Many years ago, I first became acquainted with Adele M. George. She
was at that time a lovely and intelligent little girl of ten summers,
with bright, laughing eyes, and an artless, winning manner that quite
charmed us, and we soon became very fond of her, for the dear child was
a mute. As she was the only child of her doting parents, nothing that
could impart pleasure, or make her comfortable and happy was denied,
to make up as far as possible for the great blessing of which nature
had deprived her. Indeed, she seemed hardly to have a wish ungratified.
Such is the beautiful picture our memory presents of her childhood.
At length her family moved westward, and we lost sight, for a time,
of the little deaf and dumb girl. And when we met, nearly fourteen
years after, we were surprised and pleased at her improvement, and yet
grieved at the change in her circumstances. She had become a lovely
and accomplished young lady. Having acquired an education at Flint,
she was interesting and communicative. Conversing rapidly, in the sign
language, to those who understood that method of speaking, or writing
in a clear and graceful hand with a pencil, to others. But sorrows had
fallen heavily upon herself and home. Sickness had deprived her of
the use of one eye--and death had robbed her of an indulgent father,
and left her solely to the care of an invalid mother. They had lost
their property, and were now without even a home of their own. In
their straightened circumstances, Adele conceived the idea of writing
a little history of her life, and offering it to a sympathizing public
as the only means afforded of supporting herself and mother. The plan
succeeded, through the aid of a few interested friends, and for some
years she thus secured a comfortable living, and might have continued
in well-doing, but for an unfortunate marriage, which has left her
again dependent upon her aged mother, with three little helpless
children upon her hands, the eldest, a mute, like herself. Thus she is
again thrown upon her own resources for support.
Friends of the unfortunate, I appeal to your sympathies and aid for
this dear child of affliction. Let me assure you that she is _every
way worthy_ of your patronage and your kind wishes. By purchasing this
little book, containing a brief history of her life, you may find
something that will amuse or interest yourselves, and at the same time
lighten the burden that lies so heavily upon her frail shoulders.
Do not pass her coldly by. It is but a trifle in itself, but every
purchaser lends a hand in making a sad heart happy; and that Heaven
will bless and reward you is the sincere prayer of