Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-08-27

The BLIND GIRL AND HER MOTHER The following
thrilling incident-the meeting of mother and her
chid-is from report by DIR. Howe Principal of the
Perkins Institution for the Blind of Boston, concern
ing Laura Bridgeman, the deaf dumb and blind girl
whose only means of communication with objects
around her is by the touch, which is remarkably
acute:
During the last year, and six months after she
had left her home, her mother came to visit her
and the scene of their meeting interesting
The mother stood for some time gazing with over
flowing eyes upon her unfortunate child, who, all
UNCONSCIOUS OF her presence was playing about the
room. Presently Laura ran against her, and at once
began feeling OF her hands, examining her Dress and
trying to find out if she knew her; but not succeed
ing here, she turned away asfrom stranger and the
poor woman could not conceal the pangs she felt that
her beloved child did not know her.
She then gave Laura string of beads which she
used to wear at home which were recognized by the
child at once who, with much joy, put them around
her neck and sought eagerly to say she understood
the string from her home.
The mother now tried to caress her. but poor
Laura repealed her, preferring to be wit her &C
quaintances.
Another article from home was now giyen her. and
she began to look much interested; she examined
the stranger much closer, and gave to understand
that she came from Hanover; she even endured her
caresses, but would leave her with indifference the
slightest signal The distress of the mother was now
painful to behold; for although she had feared that
she could not be recognized the painful reality of
being treated with cold Indifference by darling child
was too much for woman's nature to bear.
After while, on the mothers taking hold of her
again, vague idea seemed to fit across Laura mind
that this could not be stranger; she therefore felt
of her hands very eagerly, while her countenance
sumed expression of intense interest-she became
very pale, and then suddenly red-hope seemed
struggling with doubt and anxiety; and never were
contending emotions more strongly painted upon the
human face. At this moment of painful uncertainty
the mother drew her close to her side and kissed her
fondly when at the truth flashed upon the child
and all mistrust and anxiety disappeared from her
flushed face, with expression of exceeding ioy
she eagerly nestled in the bosom of her parent and
yielded herself to her'fond embraces.
After this, the beads were all UNDECIDED the play
things which offered to her utterly disre-
garded; her playmates for whom, but moment be-
fore, she gladly left the stranger, vainly srove
to pull her from her mother and though she yielded
her usual instantaneous obedience to my signal to
follow me- it evidently with painful reluctance
She chung close to me- if bewildered and fearful;
and when after moment, took her to her mother,
she sprang to her arms and chung to her with eager
joy.
I had watched the whole scene with intense inter
est being DESTROYS of learning from it all could of
the workings of her mind, but Il now left them to
indulge, unobserved, those delicious feelings which
those who have known mothers love may conceive
but which cannot be expressed"
The subsequent parting between Laura and her
mother showed alike the affection, the intelligence
and the resolution of the child and thus noticed
at the time.
Laura accompanied her mother to the door, cling
ing close to her all the way, until they arrived at the
threshold where she paused and felt around to as
certain who was near her. Perceivng the matron,
of whom she is very fond, she grasped her with
hand, holding on convusively to her mother with
the other, and thus stood for moment-then she
dropped her mothers hand-put her handkerchief to
her eyes, turning around, chung sobbng to the
iron, while her mother departed with emotion as deep
those of her child"