2

Mr. Raymond Visits the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb

When the subject of sending Carrie to an institution for the deaf and dumb was first broached, both Mr. and Mrs. Raymond felt decidedly averse to the proposal. They did not like the idea of parting with her on any account. But they were very anxious to have her well educated, feeling that not only her earthly happiness and welfare, but her eternal interests, in a great degree, depended upon this. It was feared, however, that possibly the expense would be beyond their means. After some time spent in thought concerning the matter, Mr. Raymond decided to visit the institution of his state, located at I, to learn the terms upon which pupils were admitted, and, if possible, secure for Carrie all the advantages the institution afforded. Accordingly, one pleasant August day he took the train bound for the city, and before many hours had gone by found himself at the institution. He was ushered by a servant into the presence of a small-sized, pleasant-looking gentleman, whose black hair and beard, thickly streaked with gray, suggested the fact that he had reached life’s meridian, and was journeying towards the setting sun. To this gentleman, who proved to be the superintendent of the institution, Mr. Raymond told the story of Carrie’s illness and how it had resulted in the loss of her hearing. Having finished the narrative, he said, “Now, if I can be assured that she will be well and properly cared for, and the charges are not beyond my ability to pay, I wish to have her placed under instruction here.” When he had finished, the superintendent said, “I can guarantee that she will be kindly treated, and tenderly and carefully cared for; and as to the costs of education, board, etc., these are all defrayed by the state.” Taking a report of the institution from his desk, he read the following:

The institution is open to all the deaf and dumb children in the state, of suitable age and capacity for receiving instruction, and is free of charge for boarding and lodging, instruction, schoolbooks, and medical attendance, on conformity to the rules. The age for admission should be from nine to twenty-one years. None below nine nor over twenty-one can be admitted, except by a special act of the Board of Trustees. The institution is a school of learning, and not an asylum; and no one will be admitted or retained as a pupil who, from sickness, or from any other cause, is unable to pursue successfully the prescribed course of study. And if any pupil, after a fair trial, shall prove incorrigible or incompetent for useful instruction, such pupil shall thereupon be removed. Applicants from other states may be admitted as pupils by agreeing to pay two hundred dollars each, per session of forty weeks, payable quarterly in advance, provided they can be accommodated without excluding any deaf-mutes eligible to receive instruction, and who are citizens of the state.

“The enforcement of these rules is very essential,” said the superintendent, laying down the book. “Without them,” he continued, “the institution would be the prey of lawless and ineligible characters, or else so overcrowded with deaf-mutes too young, or too old, or otherwise incapacitated for receiving an education, that neither health nor comfort could be guaranteed to any of its inmates. The number of deaf-mutes of suitable age for receiving an education in the state is large, and this number seems constantly increasing; therefore, the state can allow to each pupil but a limited period of time in which to secure an education at the public expense. Seven terms of nine months each, with a single vacation each year, extending from the middle of June to the middle of September, is the time now granted to each pupil. Your daughter will be allowed that length of time to finish her education, which time, considering the advancement you say she has already made, will, I think, be quite sufficient for her to secure all the advantages necessary to success in life. She should, if possible, be brought to the institution promptly at the opening of every term, so as to secure all the advantages it is in our power to bestow.”

Mr. Raymond promised to have Carrie promptly at school at the beginning of the next term, should no unforeseen event prevent, and arose to take his leave, expressing himself as thoroughly pleased with all he had seen of the institution.

When Mr. Raymond, by means of writing in print, told Carrie of their intention to send her to a school for the deaf and dumb, where she would be taught a great many things, her first question was, “Will they teach me to sing?” Mr. Raymond smiled when this question was asked, but answered, “Perhaps they will.” Carrie had, when quite young, learned to sing simple songs by hearing her mother and others sing them, and had acquired a deep love for song; therefore, this question was quite a natural one.

The time for the opening of the next term of school was fast approaching, and preparations for Carrie’s departure were pushed forward rapidly.