38

Scenes—Gloomy and Gay

Winter’s storms of snow and sleet had ceased and were succeeded by April showers, which bring May flowers, when one day there appeared at the institution a deaf and dumb woman wrinkled and enfeebled by age. She was well known to many of the inmates of the institution, having, in time long past, been a student there, and having of late years made occasional trips thither to sell little trinkets and notions to the girls. She was always warmly received at the institution by the superintendent and his warm-hearted wife, and by many of the other inmates, partly from pity for her in her poverty and loneliness and partly on account of the good traits of character she possessed, which won for her warm friends. She had now, as on other occasions, brought a good supply of trinkets and laces to offer to the girls. These had been supplied from the store of her brother-in-law, to sell for him and also to enable her to make a sort of livelihood for herself. But it was plainly to be inferred from her words and appearance that her life had been clouded by injustice and oppression; she seemed only upheld and kept in the right path by her trust in God and her belief that he could and would, some time, administer justice. The poor old woman seemed to find relief from her troubles by recounting them to the girls who gathered around her. The human heart naturally yearns for sympathy, and these warm-hearted girls, though their own lives were yet unclouded by deep sorrows and trials, nevertheless seemed to comprehend, in a measure, what she had suffered, and their kind and gentle conduct toward her showed that they were sorry for her. She would often speak warmly of the invariable kindness of the superintendent and his wife, Dr. and Mrs. Mayhews, as shown to her.

“Have you brought anything to sell?” was almost the first question asked by the girls who gathered around her on the present occasion. “Yes,” she replied. “My basket is up in Miss Tyndall’s room, and I will bring it down after supper.” So, after the meal, the girls assembled in the study room and eagerly awaited her appearance. It was not long before she came in with her heavy basket on her arm, and soon she was surrounded by a crowd of girls—some of those in the rear climbing upon chairs or upon the table near which she had placed her basket, in order to view the contents of the basket over the heads of their more fortunate companions. From their elevated positions they saw displayed strings of bright-colored beads, cheap earrings and breastpins, laces, ribbons, etc. These things always seem to take the fancy of girls, and those who had money very soon determined to buy some of them. Others, not possessing a cent, could only gaze at the trinkets and laces longingly.

After she had sold a number of articles, the teacher on duty for the evening came in, and the girls had to secure their books, take their places at the long tables, and begin studying the lessons for the following day. So she replaced her things in her basket, and, after watching the girls at their lessons for a while, she retired to rest in the room assigned to her during her stay at the institution.

The following day, before leaving the institution, she enjoyed a pleasant chat with some of the girls. One could see by her conversation that she was intelligent and, if her advantages had been more favorable, she could no doubt have supported herself in comfort. But often the afflicted are turned aside from labor that would enable them to live in comfort, to give place to others untouched by misfortune. We may seek in vain to know the reason for this, just as we seek in vain to solve the problem of why other evils are allowed an existence in the world. But, though we cannot understand why it is so, yet we are assured that God, in his own good time, will right all existing evils and reward every man according to his deeds.

The end of another term was near. The graduating class being small this year, it was decided to have the only member of the middle grade of the academic class assist in the graduating exercises, and also one member of the junior grade. Professor Gilcrist was somewhat at a loss to know who among the pupils in this grade he should choose for the purpose. It was finally decided to determine by vote.

So votes were cast by the members of the middle and senior grades. On the first ballot, Carrie Raymond received the greatest number of votes, although another young lady lacked only one of having as many. A second time votes were cast, and again it was found, upon counting them, that Carrie Raymond had received the greatest number. Carrie was thereupon pronounced the one chosen, and Professor Gilcrist instructed her to prepare an essay for the occasion, which she at once set about doing.

One of Carrie’s friends belonging to the graduating class was to recite her essay in oral language instead of by means of signs; Carrie decided that, as she could use this language with enough facility to be understood, she would also employ it instead of signs. As quite a number of visitors who could hear and speak were expected to be present on the occasion, and as the translation from signs into vocal language of half a dozen lengthy essays would be no easy task for him, Professor Gilcrist consented to this arrangement. So every day Carrie might be heard, by those who had ears that could hear, loudly declaiming her essay.

Once, while thus employed, the nurse came to the door of the room in which she was seated to ascertain what this vocal exercise meant. Having satisfied herself on this point, she said that it had sounded to her, heard from the hospital, like the voice of a dying person delivering last words. It was not the thoughts of the essay which gave this impression, but the tones of Carrie’s voice.

Carrie did not like this opinion of her vocal performance, and she ventured, in company with the other girl who was to recite her essay in the same way, to rehearse before her former articulation teacher. After hearing her recite, he said, “You pronounce most of the words correctly, but you begin a sentence with your voice pitched too high, and it gradually sinks into almost a whisper.”

Then he endeavored to show how to rightly modulate the voice, by drawing a series of “o’s” of different sizes. These were intended to show how the volume of sound ought to increase or decrease. After one or two failures, he succeeded, in a measure. But her voice had grown weak from long disuse, and it was hard for her to remember how words, the sound of which she could not hear, should be modulated. So she soon forgot the rules explained to her and fell into her old habit.

Early in June, Miss Tyndall, the matron, gave a strawberry and ice cream supper. Strawberries were enjoyed by all nearly every season, but ice cream formed a treat more rare. The supper was an elegant affair. Besides the dishes of strawberries and ice cream, there were candies and cakes. An additional supply of candies that had been procured and placed in the storehouse was overlooked. But a few days later these were placed on the tables, to be equally distributed. A supply of nice oranges was also distributed, each pupil receiving one.

Carrie now felt doubtful of her ability to recite her essay orally without making some blunders. She was therefore much relieved when, on the day preceding graduating day, Professor Gilcrist said that for lack of time both herself and the other lady chosen to assist the graduates would be excused.

Dainty little notes containing formal invitations to attend a party to be given in honor of the graduating class, by Mrs. Mayhews, found their way into the hands of each member of the academic class. The teachers also received invitations.

On the evening appointed for the party the girls of the academic class, all dressed as nicely as their means would admit, assembled in Miss Tyndall’s room. Here they were reviewed to see that their toilets were in perfect order. Then tiny bouquets of cut flowers were placed in the hair and on the bosoms of the three graduates, who were, of course, all dressed in snowy white. Carrie and a few others were also in white. When each person had undergone an inspection, they were marshaled into line, and, two by two, they proceeded down to Dr. Mayhews’ parlor. Dear, motherly Mrs. Mayhews stood in the doorway and welcomed each one with a kiss as they passed in. They were scarcely seated in the beautifully furnished parlor before the young men of the academic class made their appearance. Mrs. Mayhews, having no kisses to give them, welcomed each one by a cordial handshake, now and then adding a pleasant word as they filed into the parlor.

Presently the young men, one after another, secured a lady for company and marched out of the parlor to promenade the hall or range through other rooms. Carrie was soon approached by one whom she considered decidedly stupid and uninteresting, who asked for her company. At first she was inclined to ask to be excused, but knowing this would be a breach of good manners, she quietly bowed and accompanied him out into the brilliantly lighted hall. He made a beeline for the grand portico. There, planting himself against one of the massive pillars, he stood in silent contemplation. Carrie, who was herself but little given to conversation, waited for him to speak; but he did not do so. Then, thinking that others would consider them both very stupid, standing there doing nothing and saying nothing, she made a few attempts to draw him into conversation. Failing in this, she said, “Please let us go into the library.” He assented, and they entered the room. Carrie seated herself on one of the chairs, and he brought another and sat down beside her; but still he remained silent. She again attempted to draw him into conversation without success, as he only answered in monosyllables. At length, in despair, she asked, “Will you excuse me?” He assented by a nod of the head, and she left the library and strolled into the reception room. Here she found more congenial company. But presently a young gentleman attempted to entertain her by informing her how much his new suit of clothes cost. There were others who were much more sensible in their conversation and general deportment, and the evening passed pleasantly.

At ten o’clock supper was announced, and all proceeded to Dr. Mayhews’ dining room, where they were served with ice cream, lemon snow, strawberries, cake, confectionery, etc. After partaking of these refreshments, they returned to the parlors, and another hour was spent in strolling about, conversing, or in examining stereoscope views, etc. Then all bade Dr. and Mrs. Mayhews good-night and retired to rest.

The following day the graduating exercises took place. Among those present to witness these exercises was a representative of one of the leading newspapers published in the city. He took notes of the proceedings, which appeared in the paper the next morning.

Another term, with all its trials and vexations, its tasks and joys, was gone.