Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1875 — Our Young Folks. [ARTICLE]

Our Young Folks.

SOME LITTLE FOLKS WHO LIVE IN THE DARK.

BY MARY P. THACHER.

Last winter, when there was such an excitement among Boston boys ovbr fine coasting, 1 used to see, j n a certain' secluded street, a party of blind bbvk sliding down hill as fearlessly as if their eyes were as bright as yours. They guided themselves partly by their acute sqnse of hearing, and if they sometimes ran into 'a fence, nobody washurt. These boys came from Dr. Howe’s School for the Blind, which Charles Dickens visited and wrote about the first time he was in this country. A great many curious strangers visit this school, for, though there arfe now many other such institutions, this was’the first one established in this country, and here Laura Bridgman still lives, jio longer a little girl, but a middle-aged woman. Many of you have read the history of Laura, and know how Dr. Howe found her in a little village among the mountains when she was a pretty child six years old; and how he took her home, and, though she was blind and deaf and dumb, taught her to read and write and do many useful things. Laura is still bright and happy, and very fond of her friends. It would amuse you to see her delight when she has a new shawl or bonnet, for she likes pretty things though she cannot see them; and if she should take a fancy to you she would pass her hand over your dress and feel your sleeve-buttons to know if they were like her own. Perhaps the strangest thing about Laura is her wonderfully nice touch, for she carries her eyes at her finger-ends! One day she went into the parlor and merely touched the hand of a lady who stood there, and then she gave a joyful cry, sprang into the air and fell fainting on the lady’s neck. It was an old and dear-ly-loved teacher who had been absent many years in the Sandwieh Islands, and had returned to this country without Laura’s knowledge. All the pupils of this school are taught simple trades, so that by and by they may’ be able t,o make their own way in the world, and some of them are much more successful in earning their bread and butter than many people who can see. One of the girls, who was very anxious to learn to play the piano, was not allowed to study music because it was .thought shehad no musical talent. But she was so determined to learn that she practiced in secret, and now she is one of the regular music teachers of the school. Once an attempt was made to form a brass band among the girls, like the boys’band, but the girls were not strong enough to blow the great instruments. They learned to cut and make their own clothes, and some of them, anxious to earn a little pocket money, have bebii found making bead baskets, or crocheting mats, long after they have gone to bed. Their chief amusement is playing dominoes, and one of their favorite books is “ The Old Curiosity Shop, - which Dickens’ own generosity placed within their reach. They never weary of reading, with their nimble fingers, the story’ of Little Nell.

Som&'bf the children have very odd, quaint little ways. Both boys and girls take care of their own rooms, and one morning a little girl could not spread the quilt smoothly on her bed. So she took it off, rolled it into the shape of a doll, scolded, patted and coaxed it, and trotted it on her knee; and then she unfolded the quilt, and it gave her no more trouble! There is a dear little French boy in the school, and when he first name the other boys made him very unhappy by telling him God would not hear his prayers if he said them in French! For blind boys are quite as mischievous as children who can see, and love to play tricks on each other. The older boys are not allowed to go to the lififfiry in the evening till the small urchins have gone to bed, for there is not room for all. One evening the big boys disobeyed this rule, and one of them, w’ho could perfectly imitate Dr. Howe’s voice and manner, ordered all his companions off to bed. They stand in great awe of the good doctor, and marched oft’very meekly! But when the last had gone, up stepped the doctor himself, and, laying his hand on the mimic’s shoulder, said: “Very well done, my lad; now you may go, too!”

As a rule blind children are not so strong, and therefore not as lively and noisy, as others; but they are much more thoughtful, and very sensitive to a sharp word. When they are alone their faces often wear a mournful expression, and I have seen but little bits of girls sit motionless, with bent heads, for many minutes at a time. They become much attached to their teachers, and in the vacations send them curious little rolls of paper through the mails. These are pricked letters, and a good many sheets of paper are required fur even a short letter written in this way. Often these children are so much petted and indulged at home that they are hard to manage. Not long ago a wild little Irish girl was brought to the school from the North End, a place in Boston where the poorest and lowest classes live, anil where good men and women are holding mission schools, and trying to teach the poor people how to make their homes better and happier. At first this little waif was so rebellious that nothing could be done with her. When she was told to say her lessons she would lie down on the floor and scream, and one day, in a passion, she kicked one of her little schoolmates and hurt her very much. But the power of love can work miracles. One day a teacher put a vase of flowers in the child’s room. This delighted the little thing, who declared the flowers were beautiful. After that she privately informed_one of her classmates that she “ was going to be bad in every class except Miss ’s.” By and by this favorite teacher, whom Flora called “her dear mother.” was taken sick, and finally had to go away. Little Flora went 'into her room, threw herself upon the empty bed, and cried bitterly. Then she began to think how she could please this dear, absent teacher, and hearing of a sick and suffering ch ild in a neighboring town she sent her a doll’s cap and chair made of beads. They were queer-looking Jittle objects, for Flora has not yet learned the art of beadwork. But she is learning a more beautiful lesson —how to forget herself and minister to others. And so, though it will take long years for Flora to outlive the of hex. early childhood, it is hoped she will grow up into a gentle, lovable woman? The brightest scholars never want any assistance unless it is given in the same way it would be given to a person who can see; and they like to be told to tee a thing, not feel it. For they dislike to be considered unfortunate, and think it almost an insult to be pitied. “I wouldn’t give a cent |o see,” said one of

these children not long ago; and she really meant what she said. Of course, the poor thing could not know what a world of wonder and beauty was shut out from her. And when another little girl nine years old was asked how she became blind she replied: By “being brought to the light when ’ only three weeks old; but you know we must bear these things.” Now many “seeing children” and some of us grown-up folks too, I am sorry to say, often feel discontented apd “blue,” and think we are hardly used without much reason. So it is good for us to know’ something about people who are really unfortunate but who are yet happy and contented apd full of courage. —Christian Union.