Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-07-17

London, England July 6.--They make
o gay crowd, the men at st. Dunstans,
who are lcarning-and Mt an amazing
pace-to conquer, as far as they can be
conquered, the disabilities of blindness.
That look of sad repression, OF patient,
gentle resignation, that one so often sees
on blind faces, is very, very seldom seen
there. And / think it is partly because a
mans blindness is taken as matter OF
course.
A SPORTING OUTLOOK.
The FIRST object of the training at st.
D,lnstan's is to restore the men to the
fullest endowment possible, under the cir
clInstances of the normal life. And all
who know this Regents Park Hostel for
Blinded Soldiers and Sailors, can testify
10 the fact that a large measure OF success
has been achieved.
Even before the blind men reach St.
Dunstan's the heartening process is be-
gun. for Sir Arthur Pearson goes to see
them rs soon as possible after they arrive
In the hospitals.
Sir Arthur is wonderful man. and his
life today is fuller, more crowded with
eager interests, than even IN those earlier
DAYS when he had sight. As be talks to
the stricken soldier, answering his ques-
tions, guiding his thoughts, new ex-
preston dawns on the mans face OF
hope, courage, Zest. For he has realized
that the man who is talking 70 him so
buoyantly, with such cheerful confidence,
Is himself blind.
FIRST STEPS ON THE ROAD.
lust before the darkness Of blindness
closed upon Sir Arthur Pearson's life, he
dismissed his valet, lest he should grow too
dependent upon his services
For he believes that self-dependence is
the blind mans highway Of happiness.
Directly YOU enter St Dunstan's you
notice parallel strips in all directions -
one OF limo, ono of carpet.
The sighted keep to the carpet; the
blind walk with confidence along the limo,
where they can hear each Others steps
And everywhere-in the workshops, out
In the open-by various ingenious devices
this guiding principle Is carried out, and
Helps TO give back to these eager men that
feeling Of independence, the loss Of which
is the real curse of blindness.
IF HE THINKS HF CAN.
What a man thinks he can do, he can
do" IS Sir Arthur Pcarson's belief. And
very soon the men become ardent con-
verts to the same idea. They go about
everywhere with quick, firm tread, tap
away unhesitatinGly on the typewriter,
engage in carpentry, boot-repalring, or IN
learning massage or poultry farming
With equal zest and certainty, too. one
sees these blind men rowing, diving,
swimming, or, inside, enjoying chess,
dancing, or playing instruments. Few
things are barred to the sightleSs, either of
work or play, and the result ut st. Dun
STAINS shows triumph Of cheerful, per-
sistent trying.
4 friend, blind for many years, called on
Sir Arthur wears ago at his own house.
The maid brought in sherry and glasses ON
a tray and unassisted, the host filled the
glasses. The friend was amazed.
= could VI do that, he said.
why not" said Sir Arthur. "You can
tell bv the sound and the weight when
the glass Is full. / made some ugly marks
on the carpet at first, but it's only by
trying one learns"
ST. DUNSTANs WEDDINGS.
Women everywhere admire man who
puts up brave fight against odds So
one is scarcely surprised to hear of big
hearted girls who come at $50 In the
summer to cox for the blind rowers, or
help in other WAYS; and after their day In
factory, shop or Office. return TO spend an
hour or 50 at st. DunstaE's to read to, to
dance with. or 10 90 out walking with one
or other of the blinded soldiers.
1t follows that weddings not .nfrequent-
L. take place, and Sir Arthur Pearson's
great desire IS that these cheerful, co,ir-
ageous men should be able to undertake
the responsibilities of marriage, knowing
that, if children come, they will be pro-
vided for, if necessary.
Most of them are splendid men, phvs-
ically fl, brave. alert, and skilful, and The
women who have SO for married men from
st. Dunstan's are capable and kindly
ready for responsibility, cheerful in face
o. difficulties. Such parents should give
to the nation children who shall carry on
old England's best traditions.
FIVE sHILLINCs FOR EACH CHILD
The State makes a grant In the case Of
all children born TO a blinded soldier be-
fore his discharge from the army. But
what Sir Arthur Pearson wants TO do is 10
get together fund which VIII ensure a