A BLIND MAN AT THE DOG SHOW

New Zealand Tablet, 23 August 1906, Page 37

A BLIND MAN AT THE DOG SHOW

A gentleman stopped suddenly before a sign which told that messenger boys were to be had on the inside. He hesitated and then went in. ' How many boys have you in now? ' he asked. ' ' Six,' was the reply ; ' it's dull to-day.' ' Boys,' said the gentleman, eyeing them scrutinismgly, ' 1 suppose you know there is to be an exhibition of tiained dogs to-night?' The faces of the bo\s showed that they were perfectly aware of that fact, and that some might even give him points in regaul to it. ' Well, I'm looking foi a boy to take a blind man to it.' A titter was the response, then followed a variety of expressions, as, 'What could a blind man see?' and ' You can't guy us (hat way.' ' I'm ,not jesting , I'm in earnest,' said Mr. Davis; and then looking at one of the boys who had said nothing, he asked: 'Well, what <lo you think of if' '1 think I could do it,' was the reply. ' ITow do you pioposo- to make him see it ? ' 1 Th lough my eyes, sir. That's the only way he could see it.' 'You're the boy I'm aftei, 1 said Mr. Davis, and lie arranged for him to moot the blind man. The exhibition was m a laige theatre, and the blind man and his guide had a box to themselves, wheie they would disturb no one , but Mr. Davis, from his seat in the audience, knew what the boy was telling what went on so that the blind man could understand. Indeed no one applauded more heartily than the blind man himself. The following day Mr. Davis again appeared among the messenger boys, and after a few words with the manager he said :—: — ' Boys, there was ofl'eicd every one of you yesterday a chance for lifting yourselves up in 'the world, but only one of you giasped it My friend, Ihe blind man, has felt for some time that he might get much pleasure out of life if he could find some young eyes to do his seeing for him, with an owner who could repoit intelligently. My fiiend is delighted with the expeiiment. lie says he is sine I hit upon the one boy in town who will suit him, and has offered him a good position uith a line salary. Messenger boys are easy to get, but a boy who can make a blind man see is at a premium. You see, that boy, though he did not know it, was on the watch for a good opportunity, and when it came he knew how to manage it.'