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Page 57

UNFOLDING YEARS, 57 

The year 1907 was marked by two important events. In March appeared the first issue of the Matilda Ziegler Magazine, financed by that great philanthropist, Mrs Matilda Ziegler, and edited and managed by that noble-hearted and great lover of the blind, Walter G. Holmes. It is difficult for those of the present day with all its literature in embossed type, The Talking Books and numerous magazines covering all subjects to comprehend what this first general magazine in tangible print meant to me and other blind readers. 
In the summer of that same year my niece Nettir and her little boy Hoyt came to visit us. During their stay, one afternoon while dressing in my upstairs room I somehow in stooping over struck my other eye. Up to that time, while my sight had continued to fail and I did not consider that what I had was of any particular value, still I could see light, the outline of objects and some bright colors. In a few days this was gone -- never to return. I recall distinctly coming out of my room and seeing a shaft of sunshine coming through a window at the end of the hall. That was my last glimpse of light. Then I realized what a help and comfort that little vision had been to me; and for the first time I felt really blind.
Now I was more depressed than ever. Emma had her work and the company of her fellow workers. As spring came again father was outside a great deal working in the yard and garden. Left alone in the house I felt that dreadful loneliness which only the loss of a loved one can bring. It seemed that I could not get back my physical grip on things. My dear sister did everything she could to help me. She read to me; she encouraged me to go places. She planned for me to go up to Vinton for Commencement, but when the day came and I did not feel equal to going alone, she arranged on short notice to go with me. Even after reaching the station and our tickets purchased, I felt too ill to go and had to return home. 
Among those who were at Vinton that year was Eva Whitcomb. We had been very fond of each other in school. Now she came to make me a short visit but remained five years. She was alone in the world

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UNFOLDING YEARS, 57 The year 1907 was marked by two important events. In March appeared the first issue of the Matilda Ziegler Magazine, financed by that great philanthropist, Mrs Matilda Ziegler, and edited and managed by that noble-hearted and great lover of the blind, Walter G. Holmes. It is difficult for those of the present day with all its literature in embossed type, The Talking Books and numerous magazines covering all subjects to comprehend what this first general magazine in tangible print meant to me and other blind readers. In the summer of that same year my niece Nettir and her little boy Hoyt came to visit us. During their stay, one afternoon while dressing in my upstairs room I somehow in stooping over struck my other eye. Up to that time, while my sight had continued to fail and I did not consider that what I had was of any particular value, still I could see light, the outline of objects and some bright colors. In a few days this was gone -- never to return. I recall distinctly coming out of my room and seeing a shaft of sunshine coming through a window at the end of the hall. That was my last glimpse of light. Then I realized what a help and comfort that little vision had been to me; and for the first time I felt really blind. Now I was more depressed than ever. Emma had her work and the company of her fellow workers. As spring came again father was outside a great deal working in the yard and garden. Left alone in the house I felt that dreadful loneliness which only the loss of a loved one can bring. It seemed that I could not get back my physical grip on things. My dear sister did everything she could to help me. She read to me; she encouraged me to go places. She planned for me to go up to Vinton for Commencement, but when the day came and I did not feel equal to going alone, she arranged on short notice to go with me. Even after reaching the station and our tickets purchased, I felt too ill to go and had to return home. Among those who were at Vinton that year was Eva Whitcomb. We had been very fond of each other in school. Now she came to make me a short visit but remained five years. She was alone in the world