rs continued to flood my mind with knowledge, and the
want of eyesight did not distress me. When I touched an object, or
listened to a lesson, my mind stored it away for future reference, and
often now, when recalling some facts in history or geography, I can hear
the voice of the teacher who read the particular passage.

I was eight years old when I first examined a horse, although I was
familiar with the sound of its feet on the pavement, and knew whether it
walked, trotted or galloped. The horse I examined had been driven a long
distance, and so was very warm; when my hand was placed upon its mane,
the hair was damp and clung to the back, and there was an odor of
steaming flesh. A fly was tormenting the animal, and, as it tossed its
head impatiently, I could hear the rattle of harness, and the sound of
its restive foot upon the ground. These impressions have always remained
with me. My knowledge of the horse was acquired through the senses of
hearing, touch and smell. And so with the cow. I can hear its low "moo,
moo," hear the milk dropping into the pail, feel the hard outer shell of
the horns, and catch the odor that is ever present in the cow's domain.
The cat and dog have their peculiarities, too--the mewing of the cat,
and the sounds heard when it purrs while washing its face--the dog's
quick bark, and the sound it makes when panting for breath, as it rests
after a long chase. I know the animals have different colors, peculiar
to them, but this knowledge has no place in my mental conception of
them.

In judging people, the voice is my infallible guide. I am instantly
attracted or repelled by a voice, and my estimate of character is rarely
incorrect. By the voice I am able to form a very accurate idea as to
height, weight and age, so here again I do not feel the lack of
eyesight. The voice is an unfailing index to character, and the trained
ear is quick to catch the slightest variation in tone, and can detect
traits and moods hidden from the eye, because not registered upon the
face. There is a strong voice, a brave voice, a voice full of hope and
cheer; a tired voice, a crafty voice, a voice full of dull despair. And
so here again I do not feel the lack of eyesight in noting differences
in my fellow men. I know that there are distinguishing marks, that
heads are shaped differently, and that hair and eyes have different
colors, corresponding to the various types, as blondes or brunettes. All
this I know abstract