The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1889-01-25
OUR BOSTON LETTER.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE
NJ LITTLE BLIND DEAF MUTE.

u fugiIistic Club TOtterlng to Its Fall in
the HON" Of Cuiture-Prohibitiop, Ser
want Ladies'. Art and Orthodoxy In Their
Latest Developments.
F'rom Our Special Correspondent
Boston. Jan. 2S,
The little girl at the Perkins institute who
cannot see, hear or talk gives shining exam
pie for those who can.
Although it is only eighteen months since
Helen Kellar received her first lesson IN the
deaf mute school, and although previous to
that time the child knew absolutely no form
Of language except the natural and savage
one Of signs, she can correctly use and spell
$500 words by actual record, but 1t is esti-
mated that she knows 5000 words. Her let
tsrs, written In the square hand peculiar to
The blind, are rnarvels Of neatness and correct
photography, and are remarkable compost
lions, taking the circumstances OF her case
Into consideration.
She knows and can spell readily quite q
number Of German, French and Greek
words or course, no serious attempt
has as yet been made to teach
Helen any foreign language; but that
she has the linguistic talent strongly
developed is clearly shown by her phenom-
enaly rapid acquisition Of the English tongue.
Indeed, the readiness with which she grasped
the idea that various languages exist, and
that nations do not all speak alike, is one Of
the striking proofs of her intelligence and
precocity.
1t is not necessary to choose simple words
in talking to her. though she occasionally
fails to comprehend word involving an alb
stract idea-the blind are very "concrete."
In talking with Helen, one holds her ''lis-
tening" hand by the wrist with ones own
left hand She understands every letter, no
matter how rapidly her teacher may talk; and
when one remembers that some of these fin
ger letters are very much like one another
10 much so that it is very difficult
for seeing persons to distinguish them
quickly, except after long prac-
tice, it seems little short of marvel
lous that Helen can always tell "a from b"
in the single instant of time during which
the letter form is pressed against the palm Of
her little left hand. Such strong, firm hand,
too, as it is, with it's supple fingersl It is Of
a more generous size than one would expect
in girl of her age; but not disproportion-
ately large, as she is q very tall and large
child for her years, and will probably be a
tall woman, like her mother.
.**
People who are familiar with the ways Of
"hired ladies" say that servant girls as gen.
eral thing would rather live in the homes of
families of moderate means than in the
houses of more aristocratic employers. In the
former there is no separate table set for them
and they get whatever is used in the way of
food, the same as the other residents, while in
the latter special board is prepared, which
Is not over pen tifully supplied This may
not be the fault of the head of the mansion,
for he often intrusts matter of this kind to
the housekeeper, allowing her so much
money for expenses, and she, thrifty soul,
wishing to save dollar for herself buys the
poorest quality Of groceries and provisions
for the help. We are all fond of our stom-
achs, from the highest to the lowest, and, if
The servant finds that all is not gold that gilt
tiers In the stately houses on the Back Bay,
the is apt to fit to the South End, where she
ban at least get satisfactory meal OF
course, there are some hired housekeepers
who have consci ence, but they are all
human, and viii bear looking after now and
hen Even poor Irish or Swedish girl has
lights that are entitled to respect, and has an
appetite as well as hands to work.
-.
There is one fact noticeable in this session
# the legislature, particularly in the senate
It is that there are no noted temperance and
'eform "cranks" so-called, among the men,
,ers In the session of 1887 and 1883 three
quarters Of the orders offered during the first
week were those asking for legislation on the
liquor question. This year there has been
tut one noticeable one, and|that'thc order Of
senator Palmer of Middlesex, to regulate tho
of liquor into those towns and
tiles voting no license This had the un-
sual merit of common sense. Possibly this
nay be owing to the circumstance that the
Prohibition constitutional i, amendment alb
orbs all matters gernrane to the question.
he first meeting of the joint committee on
be proposed amendment was not harmo-
ious one, and was adjourned one week.
hat the amendment will pass this legisla-
ure, as it did the last, is beyond a question
I doubt It is on the cards of both houses
hat it shall. The opposition in the commit
be and in the legislature is merely for effect.
he tug of war will come when it becomes
roper to submit it to the people.
A raft of new liquor bills have been intro
uced, but they have dealt with minor
eatures of the law, and, though introduced
y various members. have come mostly from
ne source, the Prohibition propaganda.
49,
It is given out that Boston branch of the
young Mems Christian association, being in
case Of dire extremity, called together it's
Dw members to decide its fate. The Baptist
Minister suggested thas the doors be thrown
pen for membership to all young persons of
cod character, without reference to evan
elical beliefs and the Episcopal clergyman
lggested the introduction of cards and
Their games Both were emphatically
1uelched. It was considered more advisable
) die sound in the faith than to be living and
,orking on any plan but the orthodox.
-.
The sad news is rumored that the Athenian |
Tub is on it's last legs and sparring blindly |
nth fate. 1t is not Browning society, but |
he wealthiest boxing club in this head
uarters of pugilism. The club at present is
n II par in great many respects with what
,e Cribb was in its palmiest days. Its |
'embers are mostly all gentlemen of ample |
leans, who love little despera to sport now
nd then and are ready to pay s.
BAD to see it. The exhibi,oi room
the club is on the
Iollis and Washington street,. it
fitted up with an elaborateness an. COM
eteness that no other club in the country