Page:Vocal Speech for the Dumb.djvu/29

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DEAF, NOT DUMB.
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career, such could not be said of it; in fact, Mr Wilhelm D. Arnold, the admirable head of this school, could with but the greatest difficulty and economy make both ends meet. Persons accustomed to support charitable institutions pooh-poohed it, looked upon it as the idea of a visionary, a waste of money, which might with greater advantage be used elsewhere. Foremost among such persons was a rich merchant of Bale, named Merian. This gentleman had occasion very often to visit Mr. Arnold at Reihen on business not connected with the school. On each of these visits at the conclusion of the work in hand, Mr. Arnold would endeavour to interest his wealthy friend in the school, but always without success. He sighed to think how easily this rich man could place them out of all their pecuniary troubles, could he be but once convinced of the genuineness of the education. But how to do it was the question. He had talked, argued, quoted in favour of his school, had invited Mr. Merian to see and hear for himself. But, no; Mr. Merian had no time to waste in such an absurd manner; he was a strict man of business, and the moment his business with Mr Arnold was at an end, he would step into his carriage and be driven back to Bale. One day, Mr. Merian, being, let us suppose, in a very good humour, or Mr. Arnold's entreaties to him to visit the schoolrooms being more than usually strong, he consented just to give five minutes of his valuable time to an examination of the children. Crossing from the dwelling-house to the school he grumbled out, 'You know it's all nonsense, Arnold; you know very well, as well as I do, that these children just talk like so many trained parrots; I don't deny they do talk, never did, but I simply repeat they