The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1891-02-11

events in this city recently. says the In
dianapolis Journal It occurred at the
Institute for the Deaf and Dumb.
Every thing had been attended to-the
floral decorations, the dainty refresh
ments, 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 entered to the ball room
proper, where already several couples
were whirling around in the waltz
And yet the unlimited, standing just out
side the door, would hardly have been
cognizant of what was going on, for
there were no strains of measured music,
no prompting from the caller" no
sounds except the occasional shuttle on
the smooth floor as the dancers glided
by. On first thought it might seem as
fitting to invite party of blind to wit
ness an eclipse through a telescope as
to get up dance for a band of deaf
mutes. But while the former is impos-
sible, the latter is not.
Probably some of the most graceful
dancers of which indianapolis can boast
are totally devoid of the sense of hear
ing. At the institution mentioned dances
are not infrequent occurrences, and a
glance at the dancers as they 60 whirl-
ing across the floor is sufficient to con-
necessary for the pleasures of the ball
room. "And how do these people learn
the step?" asked 4 reporter of one of the
teachers at the institution.
ASK them" was the reply
And ask them he did. By means of
an interpreter several personal expert
ences were related. 81 first learned to
Dance" said one. when ! was twelve
years of age, after ! had been a mute
for three years. My two sisters could
both hear, and learned to dance early.
Although my parents were opposed
to public balls, they encouraged parlor
dancing, and many times have I
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.
I asked myself why L, too, should not
dance, and l could see no reason for
answering the question in the negative.
Finally spoke of my desire to my Sis
tiers, and they took it up at once. 1t
was novelty to them, and puzzling
one, too, but they worked and worked,
and finally came out victorious"
"But how did you catch the step with
out the assistance of music?" the re-
porter asked, again calling upon his in
terpreter for aid
ooh, easily enough" came the reply.
81 used my eyes instead of my cars.
saw that there was certain regular
movement in the waltz step that was
similar to the beats in measure of
music, for when I was nine years old,
before lost my hearing, I was quite
musician for my age. My sisters showed
me the step by beating time with a
stick and Waiting at the same time.
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.
1 shall never forget it. And do miss
the music? Not bit. In fact, think
if could hear to-day should prefer to
waltz without music. There is strange
fascination in keeping time with ones
feet by thought alone"
A young lady was next questioned.
and her case was even more perplexing.
She was born deaf-mute, but learned
to dance at the age of sixteen. my
first lesson" she said, twas given to me
by the aid of two chairs. My only sis
ter was graceful dancer, and, against
my own desires, insisted that should
learn. Turning two chairs back to
back, would rest a hand on each and
throw all of my weight on my arms. In
that way got that little hop that is the
secret of the waltz step, but which is
hard to describe. l learned readily, land
was soon able to 60 on the floor with
gentlemen"
"And do you enjoy dancing now?" the
reporter asked.
''Do 1 enjoy it now? Well, should
say do. have more fun out of dane
ing now than l ever did. There's moth
ing nicer, to my notion, than a quadrille
or a waltz. 1t lightens the pathway of
my life and makes me happy"