Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-16

got his education-notice the English
he writes? And. say-going blind!
Fancy that! Santa Claus. you over.
whelm me: you are too bountiful. you
are too generous. You'll have nothing
left for the next chimney! Deaf and
dumb and blind. Really, do not de-
serve this-I really don't. Let me at
least tip the hat boy or III feel mean"
He turned gravely to the Patriarch,
resuming his chair with an expression
on his face as one arrived at weighty
decision after mental battle with
oneself.
II win stay here until I am cured.
I put myself in your hands. What
am to do?" he wrote quickly.
The Patriarch smiled seriously rs.
after peering at the slate, be took the
outstretched- hand and laid his other
one unaffectedIy upon Madison's shout.
der.
BE sure. then, that ! can help you"
wrote the Patriarch cheerfully. There
lis no course of treatment such as you
may perhaps imagine. My power lies
| In 4 perfect faith to help you once
you in turn have faith Joa-se!f-that
Is all. 1t Is but the practical applica-
ton Of the old dogma that mind is
superior to matter. You must come
ana see me every day, and We will
talk together"
" will come-gladly," Madison re-
piled and, taking the slate, carefully
wiped OF the writing with damp
rag that the Patriarch had taken from
the table drawer.
'.This slate racket is the limit" said
Madison to himself as his pencil began
to move and screech again, ''but I've
got to get little deeper under his
vest yet" 80
He handed the slate to the Patriarch.
and on It were the words:
won't you tell me something Of
yourself, how you came to live here
alone and your name. perhaps? l do
not mean to presume, but am deeply
interested"
There Is never presumption in kind
illness and sympathy" answered the
Patriarch. "But my name and story
are buried in the past. Perhaps when
! am gone those who care to know
may know. / have not hurt you by
refusing to answer2" f@s
1aNo, indeedr' said Madison politely
to himself. "The element Of mystery
is one Of the best drawing cards !
know-it's got Medley going strong.
Far, far be it from me to tear the veil
asunder. mentioned It only % .
feeler." Y
But upon the slate he wrote:
Far from being hurt, respect your
silence. But your eyes-you were to
tell me about them"
The Patriarch's face saddened sud
denly as he read the words.
II have made no secret Of It," he
wrote. II have been going blind for
nearly a year now. The end, I am
afraid, Is very nearwithin a few
days, perhaps even tomorrow. I think
| should not mind It much myself, but
for the time that Is left it will mar
my usefulness. have been able to
help the people here, and they have
come to depend upon me-that is my
life. trust am not boastful If
say my greatest joy has been In help
ing Others"
He had reached the bottom Of the
slate and held It out for Madison to
read; then wiped It OF and went on:
II have dreamad often Of wider
field, Of reaching out to help the thou
sands beyond this little town. but I
have realized that It could be no more
than q dream. / have been success
full here because the people believe in
me and have unquestioning faith In
me. To 60 outside among strangers
would only have been to be received
a. charlatan and sfaker or a. a poor
deaf and dumb fool ut best"
Madison took the slate.
But IL these thousands Of others
came, to you-what them"
The Patriarch's face glowed
1T would be wondrous JOY" he
wrote -''too wondrous to dwell upon,
because 1t could never be. II they
came could help them. for their very
coming would be an evidence Of faith
and faith alone y necessary. Think
OF the JOY Of helping 90 many others
it Is the fnllness OF life. But let rs
not dream any more, friend Madison"
"Of course" communed Madison,
studying the tllumined face, ''he's
slightly touched In his upper story on
the faith stunt, but he's in dead ear.
q HxR q u -