Standish High School - Crimson Rambler Yearbook (Standish, ME)

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She had a very sweet disposition and everyone liked her. The people in the village came to visit her often. Her parents got her a seeing-eye dog. Then they hired Mrs. Charlotte Smith to teach her how to read Braille. She learned very quickly. Dorcus grew tote a very beautiful young woman. One day on her 17th birthday she was walking in the park with her seeing-eye dog, Laddie. She was sitting on a bench when she realized that someone was sitting beside her. He introduced himself as Richard Anderson. He asked if he might walk her home. He noticed the dog and realized that she was blind. When they arrived at her house she invited him in to meet her parents. When Richard had left,her parents told her that he was! well-dressed and must come from a wealthy family. He called on her many times after that and soon they fell in love. They were married on Dorcus' eighteenth birthday. Her husband wished to have her sight restored so he took her to a specialist. He told her that there was a fifty-fifty chance that she might see again. After the operation she wore the bandages for about six weeks. Then the great day came when they were to be taken off. Everyone held their breath. UDorcus, can you see?U asked her husband. nYes,H she replied happily,U for the first time in twelve years I can see, and I owe it all to you. For the rest of my life I am going to help the blind for I know how miser- able one can be who can see nothing but darkness.H Dorcus and her husband devoted their lives to helping the blind. They founded a school for the blind where Dorcus taught the Braille system. Because they had given their lives so completely to helping others they were both happy. ' E. Holmes ' S. Nelson'

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Dorcus Dorcus was a very pretty little girl. When she was six years old she started school. She was very sweet and was loved by all her classmat One day when the chi room was quiet they hoard a loud explosion. The got panicky and all start teacher stopped them at the door and got them in that they could march out est ' ldren were studying and the children ed to rush for the door at once. The line so when they get outside they discovered that one of the children was missing. Do house to rescue her. Dorcus searched all find her. She rushed up the smoke-filled rooms. She took her by the arms A burning Stick fell and rcus rushed into the flaming school- over the first floor and could not the flaming stairway and into one of There she found the unconscious girl. and tried to drag her to the window. struck Dorcus in the eyes. She screamed with pain. Then everything went black. When Dorcus woke up she tried to open her eyes, but could not. Everything was black. Her head ached and her eyes hurt. She called out and soon she heard her mother's soothing voice telling her that everything was going to be all right. Then Dorcus remembered the fire and she asked if her little friend had been hurt. Her mother told her that she was fine and that they why she could ages over her in a hospital going to take eyes. Her her home. had both been rescued by firemen. Dorcus asked not see and her mother told her that she had band parents explained to her that she was and that as soon as she was well enough they were Weeks passed and every day her parents came to see her. Many friends came to see when they were going to t day the doctor would repl patience, Dorcus.W One day Dorcus was t her, too. Every day she asked ake the bandages off her eyes and every y,WSoong You must have courage and old that the bandages were going to be taken off. Her mother and father and several doctors were present. The doctor cut the bandages and asked her if she could see anything. 'She buried her head in the pillow and began to cry. It was then that they knew she would be blind for the rest of her life. The next day her parents took her home. Her mother brought her meals to her of the day. Life went on in this on a tray and read to her most manner for a few weeks until she began to learn how to walk around the house by hanging on to the furniture.

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We Took Boarders At the time of this story we lived'in a small eastern town. so that we My mother wanted very much to build a stable might raise horses. Dad owned a general store in the town but the income was never large enough to lay away much money. By the time he had payed for food and clothes for a family of six plus frequently visiting in-laws the money was nearly gone. Mom with her love for horses decided to make some money by herself. We had a large old-fashioned house and now that we children were not babies she thought that taking boarders would be just the thing. So with the help of Ben, my brothen she made a large sign with the words nBoardersn printed in bold letters. It was in were coming to the town there night and this The first the our was was day early part of the summer and many tourists small town for rest and relaxation. In only one other place for people to stay over a disreputable looking hotel. we put up our sign in the middle of the afternoon, a loving young couple on their honeymoon inquired about a room. Mom was delighted and immediately gave them the best room we had. She told them what the cost would be and when supper was to be served. Most of the afternoon they sat in the love seat on the lawn, until my brother, Bill, caused them to have an argument. He hid behind the lilac bushes on the lawn, and with an old stick kept tickling the girl and ruffling up her hair. She turned into a little spitfire and blamed her loving husband for ruining her new hair-do. He tried to tell her that he wasn't doing it but she would not listen. nRudolph, don't perfect wreck.N And to the room they had let poor Rudolph in, you ever speak to me again., Now I'm a with that she went into the house and up been given. She locked the door and wouldn't where upon, he had to sleep in the car. afternoon we took in several other During the course of the boarders. In fact we had our rooms all filled by eight thirty. wasnft too pleased, for he didn't When Dad arrived home he like having strange people in we would be robbed and murdered during the night. the house. He was always afraid We were just preparing for bed at ten-thirty when there was a knock on the door. Mom went to the door while Dad waited up stairs with a gun, in case it was burglars. But there was no need of the gun for it was a very timid little man stand- ing in the doorway. He wanted a room for himself and his wife. Mom said she was very sorry but there were no vacancies. The little man looked so very disappointed that he softened mom's heart. In a few minutes the man was in the house with his robust wife beside him. They were having Mom and Dad's room over the night. Meanwhile Dad was in the attic setting up an extra bed for himself and Mom.