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A Brief Narrative Of The Life Of Mrs. Adele M. Jewel, (Being Deaf And Dumb.)

Creator: Adele M. Jewel (author)
Date: 1869
Publisher: Dr. Chase's Steam Printing House, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Source: Gallaudet University Archives
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 1

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"We speak of its pathway of gold,
And its walls decked with jewels so rare
Of its wonders and pleasures untold;
But what must it be to be there?

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"We speak of its freedom from sin,
From sorrow, temptation and care,
From trials without and within;
But what must it be to be there?

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"We speak of its service of love,
Of the robes which the glorified wear,
Of the church of the first-born above
But what must it be to be there?

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"Then let us, midst pleasure and woe,
Still for heaven our spirits prepare;
And shortly we all shall know
And feel what it is to be there!"

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"Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide,
The darkness deepens -- Lord with me abide!
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!

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"Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim: its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
Oh, Thou who changes not, abide with me!

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"I heed Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
On to the close, oh Lord abide with me!"

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PART SECOND:

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Dear Reader:

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Let me add a few more pages to the brief sketch you have just read of my life, which was written over four years ago. It was a great undertaking for me to publish for perusal by the public a history of my life, and then offer it for sale. I shrunk from it, and could never have done so, had it not been really necessary for me to do something for my own maintenance. But though sometimes chilled by averted looks and want of sympathy, I have found many ready and willing to extend the helping hand; many earnest, true friends who have aided and encouraged me. The son of Mr. BARNS my former publisher, (who is a true gentleman, has also been afflicted with deafness, though not mute,) and the printers in the Tribune office, made me a present of the first thousand copies of my little book and a few dollars in money to help me on. Words fail to express my gratitude for this kindness, but I shall ever cherish for them the most grateful remembrance. By this means I was enabled to secure a home for myself and mother.

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R. N. Rich, a gentleman widely known for his Christian virtues and his benevolence, has gained my gratitude by doing much to assist me.

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And now I will tell you what I have seen in my travels. Many things very interesting and wonderful to me. Thank Heaven for sight, precious sight! To the deaf it is both hearing and, speech. I have only the full enjoyment of one eye, -- the other is still so dim that I cannot distinguish objects with it. But the sight I do have is invaluable to me. Some of my blind friends seem very cheerful, and even happy. Yet pleasures which sight secures can never be theirs. The faces of beloved friends, beaming with smiles of affection -- the green fields -- the beautiful flowers -- the trees waving in the summer winds, white with blossoms or laden with ripe fruits -- the broad, winding river sparkling in the sun, while boats of every shape and size glide over its bosom. How endless are the objects presented to the eye of a traveler. How I love to watch the changes in the beautiful blue sky bending so lovingly over us; now so clear that scarcely the softest shadow of a cloud is seen; then covered with white, fast-sailing clouds or clouds at rest, tinted with the hues of the rainbow. Then we have the fierce dark rain clouds, with vivid lightning passing through them. Then at night when the sky is clear how all ablaze it seems with its millions of stars. These objects are familiar with all, but I am afraid we do not think as much as we should of Him who made them. Oh how we ought to love and adore One whose wisdom and goodness is so manifest in all His works. The most wonderful sight I ever beheld, a sight that made me tremble and worship God, was the Falls of Niagara. Such a great river, pouring over such a descent! It makes me dizzy to look at it; and it shook the earth far and near. What a dreadful thing it must be to go over the Falls. As I stood upon the bank and watched the foaming spray, and heard its awful thunder -- for even the deaf can hear that -- my guide pointed out the log just above the falls, that Mr. Avery clung to in despair, out of reach of all human help. Thousands of spectators gathered on the shore anxious and eager to extend assistance, but in vain. The tide was so rapid it would have been madness to attempt to reach him with a boat; no ropes could be thrown far enough, and after remaining there for many hours, the strength of the unfortunate man failed, and he went over, down, down, into the foaming' cataract many hundred feet, and was never seen more.

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My guide told me, also, of the fate of the steamer Caroline. Fired by the Canadians and Bent over the Falls. He said it was enveloped in flames and it looked grand as it was plunged into the foaming abyss.

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