The Washington times., 1904-04-17
What the Ability to Read
by Touch Means to
These People.
What They Can Learn to
Do Shown by Poly
technic Institute.

the piano with a broad insight into
technique and with rare distinction,
she has learned to use the typewriter
without reference TO the raised figures
on the keys. the wonderful power OF
memory possessed by some OF the
sightless enabling her to dispense with
this aid to accurate work; she uses a
typesetting )machIne with equal skill:
she is broad-minded and progressive
young woman, to whom her misfor-
tune seems to lend only an additional
distinction.
There are no mysteries for her in the
several complicated systems of point
alphabets which have been originated
and changed to suit the Earied needs OF
the blind. She reads practically all OF
them with equal ease.
A composer of promise is Miss Susie
Duffy. She lacks. perhaps. something
of the technical skill that marks Miss
Grady. but possesses a broader insight
in the beauties of music and art The
piano and the violin are her favOrite IN
struments. her skill with the latter be-
ing only recently acquired. Her WORKS
have met with very favorable recap
ton and her future efforts give every
indication that they will WIN for her a
wider reputation.
Something Of pathos there is in her
story. So excellent Is her talent. so
sweeping the promise it seems TO hold.
it is a loss to art that il should not re-
ceive the most generous cultivation. The
art soul of her needs to be deIicately
nurtUred and expanded. her knOw1edL3s
of the technique of her profession broaa-
ened. her vision Of life spanned over a
wider horizon. There are sordid reasons
Many Achieve Note.
In the colony Of the blind at Washing
/, ton there are many others who have
achieved similar distinction or whose
talents offer like promise. A charming
/ and cultured gentleman and scholar Is
| Prof J. Francis GermuilIer: a pianist Of
national standing Mr.. Bischoff. Every
/ one knows the latter as the blind
| pianist" and he has delighted multi
| tudes in every section of the country
| The few whose names are given serve
merely as examples-as types-of the
| little colony that gathers in the pavilion
at the Library almost every day.
| The gatherings have been addressed
| by many OF the most prominent men
and women of the country. who have
given their services generously and Wit.
I a hlll4lE nEdLL. lntN 44ELu4E duAllUlF
! and actors and painters, newspaper
men. scientists, and scholars. The lee
| lures and readings they give are not
! soft mental pabulum, but food, rather
/ for robust minds. These men and
women, with sightless eyes, come eager
! " to near all that Is saidi they listen
and Understand and enjoy.
A story that aptly illustrates their
outlook upon life relates TO Mrs Minnie
Maddern Fiske and her recent produc-
tons of Mary Of Magdale.'' and 'Hedda
GabIer'' Mrs. Fiske was a visitor at
the pavilion for the blind at the Library
and met Miss Gifhn. Some broad cath
olicity Of spirit. which both possess.
brought them together. and they talked
confdentially, Mrs. Fiske manifesting
deep interest in the blind and their
pursuits. She was curious TO know If
| they. would like TO attend one of her
| performances
They would be immensely pleased.
was Miss Giffln's hearty response. The
| fact that they cannot see makes their
other senses much more acute, ana they
/ would enjoy the performance TO the
! uttermost.
| Il will send the tickets" said Mrs.
Fiske. and she did. About score OF
the blind, attended and conducted by
Miss Giffin, witnessed the perform
ances OF both plays The words OF
Hedda Gabler Mortified them.
The Real Mrs. Fiske.
/ II don't see why Miss Gifin should
have wanted us to come and hear this
woman" whispered one of the party TO
her companions ''She is dreadful; I
hate her
..Ah. but she is not the real Mrs
Fjske,' the other responded. breath
lessly. You should hear her as Mary.
Then she is very different I am sure
if must be very difficult for her to play
a part like this
Others OF the prominent actors who
have visited Washington have been
similarly kind in the matter OF tickets
Ellen Terry has been among the rum
Der. and Joseph Jefferson has enabled
( his blind friends TO enjoy frequent
hour Of unrnixed fun and joy. Sir Henry
Irving did not forget them. Indeed, for
these great stars OF the profession IL
has become a habit TO visit the pa
vilion and in return to ask those Tor
whose uses it is designed to accept the
hospitality Of their playhouses and en-
joy the rare delights of their art,
The Columbia Polytechnic Institute
OfIefS large OppOA AHA INV 80
nlovment of the blind who have develop
ed or can develop skill in the useful
arts. 1t is a printing, binding. and pub
Fishing house OF large Importance. and
vet few persons in Washington. AND
fewer still outside Washington. knS~
even of its existence. OF these fever
! still think of the work it is doing for
humanity and the world
About five years ago F. E. Cleaveiand.
then secretary of the State Board Of
, Education for the blind of Connecticut.
; and president of the Connecticut Insd-
tuition for the Blind, came to Washing
/, ton in the interest OF some proposed
|, LEGISLATION for that institution Ar
, Cleaveland had himself been sightless
for a score of years and during that
time had become thoroughly convinced
that the hopeless condition Of the adult
blind in most cities of this countrs was
, due TO causes outside Of their affection
, For ten years he had been engaged in
: his native State in successfully demon
? strating that fact.
Sreaking of his visit to Washington
and of the conditions that led 10 the