The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-29
BLIND, DEAF AND DUMB.
THE PARTICULARS A RECENT VISIT TO LAURA
BBIDGMAN.

IHE fARllIOLAhS Of RECENT VISIT TO
BBIDGMAN.
[Amanda B. Harris in the Christian Union.l
few weeks since l visited Laura Brldgman
in her home near the institution for the bind at
South Boston. Ii any one supposes that by
reason Of her deprivation she is queer or awk-
ward in person or manner he is altogether i'll
error. There is nothing at all singular in her ap-
pearance. When entered the parlor, member
OF the family with whom she lives playing
on the piano, and close beside her, on low seat,
there was very slight, very erect, quiet, self
possessed looking girl, who seemed 10 be listen
ing to the music while her hands were busy over
some crochetlng or similar work. she would
have been taken for guest who was nmbly
fashioning some pIetty article while being enter
tanned with music.
The expression of her face bright and
interesting, and one watching her satisfied look
would have been slow to believe that she did not
hear. The green shads over her eyes indicated
that she was one of the blind. She had on
brown dress, blue ribbon at the neck, gold
ring and chain, and a watch and locket IN her
belt-a neatly attired, genteel, lady-llke person,
looking about thirty five, though her age is
really not far from forty-iour, with soft, brown
hair smooth and fine, well-shaped head, fair
COMPLEXION and handsome features. That
Laura. Dr. Howe spoke Of her rs 'comey and
refined in form and attitude, graceful in motion
and positively handsome IN features" and Of her
Expressive face" which, indeed, IN sensibility
and intelligence, is above instead Of below the
average.
AS soon as the information was conveyed to
her that she ad visitor from her native State,
who knew people in the town where her nearest
kindred live, she came swiftly across the room,
leaving her work on the center table she passed
it, and grasped my hand, laughing with the
eagernesss of child. Then she sat down face
70 face with the lady who has charge OF her, and
commenced az animated conversation, by the
manual alphabet easily understood by one who
has practiced it; but the shght-of- hand by which
the fingers Of the friendly hostess manipulating
II 6nr rIlfS q aI IN
that living consciousness shut in there without
one perfect sense except OF taste and touch,
was something mysterious, lnscrutable to my
duer sense. Yet that the con. munication was
definite quick, incisive to speak, was manifest
enough, for Laura's face beamed, and she was
all alert.
Partly by the letters and partly by signs she
said great deal to me- she ought to be at
home to be company Tor mother" she said and
once or twice she fashioned the word "Mam-
ma . very distinctly with her lips With regard
to this vocal expression, DIR. Howe says She
has attained such facility for talking in the
manual alphabet that regret that did not try
also to teach her to speak by social organs, or
regular speech" She asked if | knew member
of herfamily now dead, and said That was a
- hong year after Carl died" She seemed brim-
ming over with things to tell me, and wanted me
TO know about her teaching some OF the bid
girls to sew, which ID part OF her daily employ
ment in the school near by, and which she takes
great pride in, threading the needles and making
nicely She is good seamstress herself does
fancy work, and can run sewing machine.
Next she caught no of my hand and led me
lid two flights of stairs to her room, to show me
her things; but the first movement was to take
me to the window, where she patted on the glass
and signified that | should see what peas
ant prospect there was frY m 1t. And there she,
who had never seen heard, waited by my side
in great content while looked ana listened; the
sky was blue, with white clouds foatlAg over it,
and birds were singing; 1t was perfect April
day. but she could get no Consciousness OF 1t,
except in the softness Of the air. wish | could
bring before all those who are discontinued with
their lot, repining because God has withheld
something from them or taken something away,
the cheerful face of this girl who has so little,
but who accepts it il she had all; who has
never seen human countenance or heard
human voice who in the Infinite glory and beauty
of this outward world has no part, shut IN by
herself in that silent, dark, unchsnglng, awful
loneliness.
The next act was to show me how springy her
bed was then she deliberately took off her shawl,
as if she meant business, and showed me all the
pretty things and conveniences she had In her
room opening every box and drawer and display
ing the contents; her Jet chains she laid gainst
her neck her bows and collars and embroidered
handkerchiefs were taken up one by one, then
deity replaced in their proper receptacles; her
writing materials, sewing implements, little
statuetes, tripkets, large Bible-I had to see
them all, and then her wardrobe, and 1t was with
the greatest delight she ran her fingers over the
~shirrs OF the t1ounce OF her best winter dress
and the ouirass basque, as if to say her things
were in the latest fashion.
Finally she took out a sheet of paper, pressed
it down on her French writing board examined
the point Of her pencil, and wrote her autograph:
tsGod is love and truth. l., n Brdgman." And
then from her needle and spool. box produced
a cambria needle and fine cotton and showed me
how she threaded needle, which was done by
holding the eye against the tip OF her tongue,
the exGu site nicely OF touch in her tongue guild
ing her to pass the thread through. 1t was done
in an Instant though it seemed impossible to do
it ut ALL and then she presented me the threaded
needle triumphantly, having secured it by slip
pnd knot
After descending to the parlor, she told me
how kind it was in DR.. Howe to fit her up such a
pre- ttv room, and then must go into the school
ROOM whether she led me by the hand, and in
troduced me to several of her friends among the
pupils, and when l took my departur she would
have the teacher go with me to the door to tell
me which car to take.
The last report of DIR. Howe gives some par
ticula1s relating to the way in which he brought
this very interesting girl into communication
with her fellow-creatures, making her ''one OF |
the human family" patiently, laboriously. low |
ingly going over a tedious process. month after |
month"; and year after year, until she became !
what she is. She has home during the cold |
weather at the in .titute; she earns "a little |
money by making bead baskets" ETC., and has |
the interest on two thousand dollars, which was
|beaueathed to her by two friends, mother and |
daughter; "but still che barely receives enough |
for necessary articles of Dress" he adds, gently
Suggesting the needs Of "this dear child Tor |
whom he has done so much. |