The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1920-06-04

the income for the three adults and
two children had been s32 a week.
The room was neat and clean, but
furnished only with the dresser, a
stand and four chairs, and thin red
carpet on the floor. In the room be-
yond | could see a bed with white
, coverlet, unusual in the homes OF
those who pay SO a month for rent.
Mrs. Henson was wearing a neat
calico apron over calico wrapper.
Asks to See Children.
81 would like to see the children"
the commandant's voice broke my
reverie. ''Are they here?"
"The two children that live here
aren't" answered the woman, but
Edgar, my other sons little boy, Is
back there. I'll call him, Jimmy, my
sons boy that lives with nae, .bor-
rowed Edgars coat to go out and
play little"
In response TO the call Edgar ap-
peared in the doorway. thought
him the most beautiful child | had
over seen. About six years old.
judged him. His face bore the spirit.
ual look of the cherubims of some OF
the early Italian painters. His hair
was brown and curly. his complex
ion clear, with exquisite features and
coloring, and he was beautifully
straight.
grandma Here | am
looked at her sharply. question.
ingly, then back at the handsome
child. And then for the first time l
noticed that he stretched out his
hands and clutched the furniture as
he walked. The beautiful boy was
blind.
Grandma, grandma" said the
child eagerly, I'm a sweet, clear voice,
reaching out before him and walking
toward the spot where he had placed
her voice.
"Aint that awful" said the old
woman In an aside. to US. He has
been that way since he was four
years old. when he had spinal men,
ingitis The doctor saved his ,ife
for him. but that was all,
"Grandma; grandma on the
eager voice of the child. what do
you think, some people say they
would rather be dead than blind
Would you, grandma? What do you
think of It grandma? Would you
rather be dead?"
"Now hush, you mustn't talk like
that, Edgar?" answered his grand
ma, and the commandant broke in
hotly.
Tells Of School for Blind.
mo, indeed, people ought not to
say such things. There is a lovely
school where little boys can go
when they can't see. and they have
swings there to play on, and they
teach the little boys how to read with
their fingers. and how to make beau
tiful music on different Instruments.
AS soon as you get little older we
will take you oyer there TO live, per-
haps."
do they have kindergarten
there? / want to go to kindergarten.
A lady told me that a little blind boy
can have lot OF fun at kindergarten,
and learn things" said Edgar, walking
around. touching eagerly everything
within his reach.
Yes, indeed, they have a kinder
garten, and you are going to be able
to learn everything you want to know
about said the commandant.
The lump in my throat was getting
bigger all the time, and | was too
preoccupied with the thought of the
little blind boy to hear the rest Of the
comm andant's conversation with
Mrs. Henson. Mechanically / fast
ened my coat and rose as | saw her
move ever TO say parting word OF
encouragement TO the old man.
Will you give me your word OF
honor that you will see that that boy
gets chance at an education in the
state institution for the blind?" !
asked the commandant, the minute
the door closed behind US. Because
If you don't do it | am going TO see
about II myself. if | have TO go
through fire and water to accomplish
it."
The commandant smiled enigmatic-
ally and nodded her head lit is my
life work to see that the poor and
sick and distressed are taken care
of" she answered simply" Could II
have been by accident or design that
her hand in its simple cotton glove
travelled to her throat where was
fastened a modest white enamel pin
emblazoned with the single word: