44 Edward Livingston Youmans. 



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 her 

 basement some quarters, which they hailed with de- 

 light as a change from the infirmary. Since the inter- 

 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 spark- 

 ling conversation, and his witchery of manner, the 

 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 they 

 would read to him. Among the boarders were some 

 bright young printers, and soon they too became inter- 

 ested in the newcomer. They brought him books 

 and papers, they came to his room and read for him, 

 and always felt more than rewarded by his shrewd 

 comments and telling illustrations. It was here that 



