THE BLIND COME HOME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2652, 24 December 1915, Page 3

THE BLIND COME HOME

TWO SIGHTLESS SOLDIERS, : Pathetic incidents were witnessed at the Base Hospital in Melbourne a few days ago, when Hugh Ball, one of the wounded soldiers who returned from Gallipoli, was met by his father and mother, who had come to take him home. ~ He has been granted two weeks' leave of absence; then'he must return to the hospital, for he is not yet convalescent. The "Argus,". in describing this incident, says: "Ball has had'both eyes shot out, he lost his right hand through tho premature explosion of a bomb that •ho was in the act of throwing,' and he has received other severe injuries that he has not yet recovered from. This fortnight's leave was given to him because tho medical authorities thought that the change ■' at the quiet country ' home might brace him up for what ho may yet have to undergo. For the rest,' lie needs 110 bracing up; sightless, irretrievably maimed, at 19 years of age, he was always one of tho most cheerful patients in the hospital, and his com-. . rades testify to the splendid, unflagging optimism that he showed throughout,tho voyage. There are stories of his courage and resource on the field of battle. One.. can well believe them; and if, as it has been said of old, the gods ,love the 6ight of a'brave man struggling'with misfortune, then young Ball, sightless, helpless, hut altogether uiiconqucred, must have won a.higher meed of praise than we can give" him. . "Hardest of all that Ball has gone through jwrhaps, was that meeting yesterday. The father, old and white-haired, broko down when lie took his blind, young soil into his arms. The mother,' younger and stronger, was quiei and Only her,white, drawn face, which the son could not see, showed what she was suffering. "The ladies who'are providing the refreshment stall at tlie hospital had sent for a taxi-cab, and they gave the little party a heartfelt 'send-off.' Just before they left another patient—Tom Skehill— who has also lost the sight .of both eyes, was led up that he might shake hands with his friend in misfortune. It is not so easy for'two Jiewly-bliud men to shake hands, was only after some fumbling* about, in tho darkness that overshadowed them that- their hands met. 'Good-bye, Hughie.' 'Good-bye, Tom, old boy? "The chief actors in this little scene, reaching blindly for each other's hands, and each smiling into the face that ho would never see again, were quite cheerful, but there were ' few dry eyes amongst those who were looking on."