The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-15
Games Elsewhere,
BLIND CHILDREN AT PLAY.
What Reporter Saw During Visit to the
Blind Asylum.

Yesterday afternoon journal reporter was
passing by the Blind Asylum grounds. The sun
was shining and from within the Enclosure came
the noise-mingled shouts and laughter-of chill
dren at play. They were at some distance from
him, and as they ran after each other, and ran
rapidly, skillfully lodging the catcher, the look
er-on could not quite bring himself to believe
that they were blind. Entering the gate he met
Superintendent Jacobs: Eyes, those are blind
boys. A few of them, however, can see little.
They play just like other boys and are just as
noisy. The small boys play here, driving each
other around the yard at a rapid gait. They do
some wonderful things at play, their hearing
being so acute that it seems to take the place of
eyesight. Come over into the wood lot and see
them play shiny"
The reporter did So There they were, five
boys playing Skinny, tin can answering for
the wooden block or ball usually used in the
game. They followed the can by sound, and
dealt it vigorous blows, driving it over the yard
1t looked like dangerous sport, and the
porter asked if the boys not hurt often.
Every rarely" said the superintendent; 1.-The
sport looks dangerous but they are not hurt in
their plays as often as boys who have eyesight
anu all inc IdcullleS. luclr hearing is HdfN6l-
Gus. At times l have been in the yard and, as
an experiment. have tried to slip up near
enough to overhear them. They have heard
me- and run after me, sometimes even
catching me after a brisk run. They play
marbles sometimes, and humble the-peg is
favorite game with some of them. They play
ball. tossing it to each other, following it by the
noise it makes in the air, and the sound
of the rebound. Some of the smaller boys,
like small boys endowed with sight, have fond
ness for dabbling in water. It's hard work to
keep them away from the pump and every little
while new handle has to be put in or repairs of
some kind be made" The reporter was then
taken to the girls side of the play grounds.
They are less noisy in their play than the boys,
and their amusements, doll babies and all, are
funate sisters Some little girls were
playing house keeping in a minia-
ture cottage built upon the west fence, others
were swinging, others running and jumping, and
yet others, with arms about each others waists,
walking about the grounds doubtless whisper
ing girlish secrets.
The superintendent lastly showed the re-
porter five boys playing dominoes. One of the
boys-he was about fifteen years old-was a ne
gro He had bright and cheerful face despite
his sightless orbs, and seemed great favorite
with the other boys They played the block
game, and put the pieces down without halt or
hesitation MY next 60" said one. Here's
the double FIVE" BLANK FIVE" said the next.
Three FIVE" said the next calling the ends to
be played on 'Fivefve," five six, zone fve"
''naught-ive" II can't play" Draw one"
''Four-fiven ''one-six, double six" ETC. When
the lucky one ''dominoed" the score counted
fftyo The play was as rapid as it would
have been had each player had his sight,