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Adelia M. Hoyt memoir and photographs
Page 40
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INTERLUDE In the days and months that followed my graduation I wished more than ever that my home was somewhere else than in Vinton. To be within sound of the old school bell, even to go there as I had often done during vacations on the excuse of practising on the piano, and yet to know that I was no longer a part of the school life was for a long time something hard to bear. I helped mother with various household tasks and she needed help for she was not very well. For a long time I really enjoyed the sense of freedom. i felt that I could plan my work and do more of the things I wanted to do. I was not one of those who left school with any great ambition. While like most normal young people I had my dreams of accomplishing great things, yet I was exceedingly practical. I knew my limitations -- perhaps I even exaggerated them. Professor McCune suggested that it would be very nice for me to go to the Iowa State University. He believed that I could hold my own there with sighted students, something which in those days was not so common as now. How my soul longed for such an opportunity -- but I knew it would take more money than my people could afford --- so I never admitted how much I wanted to go. I believe if I had urged the matter. my sister Emma would have stood by me and the sacrifice would have been made. But who was I to demand such a thing of my family? What guarantee had I that I could ever pay back the amount required to put me through college? So I never showed by word or act how I longed for such an opportunity. I have often wondered if this was the first of many mistakes. I had not the slightest doubt of my ability to do the work and I was still thirsty for more knowledge. Had I gone through the Iowa State University it might have changed my entire life -- and would it have been for the better? I wonder ! 40
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INTERLUDE In the days and months that followed my graduation I wished more than ever that my home was somewhere else than in Vinton. To be within sound of the old school bell, even to go there as I had often done during vacations on the excuse of practising on the piano, and yet to know that I was no longer a part of the school life was for a long time something hard to bear. I helped mother with various household tasks and she needed help for she was not very well. For a long time I really enjoyed the sense of freedom. i felt that I could plan my work and do more of the things I wanted to do. I was not one of those who left school with any great ambition. While like most normal young people I had my dreams of accomplishing great things, yet I was exceedingly practical. I knew my limitations -- perhaps I even exaggerated them. Professor McCune suggested that it would be very nice for me to go to the Iowa State University. He believed that I could hold my own there with sighted students, something which in those days was not so common as now. How my soul longed for such an opportunity -- but I knew it would take more money than my people could afford --- so I never admitted how much I wanted to go. I believe if I had urged the matter. my sister Emma would have stood by me and the sacrifice would have been made. But who was I to demand such a thing of my family? What guarantee had I that I could ever pay back the amount required to put me through college? So I never showed by word or act how I longed for such an opportunity. I have often wondered if this was the first of many mistakes. I had not the slightest doubt of my ability to do the work and I was still thirsty for more knowledge. Had I gone through the Iowa State University it might have changed my entire life -- and would it have been for the better? I wonder ! 40
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