The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-16

Yesterday was visitors day at the
Pennsylvania Oral school and most in
teresting, indeed, was the work shown
to the guests who were conveyed from
room to room by one of the smiling
teachers.
1t is not called commencement day,
as there is a marked absence Of most
of the accessories of the traditional
commencement. To be sure, there are
flowers in abundance, but they grow
outside on the luxuriant rose trees, or
bloom in riotous beauty in bowls about
the rooms, but there is no long row OF
whlte-clad maidens waiting for diplo-
mas; there are no bouquets for them
no eager congratulations, no chorus
singing, no recitations, no class prophe-
cies, no salutatory, no valedictory with
the fair pages and floating white rib
bons.
From all these, and many other
things, are these who have long lost
the golden key" that unlocks the door
of silence, barred out. Among the
"other things" are some for whose alb
sence there may be those of us who
attend the conventional commence
| perhaps even some of the sweet girl
| graduates themselves, who might see
a faint cause for congratulating the
quiet throng at the Oral school.
For instance, they do not have to
| listen politely to long addresses by
school controllers, teachers and other
well-meaning but misguided friends,
a.d they are not half dead as the re-
Of pnir N of nd
| torturing envy as to "honors," gradua-
| ton gowns, or perhaps the first dress
| suit.
Nothing less like a public institution
in appearance than the Oral School for
| the Deaf can we'll be imagined. The
cold, gray granite, as seen from the
street, gives small idea of the beauty
and light and brightness of the airy
rooms, through the quaint traceried
panes of which are seen lovely gimpses
of the rich broidery of ivy outside, the
shadows of waving tree branches, the
color of flowers and the flash of bird
wings. 1t is an ideal spot, and no Won
der that the little ones, whose sealed
ears and dumb lips lent an air of pa
tlent dullness to their poor faces when
they first came, blossom out into radi-
brows, as their days pass amid such
benignant surroundings.
MUCH LIKE OTHER CHILDREN.
They are much like other children"
said one of the teachers yesterday
Some are brighter than others, but
few are really dull" But they are
really happy, for there isn't a sad
looking one in the lot of eighty or more.
They love their teachers, so that some
times the expression on the little faces
of the babies" as the wee ones are
called, is pathetic indeed.
The unconscious feeling for a fold OF
the gown, the anxious eyes, that look
for an approving smile, and the intense
desire to please, cannot fail to touch
the visitor.
They do try so hard to make the
sound come forth that they have never
heard and cannot hear on earth! The
little hands press convulsively on th'
heaVing chest to feel the voice anC
sometimes tenderly and fondly clasl
, the white throat of the teacher as sh,
} illustrates the necessary exercise of tn,
muscles. Poor little souls, theirs is in
| deed a toilsome way to the gates o
speech.
t Wonderful progress is noted for tn
year in those who have been under tn,
; patient, loving care of Miss Brown ant
I her splendid corps of assistants. Th
work is slow, but the great advantage
; of having the pupils under continue
[ supervision and of the almost miracu
I lous correctness of the method hav
their effects.
S A pleasing variation of the pro
= gramme this year were the drills. Tn
I girls gave a most beautiful Delsarteai
{ exhibition yesterday noon in Gree
S costume, the expressions of variou
= emotions being presented with grea
fidelity, together with feather" move
I ments. The boys dumb-bel and march
$ ing drills were excellent.
Miss Mary b. c. Brown, the princi
pal, was much missed yesterday. Las
week she sailed for Europe with tn
university party, whore she will re
; | main during her vacation. In her alb
; sence, Miss King and Miss NJ. +. Con
; ner are in charge The children wi
$ all leave for their homes on the got
3 inst.