Gaillard in Deaf America: A Portrait of the Deaf Community 1917

PHILADELPHIA For Our Little World

121 H PHILADELPHIA For Our Little World The Reception—Rev. Dantzer I had already seen Philadelphia in 1893 and it was part of my plan to show my traveling companions the famous City of Brotherly Love, which is at the forefront of those cities with strong ties of affection to France. And as luck would have it, the Rev. C. O. Dantzer, the deaf minister of the deaf Philadelphians, and Mrs. Syle, the deaf widow of the first American pastor, who founded the local deaf church, had been kind enough to give us an explicit invitation. From Pittsburgh I sent Rev. Dantzer a telegram announcing our arrival. He was at the station to meet us and his welcome was brotherly and cordial. He then led us to the parcels office of a nearby local train station where we dropped off our hand baggage, and then to a very fashionable restaurant where he planned to have us taste Philadelphian cuisine. It was well prepared and tasty, although very spicy. Rev. Dantzer informed us that but for the telegram he could very well have been absent. In fact, that Saturday afternoon the deaf citizens of the city had gone on a picnic to Atlantic City, on the shore, and his wife and Mrs. Syle were with them. They would not be getting home before midnight, as they were not expecting our visit. As for him, he had had to perform a wedding ceremony that morning, so that he was still in the city and able to get our telegram. While waiting for the next train, we walked around the neighboring streets and he showed us the imposing historical buildings. He was like this during our whole stay in the city, for the Rev. Dantzer was an avid student of history and Philadelphia is rich in history and memorable landmarks. It was in the old town hall, since renamed Independence Hall, that the first congress was held, which proclaimed the liberty of the United States of America. We visited the building, and others as well. And in many spots they showed us places where George Washington had sat, and where he had prayed in church. We saluted the tomb of Franklin, which was almost at ground level in a large city street, behind the grillwork of an old Quaker cemetery. We wandered through the shop of Betsy Ross who embroidered the first Stars and Stripes. A national fundraising campaign had made it possible to buy this old shop to conserve it along with the spinning wheel and loom, as the national cradle of American glory. I would like to say more about everything we saw and experienced, but it is a bit beyond my subject. With the local train we arrived at the home of our host well before the return of his wife. He lived in Tioga, a cheery new suburb, and had a comfortable two-story house, separated from the street by a veranda and a bit of lawn. Rows of houses, all the same model, went down both sides of the wide, shady streets. Eugène Graff and I were the guests of the minister, and Pilet and Olivier would be those of Mrs. Syle, but in her absence Rev. Dantzer made arrangements for them with his charming daughter , who also knew French. We waited in the cool night air under the electric lamps, sitting in those comfortable rocking chairs that are part of all American home furnishings. The minister’s youngest son came 122 PHILADELPHIA to call with his wife. As he knew sign language, as do all the children of the deaf in America, he could easily chat with us. He spoke of his love for France, that he had not been affected by the draft, but that his older brother who was away on a trip would most likely be called up. In the middle of this conversation Mrs. Dantzer returned and was very surprised to see us there. But in a few moments she had arranged bed and bath for us. With the torrid heat of the United States and the fatigue it causes, a bath before bed is considered a good restorative. Mrs. Dantzer was a wonderful homemaker and did everything herself. Thanks to her and her care, her cooking and baking skills, we were in a way initiated into American family life. We tasted unknown dishes, with old-fashioned ingredients that have...