The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-20

Ter. 'rhe touch of some hands is all impertinence. I have met people sc empty of joy that when l clasped their frosty finger tips it seemed as if were shaking hands with a northeast storm Others there are whose hands have sunbeams in them, so that their grasp warns the heart. It may be only the clinging touch of a child's hand put there is as much potential sun shine in it for me as there is in a low ing glance from others. A real hearty handshake gives me genuine pleasure like letter from a friend"
 All the work of Mrs. Macy with Miss Keller is well known Hardly a maga- zine for years has not at sometime pub lished some item of her remarkable life; hardly a paper that has not edi- toriallzed over her great braip, Her works have become household treas Ures and the wonderful autobiography Is an inspiration
 It has been said of Miss Helen Kel- Ter that she is the greatest woman liv- ing and one of the greatest that ever lived. Surely none have become great in mind and heart through such dark ened ways. It is doubtless through her very afflication that her sympathies are so alive.
 Helen Kellers optimism is but one of the many things to marvel at in this girl who has had so many barriers be- tween her and the pleasures of the nor nal being. Optimism will be the key note of her lecture at the Bijou theatre, as 1t has been the keynote of her whole life. From blank, a darkness, that has always surrounded her, she gives forth a message full of a sunshine which she in her blindness sees more fully than do many who have sight. It is a message addressed to those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, for no one can hear Helen keller's optimism and cheerfulness without being profoundly thankful for what are deemed to be ordinary facul- ties of life. Large audiences have often been astonished by her apt comparisons and descriptions of things.
 While still in college at Radcliffe she wrote: Have you ever been at sea in dense fog, when it seemed as if a tangible white darkness shut you in, and the great ship, tense and anxious, groped her way toward shore with plummet and sounding line, and you waited with beating heart for something to happen? I was like that ship before my education began, only was without compass or sounding line, and had no way of knowing how near the harbor was"
 After one of her lectures Miss Kel- Ter was asked if she could tell whether her audiences were large or not, and her answer shows what remarkable use she makes of her own senses.
 Yes, it is a large audience" she ssid, T can tell by the vibrations of many feet in motion, and then the air is dense and warm when there are many people in the room"
 Can you tell if people are applaud ing you?"s she was asked.
 "Yes,' she replied, "by the vibration of the air"
 Her listeners wanted to applaud but were interrupted by another question.
 Can you tell if your audience is interested?"
 "Oh, yes, they always are"
 And one wonders how anyone could help but be interested by this genius, 8 genius all the more strongly appre- elated after one has listened to the story of her life, as told in the lec- lures.
 The true spirit of Birmingham is shown in the great interest that is being manifested in the coming of Miss Keller to the city. Every school child is interested, the civic bodies are adding their support, long line of patronesses headed by the city's most influential citizens are helping to do honor to this most remarkabl Ala bamlan.
 The Association for the Blind has a purpose, however, other than the mere delight and qualification in being the first to introduce Miss Keller to Bir- mingham audience. The proceeds of this lecture are to be given to the library to buy books for the blind, to be used in connection with what the library all ready has as a circulation library for the blind of the state. This can be easily done. as the United States government has made it possible to send books for the blind by mail free of charge.
 If enough money is raised at the sociation this will be the case-a teacher will be secured to visit the homes of the adult blind of the city, and later the county and state, and teach those persons that have become blind through illness or accident too late to be allowed to enter the school at Talladega. This work has the hearty of the superintendent of the School for the Blind. In a recent letter from MT. Manning he said: Don't forget the travelling teacher for the blind. I believe it is the best thing we can do for the adult blind of Ala bama"
 The sale of tickets is in the compe- tent hands of Miss Alma Rittenberry, and very large sale is expected.
 Surely civic pride demands that we show our interest in this greatest of Alabama women by honoring her with a large audience. Let us make the proceeds large for the Association for the Blind so that they may continue to do the work they have set themselves to. In the words of Miss Keller: Let us resolve, from now on, as much as depends on us, that every deaf child shall be placed in position to speak, that every person shall have a good to get the best out of life. Thus we can replace the broken bands of human speech, and diminish deafness and blindness in the world.'