44 Edward Livingston Youinans, \ 



\ 



I 



the sole condition of faith ; others contented them- 

 selves with severely criticising the treatment he had 

 received. Among them all, Dr. Samuel M. Elliott 

 gave him most encouragement, and something in his 

 manner inspired a confidence that turned out to be 

 well grounded ; for through the coming twelve years 

 of difficult treatment the doctor's skill was never at 

 fault, nor his sympathy wanting. 



When their circuit among the oculists thus came 

 to an end, Youmans and his fellow-patients turned their 

 steps toward a boarding-house. They were directed 

 to one kept by a Mrs. Cook, at the corner of Pearl and 

 Hague Streets. She was a humane and kindly woman, 

 but the struggle to keep up her boarding-house and 

 support her family kept business considerations, of 

 course, in the foreground. These blind men could not 

 be brought to her table ; so she found for them in hjrr, 

 basement some quarters, which they hailed with end 

 light as a change from the infirmary. Since the intck. 

 view with Dr. Elliott the party were in high spirits, 

 and Youmans created much merriment with his droll 

 quips and sallies. In a few weeks all the rest had left 

 Mrs. Cook's ; Youmans remained, but not in the base- 

 ment. Charmed with his modest dignity, his sparks 

 Hng conversation, and his witchery of manner, tht 

 landlady at once became his friend. He was accom- 

 modated with a large and comfortable room, and* 

 when her daughters could find leisure for it tb ^3 

 would read to him. Among the boarders were so ef' 

 bright young printers, and soon they too became in; \p 

 ested in the newcomer. They brought him bo li5- 

 and papers, they came to his room and read for ' Qrk 

 and always felt more than rewarded by his shrtto^ 

 comments and telling illustrations. It was here t^o^ 



