In the fall Helen and Miss Sullivan returned to PerkinsInstitution at South Boston.TO MISS MILDRED KELLERSouth Boston, Oct. 24, 1889.My Precious Little Sister:—Good morning. I am going to send youa birthday gift with this letter. I hope it will please you verymuch, because it makes me happy to send it. The dress is bluelike your eyes, and candy is sweet just like your dear littleself. I think mother will be glad to make the dress for you, andwhen you wear it you will look as pretty as a rose. Thepicture-book will tell you all about many strange and wildanimals. You must not be afraid of them. They cannot come out ofthe picture to harm you.I go to school every day, and I learn many new things. At eight Istudy arithmetic. I like that. At nine I go to the gymnasium withthe little girls and we have great fun. I wish you could be hereto play three little squirrels, and two gentle doves, and to makea pretty nest for a dear little robin. The mocking bird does notlive in the cold north. At ten I study about the earth on whichwe all live. At eleven I talk with teacher and at twelve I studyzoology. I do not know what I shall do in the afternoon yet.Now, my darling little Mildred, good bye. Give father and mothera great deal of love and many hugs and kisses for me. Teachersends her love too.From your loving sister,HELEN A. KELLER.TO MR. WILLIAM WADESouth Boston, Mass., Nov. 20, 1889.My Dear Mr. Wade:—I have just received a letter from my mother,telling me that the beautiful mastiff puppy you sent me hadarrived in Tuscumbia safely. Thank you very much for the nicegift. I am very sorry that I was not at home to welcome her; butmy mother and my baby sister will be very kind to her while hermistress is away. I hope she is not lonely and unhappy. I thinkpuppies can feel very home-sick, as well as little girls. Ishould like to call her Lioness, for your dog. May I? I hope shewill be very faithful,—and brave, too.I am studying in Boston, with my dear teacher. I learn a greatmany new and wonderful things. I study about the earth, and theanimals, and I like arithmetic exceedingly. I learn many newwords, too. EXCEEDINGLY is one that I learned yesterday. When Isee Lioness I will tell her many things which will surprise hergreatly. I think she will laugh when I tell her she is avertebrate, a mammal, a quadruped; and I shall be very sorry totell her that she belongs to the order Carnivora. I study French,too. When I talk French to Lioness I will call her mon beauchien. Please tell Lion that I will take good care of Lioness. Ishall be happy to have a letter from you when you like to writeto me.From your loving little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.P.S. I am studying at the Institution for the Blind.H. A. K.This letter is indorsed in Whittier's hand, "Helen A.Keller—deaf dumb and blind—aged nine years." "Browns" is alapse of the pencil for "brown eyes."TO JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIERInst. for the Blind, So. Boston, Mass.,Nov. 27, 1889.Dear Poet,I think you will be surprised to receive a letter from a littlegirl whom you do not know, but I thought you would be glad tohear that your beautiful poems make me very happy. Yesterday Iread "In School Days" and "My Playmate," and I enjoyed themgreatly. I was very sorry that the poor little girl with thebrowns and the "tangled golden curls" died. It is very pleasantto live here in our beautiful world. I cannot see the lovelythings with my eyes, but my mind can see them all, and so I amjoyful all the day long.When I walk out in my garden I cannot see the beautiful flowersbut I know that they are all around me; for is not the air sweetwith their fragrance? I know too that the tiny lily-bells arewhispering pretty secrets to their companions else they would notlook so happy. I love you very dearly, because you have taught meso many lovely things about flowers, and birds, and people. Now Imust say, good-bye. I hope [you] will enjoy the Thanksgiving verymuch.From your loving little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.To Mr. John Greenleaf Whittier.Whittier's reply, to which there is a reference in the followingletter, has been lost.TO MRS. KATE ADAMS KELLERSouth Boston, Mass., Dec. 3, 1889.My Dear Mother:—Your little daughter is very happy to write toyou this beautiful morning. It is cold and rainy here to-day.Yesterday the Countess of Meath came again to see me. She gave mea beautiful bunch of violets. Her little girls are named Violetand May. The Earl said he should be delighted to visit Tuscumbiathe next time he comes to America. Lady Meath said she would liketo see your flowers, and hear the mocking-birds sing. When Ivisit England they want me to come to see them, and stay a fewweeks. They will take me to see the Queen.I had a lovely letter from the poet Whittier. He loves me. Mr.Wade wants teacher and me to come and see him next spring. May wego? He said you must feed Lioness from your hand, because shewill be more gentle if she does not eat with other dogs.Mr. Wilson came to call on us one Thursday. I was delighted toreceive the flowers from home. They came while we were eatingbreakfast, and my friends enjoyed them with me. We had a verynice dinner on Thanksgiving day,—turkey and plum-pudding. Lastweek I visited a beautiful art store. I saw a great many statues,and the gentleman gave me an angel.Sunday I went to church on board a great warship. After theservices were over the soldier-sailors showed us around. Therewere four hundred and sixty sailors. They were very kind to me.One carried me in his arms so that my feet would not touch thewater. They wore blue uniforms and queer little caps. There was aterrible fire Thursday. Many stores were burned, and four menwere killed. I am very sorry for them. Tell father, please, towrite to me. How is dear little sister? Give her many kisses forme. Now I must close. With much love, from your darling child,HELEN A. KELLER.TO MRS. KATE ADAMS KELLERSo. Boston, Mass., Dec. 24, 1889My dear Mother,Yesterday I sent you a little Christmas box. I am very sorry thatI could not send it before so that you would receive it tomorrow,but I could not finish the watch-case any sooner. I made all ofthe gifts myself, excepting father's handkerchief. I wish I couldhave made father a gift too, but I did not have sufficient time.I hope you will like your watch-case, for it made me very happyto make it for you. You must keep your lovely new montre in it.If it is too warm in Tuscumbia for little sister to wear herpretty mittens, she can keep them because her sister made themfor her. I imagine she will have fun with the little toy man.Tell her to shake him, and then he will blow his trumpet. I thankmy dear kind father for sending me some money, to buy gifts formy friends. I love to make everybody happy. I should like to beat home on Christmas day. We would be very happy together. Ithink of my beautiful home every day. Please do not forget tosend me some pretty presents to hang on my tree. I am going tohave a Christmas tree, in the parlor and teacher will hang all ofmy gifts upon it. It will be a funny tree. All of the girls havegone home to spend Christmas. Teacher and I are the only babiesleft for Mrs. Hopkins to care for. Teacher has been sick in bedfor many days. Her throat was very sore and the doctor thoughtshe would have to go away to the hospital, but she is better now.I have not been sick at all. The little girls are well too.Friday I am going to spend the day with my little friends Carrie,Ethel, Frank and Helen Freeman. We will have great fun I am sure.Mr. and Miss Endicott came to see me, and I went to ride in thecarriage. They are going to give me a lovely present, but Icannot guess what it will be. Sammy has a dear new brother. He isvery soft and delicate yet. Mr. Anagnos is in Athens now. He isdelighted because I am here. Now I must say, good-bye. I hope Ihave written my letter nicely, but it is very difficult to writeon this paper and teacher is not here to give me better. Givemany kisses to little sister and much love to all. LovinglyHELEN.TO DR. EDWARD EVERETT HALESouth Boston, Jan. 8, 1890.My dear Mr. Hale:The beautiful shells came last night. I thank you very much forthem. I shall always keep them, and it will make me very happy tothink that you found them, on that far away island, from whichColumbus sailed to discover our dear country. When I am elevenyears old it will be four hundred years since he started with thethree small ships to cross the great strange ocean. He was verybrave. The little girls were delighted to see the lovely shells.I told them all I knew about them. Are you very glad that youcould make so many happy? I am. I should be very happy to comeand teach you the Braille sometime, if you have time to learn,but I am afraid you are too busy. A few days ago I received alittle box of English violets from Lady Meath. The flowers werewilted, but the kind thought which came with them was as sweetand as fresh as newly pulled violets.With loving greeting to the little cousins, and Mrs. Hale and asweet kiss for yourself,From your little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.This, the first of Helen's letters to Dr. Holmes, written soonafter a visit to him, he published in "Over the Teacups."[Atlantic Monthly, May, 1890]TO DR. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMESSouth Boston, Mass., March 1, 1890.Dear, Kind Poet:—I have thought of you many times since thatbright Sunday when I bade you good-bye; and I am going to writeyou a letter, because I love you. I am sorry that you have nolittle children to play with you sometimes; but I think you arevery happy with your books, and your many, many friends. OnWashington's birthday a great many people came here to see theblind children; and I read for them from your poems, and showedthem some beautiful shells, which came from a little island nearPalos.I am reading a very sad story, called "Little Jakey." Jakey wasthe sweetest little fellow you can imagine, but he was poor andblind. I used to think—when I was small, and before I couldread—that everybody was always happy, and at first it made mevery sad to know about pain and great sorrow; but now I know thatwe could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were onlyjoy in the world.I am studying about insects in zoology, and I have learned manythings about butterflies. They do not make honey for us, like thebees, but many of them are as beautiful as the flowers they lightupon, and they always delight the hearts of little children. Theylive a gay life, flitting from flower to flower, sipping thedrops of honeydew, without a thought for the morrow. They arejust like little boys and girls when they forget books andstudies, and run away to the woods and the fields, to gather wildflowers, or wade in the ponds for fragrant lilies, happy in thebright sunshine.If my little sister comes to Boston next June, will you let mebring her to see you? She is a lovely baby, and I am sure youwill love her.Now I must tell my gentle poet good-bye, for I have a letter towrite home before I go to bed.From your loving little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.TO MISS SARAH FULLER [Miss Fuller gave Helen Keller her firstlesson in articulation. See Chapter IV, Speech.]South Boston, Mass., April 3, 1890.My dear Miss Fuller,My heart is full of joy this beautiful morning, because I havelearned to speak many new words, and I can make a few sentences.Last evening I went out in the yard and spoke to the moon. Isaid, "O! moon come to me!" Do you think the lovely moon was gladthat I could speak to her? How glad my mother will be. I canhardly wait for June to come I am so eager to speak to her and tomy precious little sister. Mildred could not understand me when Ispelled with my fingers, but now she will sit in my lap and Iwill tell her many things to please her, and we shall be so happytogether. Are you very, very happy because you can make so manypeople happy? I think you are very kind and patient, and I loveyou very dearly. My teacher told me Tuesday that you wanted toknow how I came to wish to talk with my mouth. I will tell youall about it, for I remember my thoughts perfectly. When I was avery little child I used to sit in my mother's lap all the time,because I was very timid, and did not like to be left by myself.And I would keep my little hand on her face all the while,because it amused me to feel her face and lips move when shetalked with people. I did not know then what she was doing, for Iwas quite ignorant of all things. Then when I was older I learnedto play with my nurse and the little negro children and I noticedthat they kept moving their lips just like my mother, so I movedmine too, but sometimes it made me angry and I would hold myplaymates' mouths very hard. I did not know then that it was verynaughty to do so. After a long time my dear teacher came to me,and taught me to communicate with my fingers and I was satisfiedand happy. But when I came to school in Boston I met some deafpeople who talked with their mouths like all other people, andone day a lady who had been to Norway came to see me, and told meof a blind and deaf girl [Ragnhild Kaata] she had seen in thatfar away land who had been taught to speak and understand otherswhen they spoke to her. This good and happy news delighted meexceedingly, for then I was sure that I should learn also. Itried to make sounds like my little playmates, but teacher toldme that the voice was very delicate and sensitive and that itwould injure it to make incorrect sounds, and promised to take meto see a kind and wise lady who would teach me rightly. That ladywas yourself. Now I am as happy as the little birds, because Ican speak and perhaps I shall sing too. All of my friends will beso surprised and glad.Your loving little pupil,HELEN A. KELLER.When the Perkins Institution closed for the summer, Helen andMiss Sullivan went to Tuscumbia. This was the first home-goingafter she had learned to "talk with her mouth."TO REV. PHILLIPS BROOKSTuscumbia, Alabama, July 14, 1890.My dear Mr. Brooks, I am very glad to write to you this beautifulday because you are my kind friend and I love you, and because Iwish to know many things. I have been at home three weeks, andOh, how happy I have been with dear mother and father andprecious little sister. I was very, very sad to part with all ofmy friends in Boston, but I was so eager to see my baby sister Icould hardly wait for the train to take me home. But I tried veryhard to be patient for teacher's sake. Mildred has grown muchtaller and stronger than she was when I went to Boston, and sheis the sweetest and dearest little child in the world. My parentswere delighted to hear me speak, and I was overjoyed to give themsuch a happy surprise. I think it is so pleasant to makeeverybody happy. Why does the dear Father in heaven think it bestfor us to have very great sorrow sometimes? I am always happy andso was Little Lord Fauntleroy, but dear Little Jakey's life wasfull of sadness. God did not put the light in Jakey's eyes and hewas blind, and his father was not gentle and loving. Do you thinkpoor Jakey loved his Father in heaven more because his otherfather was unkind to him? How did God tell people that his homewas in heaven? When people do very wrong and hurt animals andtreat children unkindly God is grieved, but what will he do tothem to teach them to be pitiful and loving? I think he will tellthem how dearly He loves them and that He wants them to be goodand happy, and they will not wish to grieve their father wholoves them so much, and they will want to please him ineverything they do, so they will love each other and do good toeveryone, and be kind to animals.Please tell me something that you know about God. It makes mehappy to know much about my loving Father, who is good and wise.I hope you will write to your little friend when you have time. Ishould like very much to see you to-day Is the sun very hot inBoston now? this afternoon if it is cool enough I shall takeMildred for a ride on my donkey. Mr. Wade sent Neddy to me, andhe is the prettiest donkey you can imagine. My great dog Lionessgoes with us when we ride to protect us. Simpson, that is mybrother, brought me some beautiful pond lilies yesterday—he is avery brother to me.Teacher sends you her kind remembrances, and father and motheralso send their regards.From your loving little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.DR. BROOKS'S REPLYLondon, August 3, 1890.My Dear Helen—I was very glad indeed to get your letter. It hasfollowed me across the ocean and found me in this magnificentgreat city which I should like to tell you all about if I couldtake time for it and make my letter long enough. Some time whenyou come and see me in my study in Boston I shall be glad to talkto you about it all if you care to hear.But now I want to tell you how glad I am that you are so happyand enjoying your home so very much. I can almost think I see youwith your father and mother and little sister, with all thebrightness of the beautiful country about you, and it makes mevery glad to know how glad you are.I am glad also to know, from the questions which you ask me, whatyou are thinking about. I do not see how we can help thinkingabout God when He is so good to us all the time. Let me tell youhow it seems to me that we come to know about our heavenlyFather. It is from the power of love which is in our own hearts.Love is at the soul of everything. Whatever has not the power ofloving must have a very dreary life indeed. We like to think thatthe sunshine and the winds and the trees are able to love in someway of their own, for it would make us know that they were happyif we knew that they could love. And so God who is the greatestand happiest of all beings is the most loving too. All the lovethat is in our hearts comes from him, as all the light which isin the flowers comes from the sun. And the more we love the morenear we are to God and His Love.I told you that I was very happy because of your happiness.Indeed I am. So are your Father and your Mother and your Teacherand all your friends. But do you not think that God is happy toobecause you are happy? I am sure He is. And He is happier thanany of us because He is greater than any of us, and also becauseHe not merely SEES your happiness as we do, but He also MADE it.He gives it to you as the sun gives light and color to the rose.And we are always most glad of what we not merely see our friendsenjoy, but of what we give them to enjoy. Are we not?But God does not only want us to be HAPPY; He wants us to begood. He wants that most of all. He knows that we can be reallyhappy only when we are good. A great deal of the trouble that isin the world is medicine which is very bad to take, but which itis good to take because it makes us better. We see how goodpeople may be in great trouble when we think of Jesus who was thegreatest sufferer that ever lived and yet was the best Being andso, I am sure, the happiest Being that the world has ever seen.I love to tell you about God. But He will tell you Himself by thelove which He will put into your heart if you ask Him. And Jesus,who is His Son, but is nearer to Him than all of us His otherChildren, came into the world on purpose to tell us all about ourFather's Love. If you read His words, you will see how full Hisheart is of the love of God. "We KNOW that He loves us," He says.And so He loved men Himself and though they were very cruel toHim and at last killed Him, He was willing to die for thembecause He loved them so. And, Helen, He loves men still, and Heloves us, and He tells us that we may love Him.And so love is everything. And if anybody asks you, or if you askyourself what God is, answer, "God is Love." That is thebeautiful answer which the Bible gives.All this is what you are to think of and to understand more andmore as you grow older. Think of it now, and let it make everyblessing brighter because your dear Father sends it to you.You will come back to Boston I hope soon after I do. I shall bethere by the middle of September. I shall want you to tell me allabout everything, and not forget the Donkey.I send my kind remembrance to your father and mother, and to yourteacher. I wish I could see your little sister.Good Bye, dear Helen. Do write to me soon again, directing yourletter to Boston.Your affectionate friendPHILLIPS BROOKS.DR. HOLMES'S REPLYTo a letter which has been lost.Beverly Farms, Mass., August 1, 1890.My Dear Little Friend Helen:I received your welcome letter several days ago, but I have somuch writing to do that I am apt to make my letters wait a goodwhile before they get answered.It gratifies me very much to find that you remember me so kindly.Your letter is charming, and I am greatly pleased with it. Irejoice to know that you are well and happy. I am very muchdelighted to hear of your new acquisition—that you "talk withyour mouth" as well as with your fingers. What a curious thingSPEECH is! The tongue is so serviceable a member (taking allsorts of shapes, just as is wanted),—the teeth, the lips, theroof of the mouth, all ready to help, and so heap up the sound ofthe voice into the solid bits which we call consonants, and makeroom for the curiously shaped breathings which we call vowels!You have studied all this, I don't doubt, since you havepractised vocal speaking.I am surprised at the mastery of language which your lettershows. It almost makes me think the world would get along as wellwithout seeing and hearing as with them. Perhaps people would bebetter in a great many ways, for they could not fight as they donow. Just think of an army of blind people, with guns and cannon!Think of the poor drummers! Of what use would they and theirdrumsticks be? You are spared the pain of many sights and sounds,which you are only too happy in escaping. Then think how muchkindness you are sure of as long as you live. Everybody will feelan interest in dear little Helen; everybody will want to dosomething for her; and, if she becomes an ancient, gray-hairedwoman, she is still sure of being thoughtfully cared for.Your parents and friends must take great satisfaction in yourprogress. It does great credit, not only to you, but to yourinstructors, who have so broken down the walls that seemed toshut you in that now your outlook seems more bright and cheerfulthan that of many seeing and hearing children.Good-bye, dear little Helen! With every kind wish from yourfriend,OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.This letter was written to some gentlemen in Gardiner, Maine, whonamed a lumber vessel after her.TO MESSRS. BRADSTREETTuscumbia, Ala., July 14, 1890.My Dear, Kind Friends:—I thank you very, very much for namingyour beautiful new ship for me. It makes me very happy to knowthat I have kind and loving friends in the far-away State ofMaine. I did not imagine, when I studied about the forests ofMaine, that a strong and beautiful ship would go sailing all overthe world, carrying wood from those rich forests, to buildpleasant homes and schools and churches in distant countries. Ihope the great ocean will love the new Helen, and let her sailover its blue waves peacefully. Please tell the brave sailors,who have charge of the HELEN KELLER, that little Helen who staysat home will often think of them with loving thoughts. I hope Ishall see you and my beautiful namesake some time.With much love, from your little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.To the Messrs. Bradstreet.Helen and Miss Sullivan returned to the Perkins Institution earlyin November.TO MRS. KATE ADAMS KELLERSouth Boston, Nov. 10, 1890.My Dearest Mother:—My heart has been full of thoughts of you andmy beautiful home ever since we parted so sadly on Wednesdaynight. How I wish I could see you this lovely morning, and tellyou all that has happened since I left home! And my darlinglittle sister, how I wish I could give her a hundred kisses! Andmy dear father, how he would like to hear about our journey! ButI cannot see you and talk to you, so I will write and tell youall that I can think of.We did not reach Boston until Saturday morning. I am sorry to saythat our train was delayed in several places, which made us latein reaching New York. When we got to Jersey City at six o'clockFriday evening we were obliged to cross the Harlem River in aferry-boat. We found the boat and the transfer carriage with muchless difficulty than teacher expected. When we arrived at thestation they told us that the train did not leave for Bostonuntil eleven o'clock, but that we could take the sleeper at nine,which we did. We went to bed and slept until morning. When weawoke we were in Boston. I was delighted to get there, though Iwas much disappointed because we did not arrive on Mr. Anagnos'birthday. We surprised our dear friends, however, for they didnot expect us Saturday; but when the bell rung Miss Marrettguessed who was at the door, and Mrs. Hopkins jumped up from thebreakfast table and ran to the door to meet us; she was indeedmuch astonished to see us. After we had had some breakfast wewent up to see Mr. Anagnos. I was overjoyed to see my dearest andkindest friend once more. He gave me a beautiful watch. I have itpinned to my dress. I tell everybody the time when they ask me. Ihave only seen Mr. Anagnos twice. I have many questions to askhim about the countries he has been travelling in. But I supposehe is very busy now.The hills in Virginia were very lovely. Jack Frost had dressedthem in gold and crimson. The view was most charminglypicturesque. Pennsylvania is a very beautiful State. The grasswas as green as though it was springtime, and the golden ears ofcorn gathered together in heaps in the great fields looked verypretty. In Harrisburg we saw a donkey like Neddy. How I wish Icould see my own donkey and my dear Lioness! Do they miss theirmistress very much? Tell Mildred she must be kind to them for mysake.Our room is pleasant and comfortable.My typewriter was much injured coming. The case was broken andthe keys are nearly all out. Teacher is going to see if it can befixed.There are many new books in the library. What a nice time I shallhave reading them! I have already read Sara Crewe. It is a verypretty story, and I will tell it to you some time. Now, sweetmother, your little girl must say good-bye.With much love to father, Mildred, you and all the dear friends,lovingly your little daughter,HELEN A. KELLER.TO JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIERSouth Boston, Dec. 17, 1890.Dear Kind Poet,This is your birthday; that was the first thought which came intomy mind when I awoke this morning; and it made me glad to think Icould write you a letter and tell you how much your littlefriends love their sweet poet and his birthday. This evening theyare going to entertain their friends with readings from yourpoems and music. I hope the swift winged messengers of love willbe here to carry some of the sweet melody to you, in your littlestudy by the Merrimac. At first I was very sorry when I foundthat the sun had hidden his shining face behind dull clouds, butafterwards I thought why he did it, and then I was happy. The sunknows that you like to see the world covered with beautiful whitesnow and so he kept back all his brightness, and let the littlecrystals form in the sky. When they are ready, they will softlyfall and tenderly cover every object. Then the sun will appear inall his radiance and fill the world with light. If I were withyou to-day I would give you eighty-three kisses, one for eachyear you have lived. Eighty-three years seems very long to me.Does it seem long to you? I wonder how many years there will bein eternity. I am afraid I cannot think about so much time. Ireceived the letter which you wrote to me last summer, and Ithank you for it. I am staying in Boston now at the Institutionfor the Blind, but I have not commenced my studies yet, becausemy dearest friend, Mr. Anagnos wants me to rest and play a greatdeal.Teacher is well and sends her kind remembrance to you. The happyChristmas time is almost here! I can hardly wait for the fun tobegin! I hope your Christmas Day will be a very happy one andthat the New Year will be full of brightness and joy for you andevery one.From your little friendHELEN A. KELLER.WHITTIER'S REPLYMy Dear Young Friend—I was very glad to have such a pleasantletter on my birthday. I had two or three hundred others andthine was one of the most welcome of all. I must tell thee abouthow the day passed at Oak Knoll. Of course the sun did not shine,but we had great open wood fires in the rooms, which were allvery sweet with roses and other flowers, which were sent to mefrom distant friends; and fruits of all kinds from California andother places. Some relatives and dear old friends were with methrough the day. I do not wonder thee thinks eighty three years along time, but to me it seems but a very little while since I wasa boy no older than thee, playing on the old farm at Haverhill. Ithank thee for all thy good wishes, and wish thee as many. I amglad thee is at the Institution; it is an excellent place. Givemy best regards to Miss Sullivan, and with a great deal of love IamThy old friend,JOHN G. WHITTIER.Tommy Stringer, who appears in several of the following letters,became blind and deaf when he was four years old. His mother wasdead and his father was too poor to take care of him. For a whilehe was kept in the general hospital at Allegheny. From here hewas to be sent to an almshouse, for at that time there was noother place for him in Pennsylvania. Helen heard of him throughMr. J. G. Brown of Pittsburgh, who wrote her that he had failedto secure a tutor for Tommy. She wanted him brought to Boston,and when she was told that money would be needed to get him ateacher, she answered, "We will raise it." She began to solicitcontributions from her friends, and saved her pennies.Dr. Alexander Graham Bell advised Tommy's friends to send him toBoston, and the trustees of the Perkins Institution agreed toadmit him to the kindergarten for the blind.Meanwhile opportunity came to Helen to make a considerablecontribution to Tommy's education. The winter before, her dogLioness had been killed, and friends set to work to raise moneyto buy Helen another dog. Helen asked that the contributions,which people were sending from all over America and England, bedevoted to Tommy's education. Turned to this new use, the fundgrew fast, and Tommy was provided for. He was admitted to thekindergarten on the sixth of April.Miss Keller wrote lately, "I shall never forget the pennies sentby many a poor child who could ill spare them, 'for littleTommy,' or the swift sympathy with which people from far andnear, whom I had never seen, responded to the dumb cry of alittle captive soul for aid."TO MR. GEORGE R. KREHLInstitution for the Blind,South Boston, Mass., March 20, 1891.My Dear Friend, Mr. Krehl:—I have just heard, through Mr. Wade,of your kind offer to buy me a gentle dog, and I want to thankyou for the kind thought. It makes me very happy indeed to knowthat I have such dear friends in other lands. It makes me thinkthat all people are good and loving. I have read that the Englishand Americans are cousins; but I am sure it would be much truerto say that we are brothers and sisters. My friends have told meabout your great and magnificent city, and I have read a greatdeal that wise Englishmen have written. I have begun to read"Enoch Arden," and I know several of the great poet's poems byheart. I am eager to cross the ocean, for I want to see myEnglish friends and their good and wise queen. Once the Earl ofMeath came to see me, and he told me that the queen was muchbeloved by her people, because of her gentleness and wisdom. Someday you will be surprised to see a little strange girl cominginto your office; but when you know it is the little girl wholoves dogs and all other animals, you will laugh, and I hope youwill give her a kiss, just as Mr. Wade does. He has another dogfor me, and he thinks she will be as brave and faithful as mybeautiful Lioness. And now I want to tell you what the dog loversin America are going to do. They are going to send me some moneyfor a poor little deaf and dumb and blind child. His name isTommy, and he is five years old. His parents are too poor to payto have the little fellow sent to school; so, instead of givingme a dog, the gentlemen are going to help make Tommy's life asbright and joyous as mine. Is it not a beautiful plan? Educationwill bring light and music into Tommy's soul, and then he cannothelp being happy.From your loving little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.TO DR. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES[South Boston, Mass., April, 1891.]Dear Dr. Holmes:—Your beautiful words about spring have beenmaking music in my heart, these bright April days. I love everyword of "Spring" and "Spring Has Come." I think you will be gladto hear that these poems have taught me to enjoy and love thebeautiful springtime, even though I cannot see the fair, frailblossoms which proclaim its approach, or hear the joyous warblingof the home-coming birds. But when I read "Spring Has Come," lo!I am not blind any longer, for I see with your eyes and hear withyour ears. Sweet Mother Nature can have no secrets from me whenmy poet is near. I have chosen this paper because I want thespray of violets in the corner to tell you of my grateful love. Iwant you to see baby Tom, the little blind and deaf and dumbchild who has just come to our pretty garden. He is poor andhelpless and lonely now, but before another April education willhave brought light and gladness into Tommy's life. If you docome, you will want to ask the kind people of Boston to helpbrighten Tommy's whole life. Your loving friend,HELEN KELLER.TO SIR JOHN EVERETT MILLAISPerkins Institution for the Blind,South Boston, Mass., April 30, 1891.My Dear Mr. Millais:—Your little American sister is going towrite you a letter, because she wants you to know how pleased shewas to hear you were interested in our poor little Tommy, and hadsent some money to help educate him. It is very beautiful tothink that people far away in England feel sorry for a littlehelpless child in America. I used to think, when I read in mybooks about your great city, that when I visited it the peoplewould be strangers to me, but now I feel differently. It seems tome that all people who have loving, pitying hearts, are notstrangers to each other. I can hardly wait patiently for the timeto come when I shall see my dear English friends, and theirbeautiful island home. My favourite poet has written some linesabout England which I love very much. I think you will like themtoo, so I will try to write them for you."Hugged in the clinging billow's clasp,From seaweed fringe to mountain heather,The British oak with rooted graspHer slender handful holds together,With cliffs of white and bowers of green,And ocean narrowing to caress her,And hills and threaded streams between,Our little mother isle, God bless her!"You will be glad to hear that Tommy has a kind lady to teach him,and that he is a pretty, active little fellow. He loves to climbmuch better than to spell, but that is because he does not knowyet what a wonderful thing language is. He cannot imagine howvery, very happy he will be when he can tell us his thoughts, andwe can tell him how we have loved him so long.Tomorrow April will hide her tears and blushes beneath theflowers of lovely May. I wonder if the May-days in England are asbeautiful as they are here.Now I must say good-bye. Please think of me always as your lovinglittle sister,HELEN KELLER.TO REV. PHILLIPS BROOKSSo. Boston, May 1, 1891.My Dear Mr. Brooks:Helen sends you a loving greeting this bright May-day. My teacherhas just told me that you have been made a bishop, and that yourfriends everywhere are rejoicing because one whom they love hasbeen greatly honored. I do not understand very well what abishop's work is, but I am sure it must be good and helpful, andI am glad that my dear friend is brave, and wise, and lovingenough to do it. It is very beautiful to think that you can tellso many people of the heavenly Father's tender love for all Hischildren even when they are not gentle and noble as He wishesthem to be. I hope the glad news which you will tell them willmake their hearts beat fast with joy and love. I hope too, thatBishop Brooks' whole life will be as rich in happiness as themonth of May is full of blossoms and singing birds.From your loving little friend,HELEN KELLER.Before a teacher was found for Tommy and while he was still inthe care of Helen and Miss Sullivan, a reception was held for himat the kindergarten. At Helen's request Bishop Brooks made anaddress. Helen wrote letters to the newspapers which brought manygenerous replies. All of these she answered herself, and she madepublic acknowledgment in letters to the newspapers. This letteris to the editor of the Boston Herald, enclosing a complete listof the subscribers. The contributions amounted to more thansixteen hundred dollars.TO MR. JOHN H. HOLMESSouth Boston, May 13, 1891.Editor of the Boston Herald:My Dear Mr. Holmes:—Will you kindly print in the Herald, theenclosed list? I think the readers of your paper will be glad toknow that so much has been done for dear little Tommy, and thatthey will all wish to share in the pleasure of helping him. He isvery happy indeed at the kindergarten, and is learning somethingevery day. He has found out that doors have locks, and thatlittle sticks and bits of paper can be got into the key-holequite easily; but he does not seem very eager to get them outafter they are in. He loves to climb the bed-posts and unscrewthe steam valves much better than to spell, but that is becausehe does not understand that words would help him to make new andinteresting discoveries. I hope that good people will continue towork for Tommy until his fund is completed, and education hasbrought light and music into his little life.From your little friend,HELEN KELLER.TO DR. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMESSouth Boston, May 27, 1891.Dear, Gentle Poet:—I fear that you will think Helen a verytroublesome little girl if she writes to you too often; but howis she to help sending you loving and grateful messages, when youdo so much to make her glad? I cannot begin to tell you howdelighted I was when Mr. Anagnos told me that you had sent himsome money to help educate "Baby Tom." Then I knew that you hadnot forgotten the dear little child, for the gift brought with itthe thought of tender sympathy. I am very sorry to say that Tommyhas not learned any words yet. He is the same restless littlecreature he was when you saw him. But it is pleasant to thinkthat he is happy and playful in his bright new home, and by andby that strange, wonderful thing teacher calls MIND, will beginto spread its beautiful wings and fly away in search ofknowledge-land. Words are the mind's wings, are they not?I have been to Andover since I saw you, and I was greatlyinterested in all that my friends told me about Phillips Academy,because I knew you had been there, and I felt it was a place dearto you. I tried to imagine my gentle poet when he was aschool-boy, and I wondered if it was in Andover he learned thesongs of the birds and the secrets of the shy little woodlandchildren. I am sure his heart was always full of music, and inGod's beautiful world he must have heard love's sweet replying.When I came home teacher read to me "The School-boy," for it isnot in our print.Did you know that the blind children are going to have theircommencement exercises in Tremont Temple, next Tuesday afternoon?I enclose a ticket, hoping that you will come. We shall all beproud and happy to welcome our poet friend. I shall recite aboutthe beautiful cities of sunny Italy. I hope our kind friend Dr.Ellis will come too, and take Tom in his arms.With much love and a kiss, from your little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.TO REV. PHILLIPS BROOKSSouth Boston, June 8, 1891.My dear Mr. Brooks,I send you my picture as I promised, and I hope when you look atit this summer your thoughts will fly southward to your happylittle friend. I used to wish that I could see pictures with myhands as I do statues, but now I do not often think about itbecause my dear Father has filled my mind with beautifulpictures, even of things I cannot see. If the light were not inyour eyes, dear Mr. Brooks, you would understand better how happyyour little Helen was when her teacher explained to her that thebest and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen noreven touched, but just felt in the heart. Every day I find outsomething which makes me glad. Yesterday I thought for the firsttime what a beautiful thing motion was, and it seemed to me thateverything was trying to get near to God, does it seem that wayto you? It is Sunday morning, and while I sit here in the librarywriting this letter you are teaching hundreds of people some ofthe grand and beautiful things about their heavenly Father. Areyou not very, very happy? and when you are a Bishop you willpreach to more people and more and more will be made glad.Teacher sends her kind remembrances, and I send you with mypicture my dear love.From your little friendHELEN KELLER.When the Perkins Institution closed in June, Helen and herteacher went south to Tuscumbia, where they remained untilDecember. There is a hiatus of several months in the letters,caused by the depressing effect on Helen and Miss Sullivan of the"Frost King" episode. At the time this trouble seemed very graveand brought them much unhappiness. An analysis of the case hasbeen made elsewhere, and Miss Keller has written her account ofit.TO MR. ALBERT H. MUNSELLBrewster, Mar. 10, 1892.My dear Mr. Munsell,Surely I need not tell you that your letter was very welcome. Ienjoyed every word of it and wished that it was longer. I laughedwhen you spoke of old Neptune's wild moods. He has, in truth,behaved very strangely ever since we came to Brewster. It isevident that something has displeased his Majesty but I cannotimagine what it can be. His expression has been so turbulent thatI have feared to give him your kind message. Who knows! Perhapsthe Old Sea God as he lay asleep upon the shore, heard the softmusic of growing things—the stir of life in the earth's bosom,and his stormy heart was angry, because he knew that his andWinter's reign was almost at an end. So together the unhappymonarch[s] fought most despairingly, thinking that gentle Springwould turn and fly at the very sight of the havoc caused by theirforces. But lo! the lovely maiden only smiles more sweetly, andbreathes upon the icy battlements of her enemies, and in a momentthey vanish, and the glad Earth gives her a royal welcome. But Imust put away these idle fancies until we meet again. Please giveyour dear mother my love. Teacher wishes me to say that she likedthe photograph very much and she will see about having some whenwe return. Now, dear friend, Please accept these few wordsbecause of the love that is linked with them.Lovingly yoursHELEN KELLER.
In the fall Helen and Miss Sullivan returned to PerkinsInstitution at South Boston.TO MISS MILDRED KELLERSouth Boston, Oct. 24, 1889.My Precious Little Sister:—Good morning. I am going to send youa birthday gift with this letter. I hope it will please you verymuch, because it makes me happy to send it. The dress is bluelike your eyes, and candy is sweet just like your dear littleself. I think mother will be glad to make the dress for you, andwhen you wear it you will look as pretty as a rose. Thepicture-book will tell you all about many strange and wildanimals. You must not be afraid of them. They cannot come out ofthe picture to harm you.I go to school every day, and I learn many new things. At eight Istudy arithmetic. I like that. At nine I go to the gymnasium withthe little girls and we have great fun. I wish you could be hereto play three little squirrels, and two gentle doves, and to makea pretty nest for a dear little robin. The mocking bird does notlive in the cold north. At ten I study about the earth on whichwe all live. At eleven I talk with teacher and at twelve I studyzoology. I do not know what I shall do in the afternoon yet.Now, my darling little Mildred, good bye. Give father and mothera great deal of love and many hugs and kisses for me. Teachersends her love too.From your loving sister,HELEN A. KELLER.
TO MR. WILLIAM WADESouth Boston, Mass., Nov. 20, 1889.My Dear Mr. Wade:—I have just received a letter from my mother,telling me that the beautiful mastiff puppy you sent me hadarrived in Tuscumbia safely. Thank you very much for the nicegift. I am very sorry that I was not at home to welcome her; butmy mother and my baby sister will be very kind to her while hermistress is away. I hope she is not lonely and unhappy. I thinkpuppies can feel very home-sick, as well as little girls. Ishould like to call her Lioness, for your dog. May I? I hope shewill be very faithful,—and brave, too.I am studying in Boston, with my dear teacher. I learn a greatmany new and wonderful things. I study about the earth, and theanimals, and I like arithmetic exceedingly. I learn many newwords, too. EXCEEDINGLY is one that I learned yesterday. When Isee Lioness I will tell her many things which will surprise hergreatly. I think she will laugh when I tell her she is avertebrate, a mammal, a quadruped; and I shall be very sorry totell her that she belongs to the order Carnivora. I study French,too. When I talk French to Lioness I will call her mon beauchien. Please tell Lion that I will take good care of Lioness. Ishall be happy to have a letter from you when you like to writeto me.From your loving little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.P.S. I am studying at the Institution for the Blind.H. A. K.
This letter is indorsed in Whittier's hand, "Helen A.Keller—deaf dumb and blind—aged nine years." "Browns" is alapse of the pencil for "brown eyes."TO JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIERInst. for the Blind, So. Boston, Mass.,Nov. 27, 1889.Dear Poet,I think you will be surprised to receive a letter from a littlegirl whom you do not know, but I thought you would be glad tohear that your beautiful poems make me very happy. Yesterday Iread "In School Days" and "My Playmate," and I enjoyed themgreatly. I was very sorry that the poor little girl with thebrowns and the "tangled golden curls" died. It is very pleasantto live here in our beautiful world. I cannot see the lovelythings with my eyes, but my mind can see them all, and so I amjoyful all the day long.When I walk out in my garden I cannot see the beautiful flowersbut I know that they are all around me; for is not the air sweetwith their fragrance? I know too that the tiny lily-bells arewhispering pretty secrets to their companions else they would notlook so happy. I love you very dearly, because you have taught meso many lovely things about flowers, and birds, and people. Now Imust say, good-bye. I hope [you] will enjoy the Thanksgiving verymuch.From your loving little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.To Mr. John Greenleaf Whittier.
Whittier's reply, to which there is a reference in the followingletter, has been lost.TO MRS. KATE ADAMS KELLERSouth Boston, Mass., Dec. 3, 1889.My Dear Mother:—Your little daughter is very happy to write toyou this beautiful morning. It is cold and rainy here to-day.Yesterday the Countess of Meath came again to see me. She gave mea beautiful bunch of violets. Her little girls are named Violetand May. The Earl said he should be delighted to visit Tuscumbiathe next time he comes to America. Lady Meath said she would liketo see your flowers, and hear the mocking-birds sing. When Ivisit England they want me to come to see them, and stay a fewweeks. They will take me to see the Queen.I had a lovely letter from the poet Whittier. He loves me. Mr.Wade wants teacher and me to come and see him next spring. May wego? He said you must feed Lioness from your hand, because shewill be more gentle if she does not eat with other dogs.Mr. Wilson came to call on us one Thursday. I was delighted toreceive the flowers from home. They came while we were eatingbreakfast, and my friends enjoyed them with me. We had a verynice dinner on Thanksgiving day,—turkey and plum-pudding. Lastweek I visited a beautiful art store. I saw a great many statues,and the gentleman gave me an angel.Sunday I went to church on board a great warship. After theservices were over the soldier-sailors showed us around. Therewere four hundred and sixty sailors. They were very kind to me.One carried me in his arms so that my feet would not touch thewater. They wore blue uniforms and queer little caps. There was aterrible fire Thursday. Many stores were burned, and four menwere killed. I am very sorry for them. Tell father, please, towrite to me. How is dear little sister? Give her many kisses forme. Now I must close. With much love, from your darling child,HELEN A. KELLER.
TO MRS. KATE ADAMS KELLERSo. Boston, Mass., Dec. 24, 1889My dear Mother,Yesterday I sent you a little Christmas box. I am very sorry thatI could not send it before so that you would receive it tomorrow,but I could not finish the watch-case any sooner. I made all ofthe gifts myself, excepting father's handkerchief. I wish I couldhave made father a gift too, but I did not have sufficient time.I hope you will like your watch-case, for it made me very happyto make it for you. You must keep your lovely new montre in it.If it is too warm in Tuscumbia for little sister to wear herpretty mittens, she can keep them because her sister made themfor her. I imagine she will have fun with the little toy man.Tell her to shake him, and then he will blow his trumpet. I thankmy dear kind father for sending me some money, to buy gifts formy friends. I love to make everybody happy. I should like to beat home on Christmas day. We would be very happy together. Ithink of my beautiful home every day. Please do not forget tosend me some pretty presents to hang on my tree. I am going tohave a Christmas tree, in the parlor and teacher will hang all ofmy gifts upon it. It will be a funny tree. All of the girls havegone home to spend Christmas. Teacher and I are the only babiesleft for Mrs. Hopkins to care for. Teacher has been sick in bedfor many days. Her throat was very sore and the doctor thoughtshe would have to go away to the hospital, but she is better now.I have not been sick at all. The little girls are well too.Friday I am going to spend the day with my little friends Carrie,Ethel, Frank and Helen Freeman. We will have great fun I am sure.Mr. and Miss Endicott came to see me, and I went to ride in thecarriage. They are going to give me a lovely present, but Icannot guess what it will be. Sammy has a dear new brother. He isvery soft and delicate yet. Mr. Anagnos is in Athens now. He isdelighted because I am here. Now I must say, good-bye. I hope Ihave written my letter nicely, but it is very difficult to writeon this paper and teacher is not here to give me better. Givemany kisses to little sister and much love to all. LovinglyHELEN.
TO DR. EDWARD EVERETT HALESouth Boston, Jan. 8, 1890.My dear Mr. Hale:The beautiful shells came last night. I thank you very much forthem. I shall always keep them, and it will make me very happy tothink that you found them, on that far away island, from whichColumbus sailed to discover our dear country. When I am elevenyears old it will be four hundred years since he started with thethree small ships to cross the great strange ocean. He was verybrave. The little girls were delighted to see the lovely shells.I told them all I knew about them. Are you very glad that youcould make so many happy? I am. I should be very happy to comeand teach you the Braille sometime, if you have time to learn,but I am afraid you are too busy. A few days ago I received alittle box of English violets from Lady Meath. The flowers werewilted, but the kind thought which came with them was as sweetand as fresh as newly pulled violets.With loving greeting to the little cousins, and Mrs. Hale and asweet kiss for yourself,From your little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.
This, the first of Helen's letters to Dr. Holmes, written soonafter a visit to him, he published in "Over the Teacups."[Atlantic Monthly, May, 1890]TO DR. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMESSouth Boston, Mass., March 1, 1890.Dear, Kind Poet:—I have thought of you many times since thatbright Sunday when I bade you good-bye; and I am going to writeyou a letter, because I love you. I am sorry that you have nolittle children to play with you sometimes; but I think you arevery happy with your books, and your many, many friends. OnWashington's birthday a great many people came here to see theblind children; and I read for them from your poems, and showedthem some beautiful shells, which came from a little island nearPalos.I am reading a very sad story, called "Little Jakey." Jakey wasthe sweetest little fellow you can imagine, but he was poor andblind. I used to think—when I was small, and before I couldread—that everybody was always happy, and at first it made mevery sad to know about pain and great sorrow; but now I know thatwe could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were onlyjoy in the world.I am studying about insects in zoology, and I have learned manythings about butterflies. They do not make honey for us, like thebees, but many of them are as beautiful as the flowers they lightupon, and they always delight the hearts of little children. Theylive a gay life, flitting from flower to flower, sipping thedrops of honeydew, without a thought for the morrow. They arejust like little boys and girls when they forget books andstudies, and run away to the woods and the fields, to gather wildflowers, or wade in the ponds for fragrant lilies, happy in thebright sunshine.If my little sister comes to Boston next June, will you let mebring her to see you? She is a lovely baby, and I am sure youwill love her.Now I must tell my gentle poet good-bye, for I have a letter towrite home before I go to bed.From your loving little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.
TO MISS SARAH FULLER [Miss Fuller gave Helen Keller her firstlesson in articulation. See Chapter IV, Speech.]South Boston, Mass., April 3, 1890.My dear Miss Fuller,My heart is full of joy this beautiful morning, because I havelearned to speak many new words, and I can make a few sentences.Last evening I went out in the yard and spoke to the moon. Isaid, "O! moon come to me!" Do you think the lovely moon was gladthat I could speak to her? How glad my mother will be. I canhardly wait for June to come I am so eager to speak to her and tomy precious little sister. Mildred could not understand me when Ispelled with my fingers, but now she will sit in my lap and Iwill tell her many things to please her, and we shall be so happytogether. Are you very, very happy because you can make so manypeople happy? I think you are very kind and patient, and I loveyou very dearly. My teacher told me Tuesday that you wanted toknow how I came to wish to talk with my mouth. I will tell youall about it, for I remember my thoughts perfectly. When I was avery little child I used to sit in my mother's lap all the time,because I was very timid, and did not like to be left by myself.And I would keep my little hand on her face all the while,because it amused me to feel her face and lips move when shetalked with people. I did not know then what she was doing, for Iwas quite ignorant of all things. Then when I was older I learnedto play with my nurse and the little negro children and I noticedthat they kept moving their lips just like my mother, so I movedmine too, but sometimes it made me angry and I would hold myplaymates' mouths very hard. I did not know then that it was verynaughty to do so. After a long time my dear teacher came to me,and taught me to communicate with my fingers and I was satisfiedand happy. But when I came to school in Boston I met some deafpeople who talked with their mouths like all other people, andone day a lady who had been to Norway came to see me, and told meof a blind and deaf girl [Ragnhild Kaata] she had seen in thatfar away land who had been taught to speak and understand otherswhen they spoke to her. This good and happy news delighted meexceedingly, for then I was sure that I should learn also. Itried to make sounds like my little playmates, but teacher toldme that the voice was very delicate and sensitive and that itwould injure it to make incorrect sounds, and promised to take meto see a kind and wise lady who would teach me rightly. That ladywas yourself. Now I am as happy as the little birds, because Ican speak and perhaps I shall sing too. All of my friends will beso surprised and glad.Your loving little pupil,HELEN A. KELLER.
When the Perkins Institution closed for the summer, Helen andMiss Sullivan went to Tuscumbia. This was the first home-goingafter she had learned to "talk with her mouth."TO REV. PHILLIPS BROOKSTuscumbia, Alabama, July 14, 1890.My dear Mr. Brooks, I am very glad to write to you this beautifulday because you are my kind friend and I love you, and because Iwish to know many things. I have been at home three weeks, andOh, how happy I have been with dear mother and father andprecious little sister. I was very, very sad to part with all ofmy friends in Boston, but I was so eager to see my baby sister Icould hardly wait for the train to take me home. But I tried veryhard to be patient for teacher's sake. Mildred has grown muchtaller and stronger than she was when I went to Boston, and sheis the sweetest and dearest little child in the world. My parentswere delighted to hear me speak, and I was overjoyed to give themsuch a happy surprise. I think it is so pleasant to makeeverybody happy. Why does the dear Father in heaven think it bestfor us to have very great sorrow sometimes? I am always happy andso was Little Lord Fauntleroy, but dear Little Jakey's life wasfull of sadness. God did not put the light in Jakey's eyes and hewas blind, and his father was not gentle and loving. Do you thinkpoor Jakey loved his Father in heaven more because his otherfather was unkind to him? How did God tell people that his homewas in heaven? When people do very wrong and hurt animals andtreat children unkindly God is grieved, but what will he do tothem to teach them to be pitiful and loving? I think he will tellthem how dearly He loves them and that He wants them to be goodand happy, and they will not wish to grieve their father wholoves them so much, and they will want to please him ineverything they do, so they will love each other and do good toeveryone, and be kind to animals.Please tell me something that you know about God. It makes mehappy to know much about my loving Father, who is good and wise.I hope you will write to your little friend when you have time. Ishould like very much to see you to-day Is the sun very hot inBoston now? this afternoon if it is cool enough I shall takeMildred for a ride on my donkey. Mr. Wade sent Neddy to me, andhe is the prettiest donkey you can imagine. My great dog Lionessgoes with us when we ride to protect us. Simpson, that is mybrother, brought me some beautiful pond lilies yesterday—he is avery brother to me.Teacher sends you her kind remembrances, and father and motheralso send their regards.From your loving little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.
DR. BROOKS'S REPLYLondon, August 3, 1890.My Dear Helen—I was very glad indeed to get your letter. It hasfollowed me across the ocean and found me in this magnificentgreat city which I should like to tell you all about if I couldtake time for it and make my letter long enough. Some time whenyou come and see me in my study in Boston I shall be glad to talkto you about it all if you care to hear.But now I want to tell you how glad I am that you are so happyand enjoying your home so very much. I can almost think I see youwith your father and mother and little sister, with all thebrightness of the beautiful country about you, and it makes mevery glad to know how glad you are.I am glad also to know, from the questions which you ask me, whatyou are thinking about. I do not see how we can help thinkingabout God when He is so good to us all the time. Let me tell youhow it seems to me that we come to know about our heavenlyFather. It is from the power of love which is in our own hearts.Love is at the soul of everything. Whatever has not the power ofloving must have a very dreary life indeed. We like to think thatthe sunshine and the winds and the trees are able to love in someway of their own, for it would make us know that they were happyif we knew that they could love. And so God who is the greatestand happiest of all beings is the most loving too. All the lovethat is in our hearts comes from him, as all the light which isin the flowers comes from the sun. And the more we love the morenear we are to God and His Love.I told you that I was very happy because of your happiness.Indeed I am. So are your Father and your Mother and your Teacherand all your friends. But do you not think that God is happy toobecause you are happy? I am sure He is. And He is happier thanany of us because He is greater than any of us, and also becauseHe not merely SEES your happiness as we do, but He also MADE it.He gives it to you as the sun gives light and color to the rose.And we are always most glad of what we not merely see our friendsenjoy, but of what we give them to enjoy. Are we not?But God does not only want us to be HAPPY; He wants us to begood. He wants that most of all. He knows that we can be reallyhappy only when we are good. A great deal of the trouble that isin the world is medicine which is very bad to take, but which itis good to take because it makes us better. We see how goodpeople may be in great trouble when we think of Jesus who was thegreatest sufferer that ever lived and yet was the best Being andso, I am sure, the happiest Being that the world has ever seen.I love to tell you about God. But He will tell you Himself by thelove which He will put into your heart if you ask Him. And Jesus,who is His Son, but is nearer to Him than all of us His otherChildren, came into the world on purpose to tell us all about ourFather's Love. If you read His words, you will see how full Hisheart is of the love of God. "We KNOW that He loves us," He says.And so He loved men Himself and though they were very cruel toHim and at last killed Him, He was willing to die for thembecause He loved them so. And, Helen, He loves men still, and Heloves us, and He tells us that we may love Him.And so love is everything. And if anybody asks you, or if you askyourself what God is, answer, "God is Love." That is thebeautiful answer which the Bible gives.All this is what you are to think of and to understand more andmore as you grow older. Think of it now, and let it make everyblessing brighter because your dear Father sends it to you.You will come back to Boston I hope soon after I do. I shall bethere by the middle of September. I shall want you to tell me allabout everything, and not forget the Donkey.I send my kind remembrance to your father and mother, and to yourteacher. I wish I could see your little sister.Good Bye, dear Helen. Do write to me soon again, directing yourletter to Boston.Your affectionate friendPHILLIPS BROOKS.
DR. HOLMES'S REPLYTo a letter which has been lost.Beverly Farms, Mass., August 1, 1890.My Dear Little Friend Helen:I received your welcome letter several days ago, but I have somuch writing to do that I am apt to make my letters wait a goodwhile before they get answered.It gratifies me very much to find that you remember me so kindly.Your letter is charming, and I am greatly pleased with it. Irejoice to know that you are well and happy. I am very muchdelighted to hear of your new acquisition—that you "talk withyour mouth" as well as with your fingers. What a curious thingSPEECH is! The tongue is so serviceable a member (taking allsorts of shapes, just as is wanted),—the teeth, the lips, theroof of the mouth, all ready to help, and so heap up the sound ofthe voice into the solid bits which we call consonants, and makeroom for the curiously shaped breathings which we call vowels!You have studied all this, I don't doubt, since you havepractised vocal speaking.I am surprised at the mastery of language which your lettershows. It almost makes me think the world would get along as wellwithout seeing and hearing as with them. Perhaps people would bebetter in a great many ways, for they could not fight as they donow. Just think of an army of blind people, with guns and cannon!Think of the poor drummers! Of what use would they and theirdrumsticks be? You are spared the pain of many sights and sounds,which you are only too happy in escaping. Then think how muchkindness you are sure of as long as you live. Everybody will feelan interest in dear little Helen; everybody will want to dosomething for her; and, if she becomes an ancient, gray-hairedwoman, she is still sure of being thoughtfully cared for.Your parents and friends must take great satisfaction in yourprogress. It does great credit, not only to you, but to yourinstructors, who have so broken down the walls that seemed toshut you in that now your outlook seems more bright and cheerfulthan that of many seeing and hearing children.Good-bye, dear little Helen! With every kind wish from yourfriend,OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
This letter was written to some gentlemen in Gardiner, Maine, whonamed a lumber vessel after her.TO MESSRS. BRADSTREETTuscumbia, Ala., July 14, 1890.My Dear, Kind Friends:—I thank you very, very much for namingyour beautiful new ship for me. It makes me very happy to knowthat I have kind and loving friends in the far-away State ofMaine. I did not imagine, when I studied about the forests ofMaine, that a strong and beautiful ship would go sailing all overthe world, carrying wood from those rich forests, to buildpleasant homes and schools and churches in distant countries. Ihope the great ocean will love the new Helen, and let her sailover its blue waves peacefully. Please tell the brave sailors,who have charge of the HELEN KELLER, that little Helen who staysat home will often think of them with loving thoughts. I hope Ishall see you and my beautiful namesake some time.With much love, from your little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.To the Messrs. Bradstreet.
Helen and Miss Sullivan returned to the Perkins Institution earlyin November.TO MRS. KATE ADAMS KELLERSouth Boston, Nov. 10, 1890.My Dearest Mother:—My heart has been full of thoughts of you andmy beautiful home ever since we parted so sadly on Wednesdaynight. How I wish I could see you this lovely morning, and tellyou all that has happened since I left home! And my darlinglittle sister, how I wish I could give her a hundred kisses! Andmy dear father, how he would like to hear about our journey! ButI cannot see you and talk to you, so I will write and tell youall that I can think of.We did not reach Boston until Saturday morning. I am sorry to saythat our train was delayed in several places, which made us latein reaching New York. When we got to Jersey City at six o'clockFriday evening we were obliged to cross the Harlem River in aferry-boat. We found the boat and the transfer carriage with muchless difficulty than teacher expected. When we arrived at thestation they told us that the train did not leave for Bostonuntil eleven o'clock, but that we could take the sleeper at nine,which we did. We went to bed and slept until morning. When weawoke we were in Boston. I was delighted to get there, though Iwas much disappointed because we did not arrive on Mr. Anagnos'birthday. We surprised our dear friends, however, for they didnot expect us Saturday; but when the bell rung Miss Marrettguessed who was at the door, and Mrs. Hopkins jumped up from thebreakfast table and ran to the door to meet us; she was indeedmuch astonished to see us. After we had had some breakfast wewent up to see Mr. Anagnos. I was overjoyed to see my dearest andkindest friend once more. He gave me a beautiful watch. I have itpinned to my dress. I tell everybody the time when they ask me. Ihave only seen Mr. Anagnos twice. I have many questions to askhim about the countries he has been travelling in. But I supposehe is very busy now.The hills in Virginia were very lovely. Jack Frost had dressedthem in gold and crimson. The view was most charminglypicturesque. Pennsylvania is a very beautiful State. The grasswas as green as though it was springtime, and the golden ears ofcorn gathered together in heaps in the great fields looked verypretty. In Harrisburg we saw a donkey like Neddy. How I wish Icould see my own donkey and my dear Lioness! Do they miss theirmistress very much? Tell Mildred she must be kind to them for mysake.Our room is pleasant and comfortable.My typewriter was much injured coming. The case was broken andthe keys are nearly all out. Teacher is going to see if it can befixed.There are many new books in the library. What a nice time I shallhave reading them! I have already read Sara Crewe. It is a verypretty story, and I will tell it to you some time. Now, sweetmother, your little girl must say good-bye.With much love to father, Mildred, you and all the dear friends,lovingly your little daughter,HELEN A. KELLER.
TO JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIERSouth Boston, Dec. 17, 1890.Dear Kind Poet,This is your birthday; that was the first thought which came intomy mind when I awoke this morning; and it made me glad to think Icould write you a letter and tell you how much your littlefriends love their sweet poet and his birthday. This evening theyare going to entertain their friends with readings from yourpoems and music. I hope the swift winged messengers of love willbe here to carry some of the sweet melody to you, in your littlestudy by the Merrimac. At first I was very sorry when I foundthat the sun had hidden his shining face behind dull clouds, butafterwards I thought why he did it, and then I was happy. The sunknows that you like to see the world covered with beautiful whitesnow and so he kept back all his brightness, and let the littlecrystals form in the sky. When they are ready, they will softlyfall and tenderly cover every object. Then the sun will appear inall his radiance and fill the world with light. If I were withyou to-day I would give you eighty-three kisses, one for eachyear you have lived. Eighty-three years seems very long to me.Does it seem long to you? I wonder how many years there will bein eternity. I am afraid I cannot think about so much time. Ireceived the letter which you wrote to me last summer, and Ithank you for it. I am staying in Boston now at the Institutionfor the Blind, but I have not commenced my studies yet, becausemy dearest friend, Mr. Anagnos wants me to rest and play a greatdeal.Teacher is well and sends her kind remembrance to you. The happyChristmas time is almost here! I can hardly wait for the fun tobegin! I hope your Christmas Day will be a very happy one andthat the New Year will be full of brightness and joy for you andevery one.From your little friendHELEN A. KELLER.
WHITTIER'S REPLYMy Dear Young Friend—I was very glad to have such a pleasantletter on my birthday. I had two or three hundred others andthine was one of the most welcome of all. I must tell thee abouthow the day passed at Oak Knoll. Of course the sun did not shine,but we had great open wood fires in the rooms, which were allvery sweet with roses and other flowers, which were sent to mefrom distant friends; and fruits of all kinds from California andother places. Some relatives and dear old friends were with methrough the day. I do not wonder thee thinks eighty three years along time, but to me it seems but a very little while since I wasa boy no older than thee, playing on the old farm at Haverhill. Ithank thee for all thy good wishes, and wish thee as many. I amglad thee is at the Institution; it is an excellent place. Givemy best regards to Miss Sullivan, and with a great deal of love IamThy old friend,JOHN G. WHITTIER.
Tommy Stringer, who appears in several of the following letters,became blind and deaf when he was four years old. His mother wasdead and his father was too poor to take care of him. For a whilehe was kept in the general hospital at Allegheny. From here hewas to be sent to an almshouse, for at that time there was noother place for him in Pennsylvania. Helen heard of him throughMr. J. G. Brown of Pittsburgh, who wrote her that he had failedto secure a tutor for Tommy. She wanted him brought to Boston,and when she was told that money would be needed to get him ateacher, she answered, "We will raise it." She began to solicitcontributions from her friends, and saved her pennies.Dr. Alexander Graham Bell advised Tommy's friends to send him toBoston, and the trustees of the Perkins Institution agreed toadmit him to the kindergarten for the blind.Meanwhile opportunity came to Helen to make a considerablecontribution to Tommy's education. The winter before, her dogLioness had been killed, and friends set to work to raise moneyto buy Helen another dog. Helen asked that the contributions,which people were sending from all over America and England, bedevoted to Tommy's education. Turned to this new use, the fundgrew fast, and Tommy was provided for. He was admitted to thekindergarten on the sixth of April.Miss Keller wrote lately, "I shall never forget the pennies sentby many a poor child who could ill spare them, 'for littleTommy,' or the swift sympathy with which people from far andnear, whom I had never seen, responded to the dumb cry of alittle captive soul for aid."
TO MR. GEORGE R. KREHLInstitution for the Blind,South Boston, Mass., March 20, 1891.My Dear Friend, Mr. Krehl:—I have just heard, through Mr. Wade,of your kind offer to buy me a gentle dog, and I want to thankyou for the kind thought. It makes me very happy indeed to knowthat I have such dear friends in other lands. It makes me thinkthat all people are good and loving. I have read that the Englishand Americans are cousins; but I am sure it would be much truerto say that we are brothers and sisters. My friends have told meabout your great and magnificent city, and I have read a greatdeal that wise Englishmen have written. I have begun to read"Enoch Arden," and I know several of the great poet's poems byheart. I am eager to cross the ocean, for I want to see myEnglish friends and their good and wise queen. Once the Earl ofMeath came to see me, and he told me that the queen was muchbeloved by her people, because of her gentleness and wisdom. Someday you will be surprised to see a little strange girl cominginto your office; but when you know it is the little girl wholoves dogs and all other animals, you will laugh, and I hope youwill give her a kiss, just as Mr. Wade does. He has another dogfor me, and he thinks she will be as brave and faithful as mybeautiful Lioness. And now I want to tell you what the dog loversin America are going to do. They are going to send me some moneyfor a poor little deaf and dumb and blind child. His name isTommy, and he is five years old. His parents are too poor to payto have the little fellow sent to school; so, instead of givingme a dog, the gentlemen are going to help make Tommy's life asbright and joyous as mine. Is it not a beautiful plan? Educationwill bring light and music into Tommy's soul, and then he cannothelp being happy.From your loving little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.
TO DR. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES[South Boston, Mass., April, 1891.]Dear Dr. Holmes:—Your beautiful words about spring have beenmaking music in my heart, these bright April days. I love everyword of "Spring" and "Spring Has Come." I think you will be gladto hear that these poems have taught me to enjoy and love thebeautiful springtime, even though I cannot see the fair, frailblossoms which proclaim its approach, or hear the joyous warblingof the home-coming birds. But when I read "Spring Has Come," lo!I am not blind any longer, for I see with your eyes and hear withyour ears. Sweet Mother Nature can have no secrets from me whenmy poet is near. I have chosen this paper because I want thespray of violets in the corner to tell you of my grateful love. Iwant you to see baby Tom, the little blind and deaf and dumbchild who has just come to our pretty garden. He is poor andhelpless and lonely now, but before another April education willhave brought light and gladness into Tommy's life. If you docome, you will want to ask the kind people of Boston to helpbrighten Tommy's whole life. Your loving friend,HELEN KELLER.
TO SIR JOHN EVERETT MILLAISPerkins Institution for the Blind,South Boston, Mass., April 30, 1891.My Dear Mr. Millais:—Your little American sister is going towrite you a letter, because she wants you to know how pleased shewas to hear you were interested in our poor little Tommy, and hadsent some money to help educate him. It is very beautiful tothink that people far away in England feel sorry for a littlehelpless child in America. I used to think, when I read in mybooks about your great city, that when I visited it the peoplewould be strangers to me, but now I feel differently. It seems tome that all people who have loving, pitying hearts, are notstrangers to each other. I can hardly wait patiently for the timeto come when I shall see my dear English friends, and theirbeautiful island home. My favourite poet has written some linesabout England which I love very much. I think you will like themtoo, so I will try to write them for you."Hugged in the clinging billow's clasp,From seaweed fringe to mountain heather,The British oak with rooted graspHer slender handful holds together,With cliffs of white and bowers of green,And ocean narrowing to caress her,And hills and threaded streams between,Our little mother isle, God bless her!"You will be glad to hear that Tommy has a kind lady to teach him,and that he is a pretty, active little fellow. He loves to climbmuch better than to spell, but that is because he does not knowyet what a wonderful thing language is. He cannot imagine howvery, very happy he will be when he can tell us his thoughts, andwe can tell him how we have loved him so long.Tomorrow April will hide her tears and blushes beneath theflowers of lovely May. I wonder if the May-days in England are asbeautiful as they are here.Now I must say good-bye. Please think of me always as your lovinglittle sister,HELEN KELLER.
TO REV. PHILLIPS BROOKSSo. Boston, May 1, 1891.My Dear Mr. Brooks:Helen sends you a loving greeting this bright May-day. My teacherhas just told me that you have been made a bishop, and that yourfriends everywhere are rejoicing because one whom they love hasbeen greatly honored. I do not understand very well what abishop's work is, but I am sure it must be good and helpful, andI am glad that my dear friend is brave, and wise, and lovingenough to do it. It is very beautiful to think that you can tellso many people of the heavenly Father's tender love for all Hischildren even when they are not gentle and noble as He wishesthem to be. I hope the glad news which you will tell them willmake their hearts beat fast with joy and love. I hope too, thatBishop Brooks' whole life will be as rich in happiness as themonth of May is full of blossoms and singing birds.From your loving little friend,HELEN KELLER.
Before a teacher was found for Tommy and while he was still inthe care of Helen and Miss Sullivan, a reception was held for himat the kindergarten. At Helen's request Bishop Brooks made anaddress. Helen wrote letters to the newspapers which brought manygenerous replies. All of these she answered herself, and she madepublic acknowledgment in letters to the newspapers. This letteris to the editor of the Boston Herald, enclosing a complete listof the subscribers. The contributions amounted to more thansixteen hundred dollars.TO MR. JOHN H. HOLMESSouth Boston, May 13, 1891.Editor of the Boston Herald:My Dear Mr. Holmes:—Will you kindly print in the Herald, theenclosed list? I think the readers of your paper will be glad toknow that so much has been done for dear little Tommy, and thatthey will all wish to share in the pleasure of helping him. He isvery happy indeed at the kindergarten, and is learning somethingevery day. He has found out that doors have locks, and thatlittle sticks and bits of paper can be got into the key-holequite easily; but he does not seem very eager to get them outafter they are in. He loves to climb the bed-posts and unscrewthe steam valves much better than to spell, but that is becausehe does not understand that words would help him to make new andinteresting discoveries. I hope that good people will continue towork for Tommy until his fund is completed, and education hasbrought light and music into his little life.From your little friend,HELEN KELLER.
TO DR. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMESSouth Boston, May 27, 1891.Dear, Gentle Poet:—I fear that you will think Helen a verytroublesome little girl if she writes to you too often; but howis she to help sending you loving and grateful messages, when youdo so much to make her glad? I cannot begin to tell you howdelighted I was when Mr. Anagnos told me that you had sent himsome money to help educate "Baby Tom." Then I knew that you hadnot forgotten the dear little child, for the gift brought with itthe thought of tender sympathy. I am very sorry to say that Tommyhas not learned any words yet. He is the same restless littlecreature he was when you saw him. But it is pleasant to thinkthat he is happy and playful in his bright new home, and by andby that strange, wonderful thing teacher calls MIND, will beginto spread its beautiful wings and fly away in search ofknowledge-land. Words are the mind's wings, are they not?I have been to Andover since I saw you, and I was greatlyinterested in all that my friends told me about Phillips Academy,because I knew you had been there, and I felt it was a place dearto you. I tried to imagine my gentle poet when he was aschool-boy, and I wondered if it was in Andover he learned thesongs of the birds and the secrets of the shy little woodlandchildren. I am sure his heart was always full of music, and inGod's beautiful world he must have heard love's sweet replying.When I came home teacher read to me "The School-boy," for it isnot in our print.Did you know that the blind children are going to have theircommencement exercises in Tremont Temple, next Tuesday afternoon?I enclose a ticket, hoping that you will come. We shall all beproud and happy to welcome our poet friend. I shall recite aboutthe beautiful cities of sunny Italy. I hope our kind friend Dr.Ellis will come too, and take Tom in his arms.With much love and a kiss, from your little friend,HELEN A. KELLER.
TO REV. PHILLIPS BROOKSSouth Boston, June 8, 1891.My dear Mr. Brooks,I send you my picture as I promised, and I hope when you look atit this summer your thoughts will fly southward to your happylittle friend. I used to wish that I could see pictures with myhands as I do statues, but now I do not often think about itbecause my dear Father has filled my mind with beautifulpictures, even of things I cannot see. If the light were not inyour eyes, dear Mr. Brooks, you would understand better how happyyour little Helen was when her teacher explained to her that thebest and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen noreven touched, but just felt in the heart. Every day I find outsomething which makes me glad. Yesterday I thought for the firsttime what a beautiful thing motion was, and it seemed to me thateverything was trying to get near to God, does it seem that wayto you? It is Sunday morning, and while I sit here in the librarywriting this letter you are teaching hundreds of people some ofthe grand and beautiful things about their heavenly Father. Areyou not very, very happy? and when you are a Bishop you willpreach to more people and more and more will be made glad.Teacher sends her kind remembrances, and I send you with mypicture my dear love.From your little friendHELEN KELLER.
When the Perkins Institution closed in June, Helen and herteacher went south to Tuscumbia, where they remained untilDecember. There is a hiatus of several months in the letters,caused by the depressing effect on Helen and Miss Sullivan of the"Frost King" episode. At the time this trouble seemed very graveand brought them much unhappiness. An analysis of the case hasbeen made elsewhere, and Miss Keller has written her account ofit.
TO MR. ALBERT H. MUNSELLBrewster, Mar. 10, 1892.My dear Mr. Munsell,Surely I need not tell you that your letter was very welcome. Ienjoyed every word of it and wished that it was longer. I laughedwhen you spoke of old Neptune's wild moods. He has, in truth,behaved very strangely ever since we came to Brewster. It isevident that something has displeased his Majesty but I cannotimagine what it can be. His expression has been so turbulent thatI have feared to give him your kind message. Who knows! Perhapsthe Old Sea God as he lay asleep upon the shore, heard the softmusic of growing things—the stir of life in the earth's bosom,and his stormy heart was angry, because he knew that his andWinter's reign was almost at an end. So together the unhappymonarch[s] fought most despairingly, thinking that gentle Springwould turn and fly at the very sight of the havoc caused by theirforces. But lo! the lovely maiden only smiles more sweetly, andbreathes upon the icy battlements of her enemies, and in a momentthey vanish, and the glad Earth gives her a royal welcome. But Imust put away these idle fancies until we meet again. Please giveyour dear mother my love. Teacher wishes me to say that she likedthe photograph very much and she will see about having some whenwe return. Now, dear friend, Please accept these few wordsbecause of the love that is linked with them.Lovingly yoursHELEN KELLER.