Year: 1875

To Tie Editor Of the Northern Border:


My DEAR SIR: A few years ago, I met
a lady who was suffering from infiamma-
tion of the optic nerve. | cautioned her.
as did others, against any excess in the
use of her eyes, but perhaps without prop
erly realizing the danger of overtaxing
them. She continued to pursue her ordin-
ary course of life till total blindness fell
upon her sight. Hearing of her misfor-
tunes l went to see her, but / have no
language by which to portray the condi-
tion of my friend. The acuteness of the
pain proceeding from this total eclipse had
made fearful inroads upon a once vigor-
GUS constitution; and following this, an.
other and sadder pail had fallen upon the
intellect of this once viyacious and inter-
esting lady. In word she had become
maniac, and that in consequence of her
unwillingness to submit to the hand of
Providence


After being made acquainted with my
presence, she commenced cropping her
way up and down her room, at times COM
ing close to me, when she would feel for
and then grasp my hand, and exclaim in
the most piteous tone: 30 Mary, l am
blind, forever blind shall never see the
beautiful world again An eternal night
has settled down upon me! Demons mock
me | see them around me! l am almost
mad!'


o, how felt the powerlessnes s. ofwords
in such a melancholy case! l only said
"All will see in Heavenn' l left her in
that double gloom of vision and of soul;
and soon afterwards heard that she was
dead


Not long afterwards, but in another
part of the State, became acquainted
with another lady, who, for some years.
had been entirely blind. You would,
however, scarcely know that she was sui
fering such a loss. Her face beamed with
cheeriulness. Not n word OF regret, even,
ever passed her lips. A sweet serenity of
spirit beamed from her smiling counte-
nance and when alusion was made to
her misfortune, her answer was My
heavenly Father knows best'' How l
loved to look upon her sanity face The
soul within had nodded it into form of
perfect loveliness. She seemed to be a
glorified angel in human form; and her
goodness SO impressed me, that, scarcely
realizing what was doing, | fell upon
my knees before her, and asked her to





These two scenes have long been
sketched, like fadeless pictures, on the
tablet of the memory. No words of mine
can paint them as see them. You may
therefore rightfully deem me rash in send
ing you the two following sketches, in
which have tried to speak as each of
these unfortunates spoke to me. when
saw them under that shroud of night.


FIRST PICTURE. @
I am blind The glorious sunlight no more shall


dawn for me,


Nor springtime's vernal blossoms, nor flowers
For though turn these sightless eyes, not one


faint glimmering ray fFaska
Is carried to my fevered BRAIN to tell me is day
But darkness, blacker, deeper than e'er s darkest


night,


Is all that now awaits me-A long eternal
And when from memory's pages strive to bring


again


The young and happy faces, to soothe this yearn-


ing pain,


The faces of wild demons, CLEAN at me through


the air,


And one seems ever near me, they call his name


Despair


Hark hear him taunt and mock me "Hope i.


forever slain,


You are blind forever and shall never see again :"
"Mocx on, you taunting demon! l dare you, do


your worst;


Apply your fercest torture, perhaps this heat may


burst:


Mad! mad! Oh, yes, know it, wild frenzy fires
Hark! hear that fendish chorus You ne'er shall
see again'"


SECOND PICTURE.
Sister! too am blind but cannot say,
For me ne'er dawns the golden king of dayt
Nor the Springtime comes no more for me,
With fragrant blossoms, decking field and tree,
For these, all these, have still charm for me
Oh yes! the sunlight, beanng warm and bright :,
Has still power to thrill me with delight,
And fragrant breath of Summer still for me
Has magic beauty though cannot see!
For God pours eyesight of another kind
He opes the tar-seeing vision Of the mind.
And memory's pages, when turn them DER,
Seeking to gather from the scenes of yore,
No mockng demon faces greet my sight,
But only pleasant pictures Of delight.
While thus Hope rings so sweetly, "Sweetly pray"
And Gods own light shall glimmer Ger thy way
And in the great Herea you shall know
Why God this cup Of sorrow did bestow.
Dear Sister, cease thy weeping,-do not say,
All JOY and hope have left my life for aye,
For, sister, when these ties of Earth are riven,
There's another sunlight from the Throne OF


Do. l.,