Page 228 - The Story of My Lif

Hutton, Mr. Rhoades, Dr. Greer and Mr. Rogers, because it is they who have

supported me all these years and made it possible for me to enter college. Mrs.
Hutton had already written to mother, asking her to telegraph if she was willing
for me to have other advisers besides herself and Teacher. This morning we
received word that mother had given her consent to this arrangement. Now it
remains for me to write to Dr. Greer and Mr. Rogers….

We had a long talk with Dr. Bell. Finally he proposed a plan which delighted us
all beyond words. He said that it was a gigantic blunder to attempt to found a
school for deaf and blind children, because then they would lose the most
precious opportunities of entering into the fuller, richer, freer life of seeing and
hearing children. I had had misgivings on this point; but I could not see how we
were to help it. However Mr. Bell suggested that — and all her friends who are
interested in her scheme should organize an association for the promotion of the
education of the deaf and blind, Teacher and myself being included of course.
Under his plan they were to appoint Teacher to train others to instruct deaf and
blind children in their own homes, just as she had taught me. Funds were to be
raised for the teachers’ lodgings and also for their salaries. At the same time Dr.
Bell added that I could rest content and fight my way through Radcliffe in
competition with seeing and hearing girls, while the great desire of my heart was
being fulfilled. We clapped our hands and shouted; — went away beaming with
pleasure, and Teacher and I felt more light of heart than we had for sometime.

Of course we can do nothing just now; but the painful anxiety about my college
work and the future welfare of the deaf and blind has been lifted from our minds.
Do tell me what you think about Dr. Bell’s suggestion. It seems most practical
and wise to me; but I must know all that there is to be known about it before I

speak or act in the matter….

TO MR. JOHN D. WRIGHT

Cambridge, December 9, 1900.

Do you think me a villain and—I can’t think of a word bad enough to express
your opinion of me, unless indeed horse-thief will answer the purpose. Tell me
truly, do you think me as bad as that? I hope not; for I have thought many letters