Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-08-26
Silent Fifty Years.

GuilfOrd, of Bluehill, Me-, says the
Philadelphia Inquirer. tits proverb-
ial that woman S tongue never stops.
but Miss Guilford's case is an excep-
tion to this rule, and for half century
she has held her peace. Not one sim
gle word or audible sound has this
woman allowed 10 pass her lips for a
period of fifty years.
The original reason for Miss Gull
ford 5 speechlessness was anger because
she could not marry the man of her
choice. When she was nineteen years
old she fell IN love with William Simp-
son, the village schoolmaster. They
were to be married on June Is, 1917.
One Of Miss Guilford's rejected suitors
told tales about the schoolmaster, and
Miss Guilfords parents stopped the
wedding. Miss Gmlford thereupon
said Il swear l will not speak a word,
though live for fifty years, unless
marry this man.
She kept her pledge. Her parents
died, and she went to live with her
married brother. When he died she
made her home with her sister, and
after the sisters death she went to
camp in the woods and kept house for
brother, with whom she is now living.
All this time she performed her share
in the household work and did not
show any regret for having made the
vow
When the fifty years Of silence ex-
pired, a short time ago, she was visited
by large number of relatives and
friends, who went to the camp for the
purpose Of being present when she was
at liberty to speak. Soon after tie
midday meal Miss Guilford dresscl
herself in the garments which she had
not worn for half century. At two
o'clock she stood before the people,
smiled and opened her mouth to speak;
but though she tried hard, and got rel
in the face trying, she could not utter
sound. Her vocal muscles had be.
come atrophied from long disuse and
refused to work.
When Miss Guilford found that sLc
could not speak, she sent to Bangor
for physician and took TO her bed.
The doctor gave no hope of recovery
of speech, but suggested that she bc
sent to Boston hospital for treatment.
As soon as Miss Guilford gets strong
enough to take the journey she will
make another effort TO regain her
speech. Her father left her a good
sum of money at his death, which has
been growing every year in a savings
bank, 80 that she is well able to OBJ
tain the treatment she requires.
Although Miss Guilford never could
be induced to talk, she did not avoid
society and always attended the vii
lage dances and parties. She would
Join in the general merriment, and
was never sensitive over any allusiops
made concerning her strange vow.
None Of the young men Of the village
would ever think Of asking her a ques-
ton, and when her company was de-
sired in a dance by any young man
he would simply walk up to her and
lead her on the floor, and she was al
ways quite a favorite with the beaux.
The only time she has been known
to show any Indignation about her Pc
culiarity happened about a year ago,
when formal invitation was sent 10
her to participate in proceedings Of the
village debating society. After this
Miss Guilford secluded herself for over
month, but after that che was again
seen in social circles.
When Miss Guilford's mother was
dying there was great excitement in
the town. Many persons felt sure
that when the mother died the daugh-
ter would speak, but they were dis.
appointed the end came, and the
daughters grief was deep, but it was
silent.
There were cases like this in insti-
tutions for the insane. Pretended
deafness is uncommon. A refusal to
speak is unusual. A celebrated case
is that Of Rose Barneat and her bus-
band Ralph, who lived in Terre Haute.
They were a loving couple. Both dis
agreed over tri6e one night. when
you come to me with an apology /
shall speak to you" she said. when
come to you with an apology you
will be older than you are now said
he.
These people lived together for thirty
years. They never intercbanged a
word directly. Communications that
they intended for each other were sent
through an Intermediary. A guest at
/ dinner was likely TO bear something
like this THAT was what Martha was
| ..-,;,,e, 20 rnv ann The other dav and