Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-03-13
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LAURA BRIDGNAN.

Most Of our readers will recognize in this name
the lfltle deaf, dumb and blind girl, now at
tho Perkins institution IN Boston. We pub
llshod last year a very interesting report OF her
case and the progress she had made ii acquiring
knowledge H. the last Common School Journ-
al is an elaborate notice Of her case.-Auncxcd
wa give very touching extract, describing n
visit of her mother to the institution, and LaQra's
recognition OF Dor. She had boon about SIX
months in The As YUM when this occurred.
Portland Transcript.
The mother stood time, gazing with over
flowing owes upon her unfortunate child, who all
unconscious Of her presence, was playing about
she room. Presently Laura ran against her, nd
ut once began feeling Of her Understanding
her dress and trying to find out II she knew her;
but not succeeding here, she turned away as
from Q stranger, and the poor woman could not
conceal the pang she felt that her beloved child
did not know her
She then gave Laura string Of bends which
she used to wear at home, which, were recognized
b. the child once, who, with much Joy, put
them around her neck, and sought me eagerly,
10 soy she understood the string was from her
home.
The mother now tried 70 caress her, bnt poor
Laura repealed her, prciorring TO be with her ac
quaIntanccs.
Another article from, home was now given her,
and she began to Ioa!s much Interested: she
amincd tho stranger much closer, aud gave
understand that she knew she came frcm Hano-
yer: she even endured her carcsscs, but would
leave her with indifference at the slightest sig
nal. The distress Of the mother was now PAIN
fIi to behold; for, although sho had feared that
she should not be recc CniZed, the painful reality
Of being treated with cold Indifference by dar-
ling child, was too m!ch f.r womau's nature to .
bear.
After while, CT the mother taking hold of
her again, vague idea seemed to fit across I.au-
ra's mind that this could not be a stranger; she
49, IL Of hor b,r
her countenancc assumed an expression Of intense
intercst-she became very pale, and then sudden
ly red-hope seemed struggling with doubt and
anxiety, and never were conteading emotions
more strongly painted upon the human face. 4.
this moment Of painful unccrta;4tv- lhn rnnhar
-; TO-. i,,ao 20 her side, and kissed her fondlv.
when at once the truth flashed upon the child and
all misirust and anxiety disappeared from her
flushed face, as with an expression Of exceeding
low she eagerly nestled IN the bosom 0! her pa
rent. and welded herself to her fond embraces.
After this, the beads were all UNDECIDED; the
MIA v,hinGs which ~ ere offered 10 her we're utter {
iy dlsreoarded; her playmatcs, for whom but u
moment before she gladly ieit the stranger, now
vainly s,royc to pGIi her t:om her mother: and
9holoh she Welded her usual instantaneous obc-
tIience to my signal 10 follow Tac, il was evident
" with painful reluctance. She c.uug close 70
me, as i. bewilerc5 and icarluI and when, after
n moment took her tn her mother, she sqrang 10
her arms, and chung to her With eager Joy. Il
had watched The whole scene with intense IN
forest. bcinr DESTROYS ot learning from it all |
could of the workings OF her MIND: bat now ioit
them to indulge uroascrvod those delicious feel
inos which those who have known mothers .
love NAV conceive. but which cannot be expressed.
Tho Subsequent parting between Laura and
her mother, showed alike the Affection the intel
liccnce, aud the resolution Of the child; and was
thus noticed at the tine:
sLaura accompanying her mother to the door,
ciinrtnr close tn her all the way, uutii they n