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Four Deaf, Blind Mutes

Creator: n/a
Date: July 27, 1891
Publication: The New York Times
Source: n/a

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After he had been here six weeks he had begun developing into a sturdy little fellow, affectionate, full of merriment and quite easily controlled. He had been taught to feed himself, and he used both fork and spoon with ease and neatness. His table behavior was very good indeed. He sat beside his teacher, and every little while he would give a happy laugh, as though he enjoying the conversation of those about him. His teacher was trying to give him some idea of the finger language, but he had not grasped it. It was good fun for him to have her talk on his hand then, taking his own tiny fingers, make him make the letters. He evidently thought it some new amusement devised especially for his entertainment, but that there was any serious intention in it he did not for a moment suspect. He is being taught the difference between "must" and "must not," a very important lesson, by the way, and one little experience will show how readily he takes in the situation.

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A party of ladies, the Matron and Trustees and some friends, were sitting together in the sewing room of the kindergarten the other day, and Tommy was there. He was roving about the room, exploring every corner, when suddenly his attention was arrested by the sewing machine. He felt it over until he found the wheel, then sitting down he began to turn it. His teacher gave his hand a little pat, the signal when she wishes him to understand he must not touch an object. He drew back his hand, waited a minute, then reached out again; another tap. Again he sat, his brow knitted as if he were thinking very deeply about something. Suddenly it cleared, then out went the other hand; again the tap. Finding that his hands weren't to be allowed the pleasure of playing with this delightful newly-found toy, he tried the experiment with his feet, first with one, then with the other, with a similar result to that which had attended his attempts with his hands. For a moment after his last trial he sat with knitted brows, then, suddenly jumping up, he turned his back on the temptation, and went contentedly playing with some blocks which Miss Greeley gave him. What went on in the little brain no one could say, but it was evident that by some mental process he had come to the conclusion that he wasn't to touch the sewing machine in any way, he did not return to it again during the afternoon.

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Little Tommy and his teacher are spending the Summer with Miss Thayer and her little pupil, Willie Robin, at the home of the former, near Lowell. Miss Thayer thinks that little boy will gain more by contact with Willie a first then by any efforts to teach him. When he once gets the idea into his head that he can communicate with persons and make himself understood, the method of doing it will speedily follow.

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The stories of Edith Thomas and Willie Robin have been told very recently, so there is no need of giving much time to them. Edith is astonishing everybody by her beautiful handwork, particularly in the sloyd, which she takes up with marvelous readiness. Willie Robin is already articulating, and she will talk well. She has a most musical voice, and it is fascinating to hear her say "mamma." Her laugh is musical and full of inflections; one could easily believe that had she her hearing; she would sing exquisitely. She is a perfect mimic, and wants to everything like somebody else. Miss Greeley has been suffering from a broken knee, and since her convalesce she walks somewhat stiffly, as her knee is still bound. Willie insists on walking like her. She dances with the teachers, catching the step very readily, and she is grace itself.

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What will be the future of these children? Certainly the outlook is not hopeless as it would once have been.

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