Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-01-02
DANCING WITHOUT MUSIC.
Deaf Mutes Use Their Eyes in Learnin
the Steps of the waltz.

the steps of the waltz.
A ball without music was ono of the
events of this city during the last week.
1t occurred at the Institute of the Deaf
and Dumb. Every thing had been at
tended to-the floral decorations, the
dainty refreshments, the illumination
of the buildings and grounds, and the
waxing of the dance-hall. The guests
were attired in full evening dress, and
early in the evening many retired to the
ballroom proper, whore already several
couples were whirling around in tho
waltz. And yet the unlimited, standing
just outside the door, would hardly have
been cognizant of what was going on,
for there were no strains of measured
music, no prompting from tho caller"
no sound except the occasional shuttle
on the smooth floor as the dancers
glided by. On first thought it might
seem as fitting to invite a party of blind
to witness an eclipse through a tele-
scope as to get up a dance for band of
deaf-mutes. But while the former is
impossible the latter is not.
Probably some of the most graceful
dancers of which Indianapolis society
can boast are totally devoid of the sense
of hearing. At the institution men-
toned dances arc not infrequent occur.
rences, and q glance at the dancers as
they 60 whirling across the floor is suf-
fcient to convince one that music is not
absolutely necessary for the pleasures
of the ballroom. And how do these
people learn the step?" asked the Jour
nal reporter of one of the teachers at
the institution.
ASK them," was tho reply.
And ask them he did. BY means of
an interpreter several personal ex-
periences were related. 81 first learned
to Dance" said one, when was twelve
years of age, after had beon mute for
three years. My two sisters could both
hear, and learned to dance early. AL
though my parents were opposed to pub
lie balls they encouraged parlor dane
ing, and many times have l sat and
watched my sisters glide over the floors
at home. They danced then to piano
music, all of which could not hear
could only content myself by seeing,
but that grew monotonous. asked N.Y.
self why l, too, should not dance, and I
could see no reason for answering tho
question in the negative. Finally I
spoke of my desire to my sisters and
they took it up at once 1t was nov,
city to them, and pulling one, too,
but they worked and worked and finally
came out victorious"
But how did you catch tho stop with
out the assistance Of music?" the re-
porter asked, again calling upon his in
terpreter for aid.
10, easily enough" came the reply,
II used my eyes instead of my ears,
saw that there was a certain regular
movement IN the waltz-step that was
similar to the beats in a measure of
music, for when l was nine years old,
before lost my hearing, was quite
musician for my age. My sisters
showed me the step by beating
time with stick and waltzing at the
the same time. 1 tried long time
before could get over the floor with
any degree of satisfaction, but finally
succeeded. 1t came to me in an instant,
just as one learns the swimming stroke.
but it came to stay. l shall never for
get it. And do miss the music? Not
bit. In fact, l think if 1 could hear
to-day I should prefer to waltz without
music There is a strange fascination
III keeping time with one's feet by
thought alone"
a young lady was next questioned,
and her case was evon moro parploXing.
She was born u deaf-muto bit learned
to dance at the age of sixteon. My
first lesson" she said was given to
me by the aid of two chairs. My only
sister was a graceful dancer, and,
against my own desires, insisted thatI
should learn. Turning two chairs back
to back, l would rest a hani on each
and throw all my weight on my arms.
In that way got that little hop that is
the secret of the waltz stop, but which
is hard to describe. l learned readily,
and was soon able to 60 on the flo with
gentlemen"
"And do you enjoy dancing now?" the
reporter asked.
''Do l enjoy it now? Well l should
say do, have more fun out of dane
ing now than | ever did There's moth
ing nicer to my notion than quadrille
or waltz. 1t lightcnt tho pathway Of
my life and makes mo happy.
anolis Journal