Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-26
ny DOROTHY Garfield FISHER.

Wartime Paris Is full Of big new
street signs, flag -surmounted. an
nouncine in very large letters tho
existence OF war phiianthropies of one
Kind and another for the relief OF
those stricken by the disasters of this
disastrous age No signs are bigger,
none mas larger letters than those sur
mounted by the crossed flags of France
and the United States, which announce
that Franco-American COMMITTEES ia
at work there.
And yet one OF the most interesting.
unique and valuable of these fine
American philanthropies has no biz.
sign, no large letters and is so little
known in America that am sure de-
scriplion of its work will be news To
most Americans, and very good news
AT That This is the Phare de France
tthe French Lighthouse for the Blind)-
IL is supported by the Franco Ameri-
can Committee for Men Blinded in
Battle. and is under the direction of
Miss Ninifred Holt, whose wears or
work at the American Lighthouse for
the Blind in New York have SO mar
Nc'ous!y transformed life for the blind
OF that city.
She has been in France for n uttIe
more than year. throwing herself into
the same tremendous energy and in.
domitable perseverance which has ar
c"mpiished so much for the blind i'm
america The French lighthouse is
the result of that years activity
imagine that you are now about 10
WISH mat institution under the guild
ance OF one of the volunteer workers.
perhaps that charming young grand
daughter OF our President Grant to
whom is often assigned the task of
showing visitors about. You ring at
No. II on the Rue Daru, the quiet old
street of the Russian church, with its
gold tipped domcs.
The heavy door swings open. vo,,
step INTO large. peaceful stone
paved courtyard. with a handsome old
palace facing you, at the top of !,
| Hight OF broad stone steps. \ soldier
or an officer in natty uniform is
probably either going nimbiy up or
coming confidently down those stems.
swinging light bamboo cane. His
alert. upright bearing gives YOU no
hint Of his blindness
GYMNASIUM FOR blind
IS WE'LL EQUIPPED
If YOU follow him as he turns to his
left. YOU find yourself in n we'll
equipped gymnasium for the blind.
which is. so your guide tells you. tho
! only thing oc the sort in France Your
hlihd soldier ,who is enjoying rest
betewen lessons) stoops, puts on II
pair of roller skates. and is off in a
dashinG swoop about the polished gym.
nasium floor.
His face is soon tinglins and glow.
ing with the exercise. the strong.
rhythmic swing OF his body Is exhila.
rating TO witness. Your guide muir
murs that four months ago that man
was in hospital. alone. aick. utterly
discouraged. life Il black abyss of de-
spair before him. Here is one of tho
achievements OF tho French Light
house.
But is he really blind?" you ask in.
crcdnlously. "iIow can he have won
back that fine physical poise. that
splendid confidence in his body which
means so much for seeing pcopls and
which We never associate with the
blind?"
All. that is the especial secret of
this American institution. the espe-
cial gift OF America to the French
blind. What is done a, this institution
does not duplicate. but rather suppic-
mcnts what is being done for tho re-.
education OF the war-biind In tho other
excellent Institutions Of France. Tho
Continued on Eighth Page)