The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-11-25
MARRIED LIFE.
Q The Blind Man.

. The Blind Man.
'It's that blind man, ma'am, with
the doilies and things announce
Della. y
''Oh, I can't see him now. / haven't
time, and I don't want any more Of
his things" Helen answered impa-
tiently.
What shall tell him? That you
amt in?"
'cNo, then he'll come again. Tell
him the truth, tell him I don't want
anything more"
And through the half-opened door
she heard Delia's voice:
MRS. curtis says she don't want
no more of your things. And she amt
got no more time to look at them
The door had hardly closed before
Helen was picturing the disappoint-
ment on the blind mans face. He,
and the boy led him, had probably
walked blocks to see her, or perhaps
had even spent carefare in the hopes
of selling her something. She ran
out into the hall.
ooh, wait, you can come back, I'll
see what you have"
His Face frightened.
The mans face frightened as the
boy led him back into her apart
ment.
81 have some new lace collars 1
thought might interest you, he said
apologetically.
He mentioned to the boy to help
him open the little black case he
carried. There were a number OF
crochet collars and jabots. The blind
man fingered over them carefully and
drew out two which he held up to
Helen.
These are very special design"
he said.
Yes. they are very pretty" muir
INJURED Helen.
"And here's another, a different
style.
"And how much are they?'
"These two are $1.50, and this one
is $500.
"Well, I really don't need any col
lars" Helen BEGAN.
Eff you could use any Of those I
might make them a little lower. I
haven't sold anything today and I
must sell something, if only to get
carefare. Do you think you could use
this $50 one if make it SIPS? It's
the only one of that design l have
left?
After q few moments hesitation,
Helen said she would take it and
went into her bedroom for her pock-
etbook. When she came back the
man had laid the collar out and was
feeling over the others.
The Hope of a Bargain.
Now isn't there anything else
you'd like" he asked, hopefully.
You wouldn't care for any doilies?'
''No, l think not
"And you couldn't use another one
Of the collars?"
emo. that will be all.
He restrapped the black case, felt
for his cane, thanked her, and the
boy led him out to the hall,
1t was not until several moments
later that Helen realized what she
had done. She had bought the collar
because she had wanted to help this
blind man. And yet she had allowed
him to sell it with little or no profit,
taking advantage of his desperate
need Of carfare?"
She caught up her pocketbook and
ran out into the hall. But it was
empty. The elevator had taken them
down.
She rang furiously, keeping her
finger on the bell until the elevator
came flying up. The boy gazed at
her in mild wonder.
Take me down quick. I want to
catch that blind man who just left"
Down stairs Helen rushed through
the hall and ont to the street. They
were just turning the corner. She
few after them.
Here, l made mistake. intend !
ed to pay the regular price, $50.
for that collar, and rave you anly |;
$1.f5. Here is the other quarter.
He thanked her profusely.
My, how wish blind people and
cr1pples wouldn't come around selling !
things" she said to Della. "You
don't want the thinrs they have. Won
feel you can't afford to buy them. and
yet you feel selfish and uncharitable
and uncomfortable if you don't.