My One-Eyed Friend.

Progress, Volume VI, Issue 12, 2 October 1911, Page 828

My One-Eyed Friend.

By A. C. GIFFORD. Some years ago a striking figure took his place in the circle of my friends. I had often passed him in the street; and, long- before we spoke a word to one another, I felt a great attraction towards him. When at last T had the good fortune to he introduced to him, we became at once fast friends. It was almost a case of love at first sight. There is something very prepossessing in his appearance. He stands erect, is well-proportioned, and of

medium height. His clothes are always trim and neat, except for a dark and rather ragged cloak thrown carelessly, in a characteristic fashion, about his head and shoulders. His features are sharply eat, clear and honest; and he looks you straight in the face. He has, indeed, only one eye; but what an eye it is—large and bright and clear as crystal! You feel instinctively that he can see right through you, and there is something almost em- \ harassing in his penetrating glance. I have often noticed the self-conscious look that many people put on in his presence. They feel that nothing can escape his searching eye; they try to look their best, and fail. There is, however, no need whatever for such uneasiness. My friend has really a very kindly disposition, and the estimates he forms of people even when most severe, are thoroughly honest and free from bias. He is a great friend among the children; but, strange to say, most animals, and especially cats, are very shy of him. Many people accuse him of looking at things, and of turning things, upside down. He is certainly more or less addicted to each of these habits. With regard to the latter, I can only say, in the words of one of my old masters, "A great deal must be excused in the cause of Science." The former I must acknowledge to be one of his most characteristic habits, but it is hardly noticed by those who know him best. By the way, have you ever looked at a sunset upside down? If not, you should seize the first opportunity. I shall be surprised if the increased brilliancy of the sky is not a revelation to you. To an ordinary observer, the most remarkable thing about my friend is his memory. It is truly marvellous. No student of Loisette could hold a candle to him in this respect. Remembering the value of TT to 700 places of decimals is nothing to the feats he can perform, I confidently believe that if he had one good look at a page of logarithms he would remember for years every single figure. Do not imagine that I am exaggerating. I am speaking sober truth. I have had countless opportunities of testing his memory, and 1 shall presently give you an example. My friend is a great traveller. I have had the pleasure of his company for many hundreds of miles, on sea and land. He is the life of every walking tour in which he takes a part. He has three legs; but, strange to say, he is by no means a good walker himself. He requires, in fact, constant assistance, especially when passing over rough or hilly ground. But he always repays a thousand times for any trouble he gives by the pleasure his presence affords. He is an ideal companion. Always on the alert to help or to amuse, ever ready with advice or illustration, he never thrusts a jarring spoke into the wheels of the conversation. I never knew a man so modest as he. He never brags. He is, indeed, no great talker. You could hardly choose a morel silent comrade. He will sometimes travel for miles as if asleep, even his eye may be closed; but a lovely face, a beautiful landscape, or even a passing cloud is enough to rouse him in a moment from his apparent indifference; and when he is once roused he can accomplish, in a few seconds of life and action, more than Ave in our slow way could do in days.

One spring, as we were travelling together on the West Coast of the South Island, we came to a beautiful lake. The day was stormy, and through the waving branches of surrounding trees, we had a charming view over the wind-stirred water of the distant cloud-capped hills. I gazed for some time at the scene, and then roused my friend, who gave one momentary glance before we were forced by the sinking sun to turn away. We both went back to our work amid other scenes, and it was not till more than three years later that I spoke to him again about what Ave had seen that afternoon. I found that he remembered every detail of the view. Every ripple on the water, every rock on the shore, every branch on each tree was accurately recalled. In one second he had taken in more than I could have noticed in an hour, and years after he could recall the scene more clearly than I could have done next day. _ You must not think that I admire my friend only for his good looks, his remarkable eyesight, and his marvellous memory. Ido indeed admire him; but I feel affection for him too. lie has so many good qualities that I might speak of them all night and yet not mention half. A sympathetic companion in prosperity, adversity draws him still closer. He encourages energy and perseverance. He inspires enthusiasm. He fosters the love of beauty and the respect for -truth. I need say no more. Some of von have made friends with him already; more, I feel sure, Avill do so soon. None, provided they have kindred spirits, are ever likely to be disappointed with the fruits that spring from his inspiring friendship.