The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-06-22
THE ONLY SOUND SHE MAKES.
Little Helen Keller. Blind. Deaf and
Dumb, but Full Of Laughter.


Ore OF the most important eduea-
tioual events OF the year is the annual
commencement OF the Perkins In
stitution and Massachusetts, School
for the Blind II attracts more OF the
general public than any other similar
event. This is because so strong an
interest is felt in the afflicted, and so
much wonder excited at the work they
are able to do. handicapped as they
are by the loss of one of the great
senses. The annual exercises took
place in fremont Temple yesterday
afternoon, and, a. usual, the large hall
was crowded 10 its utmost capacity.
One of the great attractions was the
presence of little Helen Keller. the
blind, deaf and dumb child from Ala
bana, who. with her mother and
teacher, Miss Annie sullivan. are now
on a visit to Mr.. Anagnos. This child
j. a veritable wonder, and every eye
was ON her az she sat ON the platform,
happy and delighted. as though she
was cognizant OF everything that was
going ON about her No child in full
possession OF her senses looked hap
pier or more intelligent than did she.
and il was a perfect delight to watch
her as her teacher would explain to
her about the place and what was be-
ing done; there would be serious in
tent look on her face, az THOUGH she
was trying TO comprehend it all; sud-
denly she would grasp the idea and
perfect fash of intelligence would
come over her face; she would break
olt into a smile of pleasure and her
little hands would wave with ecstacy
over her head. Sometimes in her de-
light she would clasp her teacher and
kiss her fervently. A more perfect
revelation of childish naiyete and
abandon was never seen. 1t was de-
lightful from the chiid's unconscious
ness. One forgot her intirmity: the
light OF understanding and intellect
was so bright upon the beautiful little
face that it did not seem possible that
she could be so barred away from the
beauties OF the natural world. On the
seat near her sat Laura brigham, and
her serene, peaceful face. was beau,i-
full in its calm content, as was that OF
the child in her overlooking happiness.
Looking at these two. the mature
woman and the little child, each with
similar physical losses or lacks, one
could but feel how grand was the work
which had opened the world OF knowl-
edge to them, and a feeling of rever-
ent admiration for the man who con-
ceived the work and of his successor,
who is so grandly carrying it on, came
into the hearts OF all who saw them.
The exercises included addresses by
the Rev. William Elliott 6rii.is. Or.
Samuel Eliot. and the Rev. ;. W.
Brooke. As a special treat. sor, of
surprise. little Helen took part in the
exercises. She read little poem abou.
What the Bird Does reading the
raise letters with one hand and spell
ing with the other, while the teacher
translated for her She entered
fully into the spirit OF it; her little
| hands few when she spoke of the
birds flying, and low little laugh. the
only sound she makes, accompanied
| the gesture. She was grace itself;
the birds she read Of were not more
so Then. with the little kindergart-
| uers she modelled in clay and told
what she made. The lesson was ON
= bees. and she made ." Jag full OF
honey Tor little sister. who was away
| in Alabama, cup and saucer IN give
| mamma tea, a saucer and spoon to
eat honey from, and nest for the lit
| Tie bird to Law her eggs in"