It is intriguing that in the last paragraph, Holmes mentioned "rich man or woman," for it was a rich woman who was to read this letter and write to W.G.H.: "I saw your communication today, and as I am interested in doing something for the blind along the printing line, I would like to communicate with you."

The letter was signed E.M. Ziegler. Walter Holmes may have recognized the surname, for William Ziegler had been in the news when he sponsored two Arctic expeditions in the race for the North Pole. What probably did not occur to Walter Holmes was that E.M. Ziegler was a woman—in fact the widow of that millionaire industrialist, who had died just the day before Holmes penned his letter to The New York Herald.

Years later, Matilda Ziegler's son, William Ziegler, Jr., described her reaction to that letter: "Mother read the article out loud to me at the breakfast table and for the rest of the day she was most quiet and thoughtful. The next day she sent for Mr. Holmes, who came out to our place in Connecticut to discuss the project." The nine-year-old William Ziegler, Jr., was present for part of the interview with Walter Holmes, and was "impressed with the clarity of Mr. Holmes's plan—the deep thought he had given it. Mr. Holmes was an able newspaperman, thoroughly qualified to carry on this work."

Mrs. Ziegler was equally impressed. "Start the magazine; I will pay the bills," she said. Walter Holmes could hardly believe his ears. "But, my dear madam," he expostulated, "do you realize that this will require many thousands of dollars every year?" "I will pay the bills," reiterated Mrs. Ziegler, smiling.

"I felt I was dreaming," Holmes said later, "and I didn't want to turn over on my side for fear I'd wake up."