The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-10-13
BLIND, DEAF AND DUMB.
Miss Edith Thomas Has Returned to
School at Boston.

Miss Edith Thomas Has Returned to
School at Boston.
Boston. Oct. 2-Seated at her type
writer today, Edith Thomas, the we'll
known blind, deaf and dumb pupil at
the Perkins Institute for the Blind in
South Boston. began the second year
in algebra She smiled in that fascin-
ating mysterious way that has more
than once suggested the subtle smile Of
Leonardo da Vincis Mona Lisa as
under her fingers gradually evolved the
value Of x 1t was the first day
back again in school, and it was bit
difficult to sober right down TO bust
ness, for long thoughts Of the summer
kept crowding into her mind, and she
would have preferred to do nothing all
day but tell the story OF the vacation
which had been so eventful.
But self-control is the lesson that has
been most thoroughly learned. and she
painstakiugly and indefatigably applied
her mind TO the elucIdation Of whatever
problem was set before her. Once in
the morning visiting friend was al
lowed 70 chat with her. and she lifted her
fingers quickly from the typewriter and
began instantly to smile and tell what
she did last summer Conversation with
Edith is very easy matter, for she
has ideas and expresses herself in graphic
language that shows size really thinks
before she answers She so thoroughly
gives her whole attention to what is
being said that there is no awkward wait
whatever. for the speakers words are
communicated to her almost as they are
spoken and as quickly the teachers speaks
the answer that Edith has impressed on
her hand The sequence Of IDEAS is fol-
lowed carefully. and new ana then
clever bit of repartee shows her quick
mind and wit.
Today her hngcr-tips were alive with
the story of what she had seen since the
school had closed 1t had been mo-
mcntoas summer full of rich expert
ences. and she had entered into them
all with enthusiasm. As result her
mind has broadened wonderfully for 50
short a time Some kind benefactor.
man witt, a big heart ard long purse,
made it possible for Edith and her
teachers to go TO Buffalo. accompanied
bv Elizabeth Robbins and Thomas
Stringer. who are also bird deaf and
dumb. Edith on her return repaid the
kird man in full by saving optimistic7lly
with that strange smile upon her lips.
1T has been the happiest week OF my
life-as yet.
Alice was no moro delishted and
amazed by what she saw in wonderland
than was Edits. who. for the first time
went for from the school room. Previous
IN this Edith mad always lived a very
Quiet life. and 10 do Buffalo and Niagara
thoroughly in one week was an expert
euee replete with excitement. Even the
tourney there vas a picnic, and She could
scarcely sleep the first night for being
fun of wonder AT the litue bed in the
sieeping car, and she krew by the tree
mendous vibrations end the sense ~ mo-
ton that she vas being snatchcj through
The country on the wings Of the wiad-
The KEYS of the exposition were liter
ally handed over 20 these three ht-ie
ones so Handicapped by fate. Every
whore they went the doors were swung
wide and glass cases that were closed
10 the greatest in the land were opened
for them in order to allow each one
with perfect freedom &c see every
thing with their fingers The treasures
az tho exhibition were freely laid be-
fore them and the choicest fruits PRE-
served for The eyes of other people were
given them 10 cat that thay might
know Tor themselves that they were the
best the earth Afforded
Nothing pleased Edith mere than the
rides. she took them all and has
q vvar5ea her most enthusiastic praise
-, ,,-a camel f-r * vert Up ard Gown