish them in congenial
surroundings where they may again
enjoy a feeling OF comfort. well being.
and certain amount OF personal in
dependence"
The large military hospitals.
"Quinze VinEts" and Hotel Dieu,'
situated near the Cathedral OF Notre
AfAAAAA'a tfNNANN AAMAlN WNAAlu UhNAtnNNs
Some OF the most hopeless cases are
brought here for treatment by DIT.
de Ia Personne. one OF the most ceie-
brated eye specialists In France.
Here's Cheerful Victim.
Not long ago I talked with a coz.
poral who. besides being blinded for
life by bursting shrapnel. had just had
both legs amputated below the thigh.
lie is the pct Of the hospital. because
he seldom complains. but is impatient
10 be up and out We'll. they didn't
get my hands or arms and I guess
will be- able 10 make some use OF them
when r got we'll"
Several weddings have occurred 70
Gently Of officers who have been blind
ed In tho defense OF their country
ENGAGED before the war. their sweet.
hearts have remained true and regard
tho fact OF their being blind an adding
10 the roman. Tho true spirit Of
France has manifested Itself again.
Our men have suffered I'm the Do
Tense Of our homes. We could not de-
Fcrt them now In their hour OF mis-
fortune. 10 We did We would be un
worthy To- be- called daughters OF
France ~ ls our privilege now % pro
toct them as they have protected ds
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