The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-14

to pluck the tiny violet, guided alone by the sense of smell. Through her own endeavor she went from field to orchard. She felt for the shape of the smallest bud and flower. So slow and uncertain was her effort, so great was the need of some outward form of expression, when she was years old a teacher was se- cured-Mlss Sullivan, who was gifted with remarkable powers The first step was complte isolation. A room was built away from the home, wherein Miss Sullivan and her charge lived alone. The wee house still stands. People who are in- terested in the achievements of Helen Keller come from norm and south, east and west. to see where so many of the awakening years of her life was spent.
 Miss Sullivan began by teaching the names of objects, by the objects them selves. For instance, she would stand for hours before the old fashioned pump, pumping the water on the hand of the child; then she would spef1 the word w-a-t-e-r, in the palm of her hand. Through the mists and vapors of uncer- tainty tangible shapes began to form, a lost memory came surging over her being and one >ly into her hands was delivered the mystery of anguage-henceforth her hands were to be the instruments of com municaton. her finger tips would redeem her from absolute silence.
 She writes of this revelations:
 Thus I came up out of Egypt and stood before Sinai, a power divine touched my spirit and gave It light, so that I beheld many wonders, and from that sacred mountain I heard a voice, which said:
 Knowledge is love and light and vision.'"
 Those years were beautiful years to the child. but it required all the remarkable genius, quick intuition and loving sym pathy of Miss Sullivan 10 project and plan the work for the out-rcaching mind of the child
 Together they travelled. The highest mountain peak became medium of con- parison to differentiate between the high CT attitudes and the lowlands of the Ten nessee valley.
 She felt the unobstructed sound waves that came pulsing over the Great Lakes, and recognized a difference between ob- structed and unobstructed sounds. She heard the roar of Niagara Falls, the waters leaping over the declivity. awakened in her soul the same awe, that is replicated, in the feeling of grandeur that comes to the natural man as he first beholds the wonder of nature Under the spell of this scene, which she could not ace-only feel-she wrote a description of Niagara vivid that a glorious concept is formed in the mind of the reader. In 1891 she entered a school, peculiarly adapted to voice culture and lip reading Her advancement was phenomenal. When she was 16 she could read Latin French and German. She was so pains-taking with all her work that she was soon ready for Cambridge. which was a preparatory step to Radclif.
 Miss Sullivan attended every recitation with her, interpreting the message from the gray haired professors. During those days people would liager near, just to watch the two; one so eager to interpret the other so eager to grasp. One was giv- ing forth all the time. the other was re- ceiving. One was voice and vision, crys- tallizing knowledge into a tangible shape so that the child might hold it in her fragile fingers and transmit it through the sensory nerves to the brain.
 In 1900 she entered ,:adclif college There she completed her education after which she lectured. The first money she made went to cancel the mortgage on her childhood home in TGscumbia, Ala. This mortgage was placed on the home in .or- der that her education might be obtained
 She now writes for leading periodicals and her sense of touch Is constantly be- coming more acute. By the unduations of air and the vibrations of the floor she can tell what friend is approaching and
 if she touches the hand. she can tell the state of mind of her friend.
 Her home for long time has been in Wrentham, Mass. All the proceeds of her pen. above expenses, Is dedicated to the unfortunate--like herself She is now giv- ing forth to others. she Is building for eternity. Her life is forever immortal ized. not for the obstacles she has over