Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-20
HELM KELLER.

Bridgman was but the very beginning
OF what might DE done for others like
her. The alphabet of possibilities
which DR.. Howe taught has been car
ried on by his successor, Mr.. Anagnos
20 the point of science.
Take the case of Helen Kellar, for
instance. The progress she has made
during the past year has been more
remarkable than that Of any previous
year, although everyone marveled at
what she had already done. 1t is only
o little over year ago that the expo
riment was tried Of teaching Ter to
articulate. She was sent with her
brother for a short time daily to the
Horace Mann school, and the work
was Systematically begun. The meth
Cd was explained to her by her teacher
and with the quickness of perception,
which in her seems almost intuitive. 80
lightning-like is the rapidity with
which her mind grasps new idea, she
knew at once what she was expected
to do and the manner in which she
was to do it.
The one characteristic Of Helen
Kellar is the determination to succeed
with it when she undertakes anything
new. The idea of failure never
seems to enter her head
Because she wants to do it is for her
sufficient reason why she should Her
ambition is boundless her faith in her
powers of achievement perfectly SUBJ
lime. She puts aside the obstacles in
her path with a firm hand, and no diff
fculty stands in the way of her en-
deavOr.
So she began the work of trying to
speak in the same spirit with which
she undertakes everything, and her
success has been remarkable. She de-
lights in talking, and she will carry
on quite a prolonged conversation.
Laying her hand on the lips of the
person with whom she is talking, she
will understand what is being said, and
will then reply to it Sometimes in
her eagerness she will talk with her
lips and spell out her conversation at
the same time in her teachers hand.
Not long ago the writer was visiting
at South Boston, and when Helen was
brought into the room she recognized
the visitor and asked at once after his
little daughters whom she remem-
bered although she had not seen
them for ten years. She seemed very
much interested in hearing about
them, what they were doing at school,
and SO on, and sent them many mes
sages.
The latest thing that Helen has
undertaken is learning to play the
piano and this she is doing very
readily. 1t seems almost incredible
that she should have any idea of time
or melody, but she has very distinct
idea. The story Of her progress is
gathered from the notes kept by her
teacher. These are given here and,
after reading them, one is more
startled than ever over this child, and
is ready to believe. with Mr. Anagnos,
that nothing is impossible to this
child. Certainly no child in full pos
session of its senses could do better
than this one has done, or make more
satisfactory progress. She has always
been fond of music enjoying it i'm
mensely whenever piano organ or
orchestral played. She feels the
vibrations in the floor through hel
feet and both she and Edith Thomas
know ut once when the rianois PLAYED in
the room with them. When q very little
girl, just beginning with Miss Sullivan,
she used to tell about going to church to
hear the organ and would sit very
quietly content while it was being
played. Insructing her in music was
an experiment which has proved {;
gratifying success.
One day she said to her teacher: d
have practised great deal and strug-
gled hard with my difficulties. And
her work shows and the questions
which she asks show. too, that she
thinks about her work. Her teacher
further says that. considering the
short time she has been at work or
the piano, and the frequent Interrupt
tons she has had, she has made re.
markable progress. Certainly hel
performance at fremont Temple. or
the occasion of the commencement ex-
ercises, was surprise TO everyone
who heard it.