After Graduation
In: Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, Volume 5, Issue 3, p. 70-76
ISSN: 1559-1476
The story opens on a June afternoon as Mabel Forrester, a young blind girl, is traveling homeward from the State School for the Blind. She graduated with honors, and while she regrets leaving school and being separated from her friends, she is looking forward to a bright and hopeful future. When she is met at the station by her father and they drive to the farm which is their home, and where, since her mother's death, her aunt has been mistress; she is disappointed at the slight interest which her father manifests in her graduation and the discouraging way in which he speaks of her home life. It is no less disheartening when she talks with her aunt and sister, and she realizes that they have no confidence in her ability. She endeavors to help with the household duties, always against their wishes, but the climax is reached when she accidentally upsets a dishpan of water. After this she is not permitted to assist in any way. She wanders around aimlessly, becoming almost distracted at times because of her great disappointment. Finally, realizing that something must be done, she decides to write to Miss Lane, her former teacher, knowing that from her she will receive sympathy and assistance. Miss Lane, to whom Mabel appeals for advice, responds instantly with a very helpful letter. She herself is blind, and so can enter fully into Mabel's difficulties and point the best way out of them. She advises Mabel, instead of despairing over being shut out of the household tasks, to set about finding little unobtrusive ways of helping without asking leave. Mabel acts upon this advice, and though there are many discouraging days, she perseveres, and in time she has the comfort of feeling that little sister Lizzie is finding in the blind sister the nearest approach to a mother's love that she has ever known. Out of this companionship comes one of Mabel's sweetest rewards, for little Lizzie falls into a delightful habit of reading aloud to Mabel, who is hungry for books. Next Mabel finds herself assisting her fifteen-year-old brother Rob with his lessons. Mary, the older sister, too, begins to find in Mabel a very sympathetic companion, and in her turn tries to share her little social pleasures with Mabel. Even the aunt begins to see that this niece is a help to her in many ways. Most of all, Mabel rejoices when her father shows an appreciation of her thoughtfulness toward him, and she feels that she has at last won the confidence and respect of all her family. Almost from the first of her home-coming it has been apparent to Mabel that it was only by strictest economy the father has been able to maintain his large family. Now comes Mabel's hardest trial. She sees Mary ready to help by teaching; Rob, at the close of school, is to work for a neighboring farmer. What can Mabel do to help ? She works and waits and hopes, and of course her opportunity arrives. She has but to act — and act she does.
