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7. The Train Ride to a New World
- Gallaudet University Press
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7 TM TraiJ;v 1~~ Urv a Welffi; l~V((JJU IN 1935 my family decided to send me off to the state school for the deafand blind in Raleigh. Mama broke the news to me, telling me that Norman Hayes, my cousin who was blind, went there. She talked about all the things he knew how to do and what a good time he had. I took the news in silence, not even imagining myself off in some strange place for school. To me school was the little wooden two-room building out beside the church, and to go meant walking the familiar road with my sister, brothers, and friends. I closed my eyes behind my cracked shades and could smell the blackboard dust, feel the warm morning sun on my back while having devotion in Miss Beaty's room, and hear all of us singing, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" or "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Mama touched me. I opened my eyes to read her lips and gestures. "They taught Norman to sing and play the piano," she said. Music! I brightened up at that. "Would they teach me?" She nodded. 85 86 A NEW KIND OF LIFE My beloved Mama. "And I can come home for Christmas?" Well, things weren't so bad. I could see myself coming back home, going to church, and surprising everyone by getting up and going to the piano. I'd sit down to play the most beautiful music and sing, "In the Garden" or "Every Day, Sing and Pray." I could just hear the applause and whispers of "I didn't know Mary could sing or play." I went in search of Sam to tell him about my future accomplishments. He didn't laugh or sneer at me, only nodded and grunted a little. In fact, everyone started giving me special treatment. I wasn't fussed at and Queen was allowed under the table and any other place she wished to go. When the Iron Mine school opened, I went out there one day. Miss Beaty asked me if I was going to try to make it this year. "No ma'am, I'm going to school in Raleigh," I said. I still didn't really believe it though. Papa and Eunice took me shopping at Collins Department Store. Two of our White neighbors, Estelle and Pauline Herring, worked there. They made a big to-do over helping me pick out [54.221.43.155] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 19:15 GMT) The Train Ride to a New World 87 dresses, underclothes, shoes, socks, and a nice sweater. Papa also bought a large brown suitcase with straps around it. All my new things were packed in it with the rest of my clothes. Eunice bought talcum powder, toothpaste, creams, headbands, and ribbons for me. Oh, I was a dressed-up girl and everybody was so nice to me. Even Willie and Leroy didn't tease or pick at me anymore. The day for my departure drew nearer. I closed my mind and refused to even think. Aletter arrived from the school with a ticket and a name tag to be pinned on me. I wouldn't look at it. Finally, the great and dreadful day arrived, but I tried to make it an ordinary day. I got up and put on a playsuit and ran outside to see Queen (Papa had shut her up). She licked me and wiggled as I hugged and talked to her. It was like a holiday. Papa killed some chickens and Mama and Eunice fried them and baked cakes and other things so I'd have a meal for on the train. Sam and I went up to the grape arbor by the old house and picked a box of grapes for me to take. The sun was warm, the air sweet with the smell of grapes, and lots of little yellow butterflies fluttered about as white fluffy clouds drifted overhead. We played and ate as we picked, and I refused to even think I'd soon be leaving home and all those I loved so dearly. Back at the house we ate dinner, then I ran to hug and talk to Queen awhile. When I went back in the house, Mama got water and soap and laid out some of my new clothes for me. After I'd bathed and dressed, she put a towel around my shoulders and combed and brushed my...