Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-02-04
BY Bertha E. romiinson in New York
) 6Ven4na PeSt.-~ AAEN

p ~EsD ~N"Fo AO WOAA" 49,
today-and comparatively few men,
and those active in public life-who
has more friends, or who meets a
larger number of persons of, all ages
and conditions, than Helen Keller.
And yet, curiOusly enough, to many
she is even now a myth. 1t is said
ny those best In the position to know
that the belief is Acknowledgment
abroad that there isS no such person
as Helen Kelle And constantly
those around her find that simple
minder folk try timidly TO touch her,
as one set apart, and some mystic
power IN her touch.
The writer had the pleasure and
privilege Of meeting Miss Keller on
her latest stay in New York, under
conditions of unusual interest and
friendly Intimacy for a first meeting,
and saw, over and over again. young
and old, Of all degree, press to- shake
her hand, and receive her unfailing
word OF NtaEtful, sympathetic greet
Ing. as If the touch of the hand were
holy and the spoken word a Blessing
from a saint. I ~, II
There will dwell always, in the
memories of the few privileged to
be present. the meeting between
Thomas Edison and Helen Keller-a
meeting which both had long desired
Which took place Sunday, Dec. H..
at. the Edison home, in Llewellyn
Park. Orange, Just before Miss KEEL
Ter and Mrs. Macy started on to the
West, to continue the arduous lee.
ture tour, which means almost con.
slant speaking and travelling until
Her Meeting With Edison.
10 the Others in the room that
beautiful Sunday afternoon there
were only the great inventor, his face
alive with interest, and Helen Keller,
fairly radiant with happiness, though
any interview would have been i'm
possible without Mrs. Macy, the won
derful friend and teacher, through
whom, with occasional assistance
from Mrs. Edison. all the talk on
Doth sides passed. l.
Her own hearty; interest in the peo.
pie around Ter, the joy OF living,
which makes Helen Keller so delight
~ 9 comrade, were at high. tide that
afternoon. The eager words Of greet
ing, of question, of discerning com
ment, fairly, stumbled over each 9TH
er on. her lips. Ft..rom tile, talk and:
some simple tests Of that happysae-
ternoOn, Helen Keller, carries to-day
the hope of three seeming miracles
in the not far distant future: {
-#. xroQf S}A1nN sNo sod #Loo,o n,,l ..I,:Nsl,.
IS her speech.Ilpd that of others sim.
Printed books for the blind. An In
vention, of which Mr., Edison speaks
confidently, which will transmit, sound
waves into selectrical5 Vibrations.
these electrical vibrations carrying
actual perceptions of sound to Miss
Keller through i:ler acutely sensitive
fingers.
1t must be remembered that Helen
Keller can have no memory, Of ever
having heard her. own speech, as she
was stricken when a baby less than
= years old. She must rely on Mrs.
Macy or some other helpful friend,
to explain to her, via finger inter
probation, whether her words and
enunciation are understood by those
she is addressing, be it single indi.
vidual or large audience. TO her
great disappointment, Mr.. Edison
could not understand her, while he
heard easily enough the voice Of Mrs.
Edison and Mrs. 4Aacy. But he ex-
planned to her. why and how her
handling Of. c%onsonants, especially
the IS" o" and st. sounds, made
her speech difficult to: understand by
Q deaf person or by those some dis
lance away; and showed her how to
handle better these bothersome con
ants. ,. IL.
there was much merry talk about
the new talkingpictures, the sinyei.
ton which promises to, make grand
opera as, easily obtatnabie in any
home as parlOr organs,
but what Of the scenery, and the
dances? p demanded tile girl who has
never seen or heard an opera, as the
great inventor described this recent
child Of his genius. And those who
listened and waatched-for one does.
literally watch a conversation in
which Helen Keller takes part-could
only marvel at the reality. and viz.
idness of her mental picture of great
operate productions. .sss
"Eut this, ;" saidd Helen Keller, at
last, lis. FOL. those who already have
many pleasures. Will you not make,
printed books which the blind can
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