Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-04-24

LII 40 ' AA-A~A@f
SAINT LOUIS,
And all accessible points.
p@ Prompt attention to Collections
VS.. PoINDExTER. Cashier.
Jam 50 If
For the CHRONICLE.
THE HOME or THOSE WHOM
THE SHADOWS HAVE
KISSED.
One of the finest Institutions ir
New, York is the Blind Asylum on
9Th and 34th streets. In company
with blind friend / spent a day
there, and saw with wonder the
marvellous industry and ingenuity
of its two hundred pupils, Over
whose darkened vision Gods beau
tifuI sunshine never sheds its gold
en- light. On our entry we were
met by a third lady, who eonrte.
ously inquired our names, and find
ing out our mission, she at once
eagerly insisted that in person she
would show US over the building.
Going down a long corridor, and
up flight of steps, we were taken
into a long, light room, with many
wide windows and doors. Down
its length reached a low, broad ta-
BILE, and on either side, in regular
order, sat the blind girls engaged in
all kinds of fancy work, knitting,
needle work, etc. Here was slight
fair-faced blonde, weaving, by q
machine, a geHtleman's neck-scarf
there, a little brunette wove, with
deft fingers, lady's shawl !; the
bugz and whirr of the needles max,
ing a pleasant accompaniment tC
the low hum of voices. A feeling
of sadness pervaded everything, fol
on each quiet face there rested that
patient look of endurance SO much
sadder than tears. Looking sud.
denly over the bowed heads, my
eyes are caught and interested by
the face of a negro woman. sitting
in the midst of a fairer group, and
going up, ask her history. "Why
L am from the south," replied she
sand formerly lived with Col. Pc,
terson, of Virginia. / know of the
celebrated families of the state -
mentioning, among others, that g
Mr.. Tapscott and the Bakers, o.
Richmond.
1 at once proclaimed my south
ern blood, and quite a little friend
ship sprung up between us on the
strength of it. She gave her name
as Lucy Gillis, and as repeated il
a heavy shadow fell over her face
blotting out its transitory bright
ness. Our guide called us away
Just there, and we left to see the
work made for sale by these busy
hands, that stir so braveIy to dc
what lies before them. Going I'll
to a large glass showcase, a young
lady threw open its doors and badt
US see what wonderful works these
girls can do.
From top to bottom We're the
shelves filled with rare and beauti
full brackets, baskets, bead work
and exquisite little fancy articles.
of all kinds; lace and crochet trim,
ming, too, dainty and fine; dolls
dressed, and cunning
little playthings for children, made
by deft fairy fingers. We gazed in
amazement at them all, not realiz,
ing the time and labor spent in ac-
complishing this until memory
of the room beyond with its patient
workers rose before US, and their
untiring energy came to mind.
Next we were taken into the
boys department, where we found
them writing. A slate with grooved
lines is used to place the paper up
on, and by slowly running the fn-
gers over this they are enabled to
feel and follow the lines. Then we
heard a class read from Scripture,
the books being all printed in raised
letters. Next came what is called
an object lesson, the teacher max
ing them describe the size shape
and general appearance Of different
bodies, and with few mistakes this
was accurately done.
After awhile we were invited tC
go up into the chapel, to hear the
musical exercises by the whole
so after the silyery chime OF
the bell ceased, in from one door
marched the girls and from another
came the boys. Suddenly a clear
mild piano solo commenced, and
then a fine male voice took up the
notes, followed speedily by another,
until a grand chorus woke the ech-
oes that were sleeping in the mighty
building. A great wave of music
rushed over us all, and upon those
darkened faces fell a rapt express
sion, as though their souls had just
awakened into life by this exquisite
harmony of the great blind musi-
clan of old.
We sat facing this multitude of
denied ones-some mere children,
others standing on the portals OF
Iife-where childhood meets wo-
manhood, manhood, and looking
at them all our eyes grow dim with
plying tearsr our hearts ache in
hopeless pain for their loss-all
dark and dreary, "A hush has fall
len again upon us, and then a little
girl gIides gently before US, and,
crossing to where the piano stands,
softly plays in a sad, weird key a
dainty fantasy. Then follows a
master piece by young man in
blending, brilliant strains. His
touch is quick and fine, and show
ers of quivering notes attest his
skill. He seems to breathe out all