Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-07-06

Il he following thriiiing inciaent--tnc meet
ing Of mother and her child-is from re-
port by DR. Howe. Principal Of tho Perkins
Institution for the Blind at Boston. concern
ing Laura Bridgmsn, The deaf. dumb. and
blind girl whose only means Of communica
ton with objects around Der is by the touch.
which is remarkably ecute:
During the last year. and SIX months Of.
ter she had lert her home. her mother came
to visit her and the scene at their meeting
was an interesting one
The mother stood some time. gazing with
overlooking eyes upon her unfortunate child,
who. all unconscious Of Der presence. was
playing about the room. Presently Laura
ran against her, and at once began feeling Of
her hands. examining Der dress. and trying to
find out il she knew her but not succeeding
here. she turned away as from stranger, and
the poor woman could sot conceal the psngs
she felt that her beloved child did not know
her.
She then gave Laura a string Of beads
which she used to wear st home, which was
recognized by the child at once. who. with
much joy. put them around her neck. and
sought eagerly to say she understood the
string was from her home.
The mother now tried to caress her but
poor Laura repealed her, preferriug to be with
her aequaintances.
Another article was now given her. and
she began to look much interested /; she ex
emined the stranger much closer, and gave
me TO understand that she came from Hano-
yer; she even endured her carebses, but
would leave her with indifference at 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 Lauras mind, that this could not be
stranger; she therefore felt of her hands
very eagerly, while her countenance assumed
an expression Of interest she became very
pale, and then suddenly red hope seemed
struggling With doubt and anxiety, and never
were contending emotions more strongly pain
ted upon the human face. AT this moment
of painful uncertainty ~ mother drew Der
close to her side, and Kissed her fonily. when
at once the truth flashed upon the child, and
oil mistrust- and anxiety disappeared from her
flushed face. as with anexpression of exceed
ing JOY she eagerly nestled in the bosom Of
her parent, and yielded herself to her fond
embraces.
After this. the beads were all UNDECIDED /;
the playthings which was offered TO her were
utterly disregarded; her playmates, for whom
but a moment before. she gladly left the
stranger, now vainly strovc to pull her from
her mother; and tho she yielded her usua
instantaneous obedience to my signal to fol
low me, it was evidently with painful reluc
lance. She chung close to me- as il bewild
cred and fearful; and when. after moment
| took her to her mother. she sprang to hel
arms, and chung to her with eager joy.
1 had watched the whole scene with in
tense interest being DESTROYS Of learning from
it all could of the working Of her mind bu
now left them to indulge unobserved those
delicious feelings, which those who~havf
known mothers love may conceive, bu
which cannot be expressed"