The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-22
Pennsylvania Oral
School for The Deaf

m ASSING up the steep road 10
IDJ Dunmore from North park on
toward Forest Hill cemetery, tn"
u casual observer little realizes, as
he gIances over the picturesque yet
somewhat unkept foreground of she
dark grey stone buildings at the le;r
what transformation scene takes
place when the waving screen of trees
is penetrated and one stands at the
front entrance. Here tho lawn is
smooth and vclvety. The well kept
gravel drive has a noble sweep, and at
it's outer circle. roses in masses Of
beauty bloom i'm sickle curve beneath
the great trees
Down the hill disappears the steep
path that leads across the brook, and
the prospect from every side is lovely.
I'VE haven't the funds" said Miss
Brown. TO properly care for the
grounds near the street, but We try to
make the spot about the building as
attractive as possible" Not less beau
tiful at close range is this home for
the deaf of our state-yhe Pennsyl-
vania Oral school. Sunny and bright
with it's pretty bow windows and
pleasing traCery on glass confined cor
within. where trailing vines and u
luxurious growth Of plants fill every
window it is utterly uni. g an institu-
tion, And the banner over it it is
love"
Beyond the stream floats the big
flag of the school and the red, white
and blue is seen at every turn, but def
,I-.,l III r,lt
sweet influence of the patient, gentle
| ones who control those beneath the
roof to whom is lost the silver key Of
speech. There is something pathetic
in the contemplation of the confidence
and devotion displayed by these
| children and youth for Miss Brown
and their teachers. 1t isn't for show
| The dulled ears could not comprehend
| such a desire, and the expressive eager
| faces would be too quick to tell the
| tale of unusual gentleness. They are
| used to it, expect and take it in as
| freely as the clear air in which they
! spend so much time.
Today the year at the Oral school
| clcses and the 80 pupils go to their
! several homes for vacation. For the
! past two days their work has been on
|
! beer public. There has been no at
| tempt to have "show lessons" the
recitations having been of regulation
! order. In the Office the work Of the
! industrial departments was shown.
There We're little shoes made entire
| ly by the boys, who also showed many
! pretty articles in wood and wrought
! iron. The "Sloyd" work is indeed
a. Al.
wood working system introduced
! through the efforts of Mr. Henry Belin,
! jr., to whom is due great credit for
! this opportunity afforded the pupils
! for becoming adept in manual train
! ing which gives a marvellous facility
to the fingers and develops originality
and ability
! James T. Geddes is the instructor in
! this department. The pupils work
| from designs on the plane surface, and
are obliged to have their tasks abso-
! lutey correct before it is accepted
The wroueht-iron grill work is won-
! derfully well done; candle-stcks, PEN
racks, side brackets are innumera BILE
small and useful things being devised
! i'm the graceful bent iron, The girls
|
| ments of plain sewing, CroChetinG and
more elaborate needlework. These ar
ticles were all for sale, and not a few
visitors went away with souvenirs Of
| their stay.
! 1t may not be generally understood
that children between the ages Of C
ana 20 are received from any portion
of this state and that they may remain
ten years. Should they stay long
| enough they are sent out into the
world equipped with a trade. Already
a number of girls are becoming expert
i'm dressmaking, while the boys read
! lily learn to employ their hands and
/ brains.
4 deaf child's attention is easily
fixed and thus the teacher is given a
! certain advantage in her arduous
! work. The classroom Is an exceed
| ingly interesting spot, especially where
| the tiny children are. In one grade
! there were eight children yesterday Of
five different nationalitics, American,
! English, German, Polish and Hungar-