ON A VOYAGE OF HOPE.
“Well do I remember when the time came for Nellie to make the voyage of hope to England. I was to bring her, leave her with the specialist at his nursing home, and then travel England with a new boxing show. “Of course, all the street came to the station to see us off, -all the kiddies cheering and the women crying. Nellie seemed the happiest of the lot. “We eventually arrived in London, and, as I left Nellie in the nursing home, I felt she was in safe hands, and I had confidence in the specialist. Every week there was a letter sent from the home stating the progress of Nellie, and I also received a copy of it, no matter what Dart a the British Isles I was in.
“It was quite three months before an operation was performed on her. It was bad enough waiting for that, but it was nothing compared with waiting for the verdict. Im certain Mother and Dad must have been completely fed up with friends inquiries months before they got to know. “It was almost twelve months after the operation that my Mother and Dad received a letter, of which I received a copy from the specialist himself, in which he said: With my faith in God, I hope your daughter will be able to write you the next letter. “When I received my copy I was at Newcastle, and I couldnt wait for the next letter, so I made my way to London and straight to the nursing home I went. The specialist received me with joyfulness written all over his face. In three days your sister will be able to go home with you, in full possession of her eyesight. He then took me to see Nellie, who was in a shaded room. Although it was mid-day, the light of the room was a kind of twilight. “The first thing that Nellie said to me was : You have not altered a bit, Felix ; you are just as I always pictured you. See, this is my first letter to Mam and Dad, and they will get it before we get home.” “Of course, I had to wait three days before the specialist would let her go home, and it was like waiting three years. However, the three days passed, and Nellie and I were soon homeward bound. And what a homecoming we received! Not only was the street up, but all the town seemed to be at the station, and Im sure if the specialist had been with us he would have been hugged to death. “Our street and adjoining streets were gaily decorated, and a social on an immense scale was organised. It was at the social-concert that Nellie was called upon to speak to us. The room was packed to the doors, and what a reception she got as she stepped on the platform. ” Dear friends, she began. I know you are all glad to see me as I am to see you, and we are all glad the street singer came into our street to sing, for if he hadnt, I dont think I should be able to see you to-day. His song made my Daddy cry, and I am going to recite a verse of the same song, but with a different ending:
“THE LIGHT OF DAY.”
“I know the reason, Daddy, that I can see like you. Now I can see that you are nice and also kind and true. Mother said Gods Will be done, and to Him Ill always pray, Because He gave me back my sight, to see the light of day.” “Now that is the end of my story, boys, and I may not come to Earlestown again, as I am going home to Australia at the end of this summer.” We thanked Felix for his story, and as the three of us came out of his tent I happened to turn round, and, sure enough, Felix was using his handkerchief,
[THE END.]
WM. RYLANCE
95, Ellesmere Road,
Stockton Heath,
Warrington.
John Walker & Co. Ltd., “Examiner” Office, Bewsey Street, Warrington.
This text is transcribed by Steven Dowd from original material, published by The Warrington Examiner, 1935
If there are vocabulary errors or spelling mistakes in the transcription i can only apologise, because you can more than likely directly blame me for them.
This transcription, its errors, edits and its omissions are my own transcription from and in this form are copyright of Steven Dowd, if you plan to use this text or image on your website, or publication, please contact me.
?2006 – Steven Dowd
steven.dowd@newton-le-willows.com
https://www.newton-le-willows.com
