The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-08
MISS KELLER Al HOME
VISITING HER MOTHER IN TOWN IF
 FLORENCE.
Famous Blind and Deaf Girl Whose Achievements are the wonder of the Civilized Worid-Talks
 of Newspapers.

VI ANCWBEaRGAss V
 Florence. Jan. 7.--(Special )-HeJen Keller. the famous blind and deaf girl whose achievements are the wonder of the civilized world, Is at the home of her mother In this city. where she came for a complete rest of several months, In pretty cottage, surrounded by blue grass lawn and handsome oak trees. in sight fo the State Normal COL 1ege. she will renew the home ties which were interrupted fifteen years ago when she commenced acquiring, un- der the guidance of Miss Sullivan, the wonderful amount of knowledge she possesses. '
 Miss Keller arrived the week before Christmas. accompanied by Miss Villa Curren, to S,end the first Christmas In twelve years with her mother, her sis ter, Mildred. and her little brother. Phillips. Florence was very gay dur ing the holidays and for the first time she exchanged the babits of a student and hard-worker for those of a society butterfly. Up to this time she had new CT danced except with giHs at school ard great was her delight, when the night after Christmas she attended her first real ball and danced like the other girls. Miss Keller Is a graceful dancer Huu aA Sne EllucQ dTOuHu tne room, keeping perfect time to the music. 1t darkness anG silence and that her movements were not inspired by the strains of the orchestra.
 She was especially interested in the german given by the "Rosebuds." the set to which her younger sister be- lcngs, and was one of the busiest ar making the favors.
 Miss Keller. like SO many famous per sons. has a pronounced antirathy to newspaper reporters. If they ever re- peat what you tell them" She said, ''but this they seem unable to do." With many humorous little expressions shc repeated an experience she had last summer with a reporter. while she was at ner home In Rentham. Mass. She received a telegram from friend In Boston. stating that reporter for a certain New York paper was en route to Rentham to interview her. Before he arrived she and Miss Sullivan went into hiding at the home of neighbor, where they stayed two days until the unwelcomed visitor had gone. Mean while, he was told whenever he called at her home. that she was away, and l when he took train for New York Miss Keller congratulated herself that the pTENdCy UT HcE oOAhCtnib6 OCttt to tho hearts of even the great people of earth, had been preserved. Imagine
 her surprise. when a few days later there appeared In one of the New York dailies a whole page devoted to a SUD- posed interview with herself, accom- panied by photographs of her house
 her horse and her entire household in a boat. But what amused her most was the picture of her horse. Tn real life the animals tail was bobbed off short
 English fashion. while the enterprising reporter gave him a caudal appendage
 which swept the ground.
 Another story which caused her much annoyance was published in Europe as well as America. This modern Nun chausen represented Miss Keller as an artist and an expert bicycle rider. two things absolutely impossible to the blind. Such stories may pass muster In the United States. where, as Barnum says. the people like to be humbugged but Europeans are not nearly so credu- lous, and Miss Keller felt like she had
 been put in an unenvtable position. The Queen of Sweden read the article and commissioned a subject who Is the prin- cipal of a school for the blind, to call on Miss Keller.
 While she shuns the ubiquitous news- paper reporter, Miss Keller is always accessible to ner friends. and nothing gives her more pleasure than to meet those whom she knew in her early days. Her mafvelous mamory is fre- quently demonstrated by remarks she makes when persons are presented to her. Though she has been far from her native home for the past fifteen years. except for brief visits at rare intervals. she Is familiar with the min utest incidents of Alabama history, both ancient and modern, and with its literature as well.
 The warm weather during Christmas week she found quite oppressive and as she said. she felt like she was in a rabbit stew" Miss Keller Is very fond of walking and on these warm sunny days takes long walks with her mother and Miss Curren or with her sister g young companions, In whose society she delights. She Is frequently seen on the streets of Florence. generally walk ing rapidly and with much confidence. A favorite amusement with her Is soli- taire. which she plays with a deck of cards she has marked with raised let ters.
 Miss Keller will return to Rentham in April to attend the wedding of Miss Sullivan, after which she will take up her work as before, Meanwhile. she will take a complete rest and enjoy herself.