The Forrest City times., 1891-09-18

DTloS uittn NtS out tue very DtSIuulHg of what might be done for others like her. The alphabet of possibilities which Dr. Howe taught has beet car ried on by his successor, Mir. Anagnos, to 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. It is only a little over year ago that the expe- riment was tried of teaching her to articulate. She was sent with her brother for 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, so lightning 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 sub lime. She puts aside the obstacles in her path with firm hand, and no diff ticulty 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 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 1t 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 hls 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. It 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 over over this child and is ready to believe. with Mir 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 moro satisfactory progress. She has always been fond of music enjoying it im- mensely whenever piano. organ or orchestera played. She feels the vibrations in the floor through her feet and both she and Edith Thomas know at once when the pianois played in tho room with them. When ayely 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. lnstructing her in music was an experiment which has proved a gratifying success.
 One day she said to her teacher: Il 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 on the piano, and the frequent interrup- tions she has had. she has made re- markable progress Certainly her performance at Fremont Temple. on the occasion of the commencement ex- ercises, was surprise to everyone who heard it.