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If my little sister comes to Boston next June, will you let me bring her to see you? She is a lovely baby, and I am sure you will love her.

Now I must tell my gentle poet good-bye, for I have a letter to write home before I go to bed.

From your loving little friend, HELEN A. KELLER.

In reply to this tribute came a sympathetic letter from the poet.

BEVERLY FARMS, Mass., Aug. 1, 1890.

MY DEAR LITTLE FRIEND HELEN: -- I received your welcome letter several days ago, but I have so much writing to do that I am apt to make my letters wait a good while before they get answered.

It gratifies me very much to find that you remember me so kindly. Your letter is charming, and I am greatly pleased with it. I rejoice to know that you are well and happy. I am very much delighted to hear of your new acquisition -- that you "talk with your mouth" as well as with your fingers. What a curious thing speech is! The tongue is so serviceable a member (taking all sorts of shapes, just as is wanted), -- the teeth, the lips, the roof of the mouth, all ready to help, and so heap up the sound of the voice into the solid bits which we call consonants, and make room for the curiously shaped breathings which we call vowels! You have studied all this, I don't doubt, since you have practised vocal speaking.

I am surprised at the mastery of language which your letter shows. It almost makes me think the world would get along as well without seeing and hearing as with them. Perhaps people would be better in a great many ways, for they could not fight as they do now. Just think of an army of blind people, with guns and cannon! Think of the poor drummers! Of what use would they and their drumsticks be? You are spared the pain of many sights and sounds, which you are only too happy in escaping. Then think how much kindness you are sure of as long as you live. Everybody will feel an interest in dear little Helen; everybody will want to do something for her; and, if she becomes an ancient, gray-haired woman, she is still sure of being thoughtfully cared for.

Your parents and friends must take great satisfaction in your progress. It does great credit, not only to you, but to your instructors, who have so broken down the walls that seemed to shut you in that now your outlook seems more bright and cheerful than that of many seeing and hearing children.

Good-bye, dear little Helen! With every kind wish from your friend, OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.

In many ways friends from far and near have tried to brighten Helen's life. One day she was surprised and delighted to receive a letter from Mrs. Laura E. Richards, telling her that the Messrs. Bradstreet of Gardiner, Me., had named a beautiful ship for her.

GARDINER, July 8, 1890.

MY DEAR HELEN: -- You probably do not remember me among the many, many people you saw in Boston; but you will know who I am, when I tell you that Mr. Anagnos is my brother-in-law, and Rosy Richards is my daughter. I write to tell you something which I think will please you. There are two gentlemen here in Gardiner, named Bradstreet, who have what is called a lumber company. That is, they buy quantities of logs, -- thousands and thousands of them, -- up among the forests of northern Maine. These logs are fastened together in long rafts, and brought down the Kennebec River to the Bradstreet Brothers' great saw-mill, where they are cut up into planks and boards, and then sent all over the country.

Now, these two gentlemen have just had a fine new vessel built, to carry their lumber wherever it is wanted; and they thought it would be a very pleasant thing to name the vessel -- what do you think? -- the HELEN KELLER. In the first place, they think it a very pretty name; and in the second place, they thought you might like to know that, far away in Maine, there are people who know about you, and think of you, although they have never seen you. So now -- only think! there are two Helen Kellers! One stays at home, and studies and plays; and the other goes sailing all over the world, over the blue sea, carrying wood from the forests of America to far-away lands. Is not this a pleasant thought, dear? I hope the winds and the waves will be very kind and gentle to the new Helen, -- that her shining white sails may be filled by favoring breezes, and that the ripples may break lovingly about her prow. If you are pleased at the naming of the ship, perhaps you would like to write a little note to the Messrs. Bradstreet, telling them so; or, if you had rather, you can send the message through me. Rosy sends you a great deal of love; and I am, dear Helen, cordially your friend, LAURA E. RICHARDS.

Here is Helen's reply: --

TUSCUMBIA, ALA., July 14, 1890.

MY DEAR MRS. RICHARDS: -- I remember you very well, and Miss Alice and dear Rosy. I was delighted to hear that I had such a beautiful namesake. I think it was very, very kind of the gentlemen to think of me, and call their great new ship for me; and I thank you for writing such a nice letter about it. I have been at home three weeks now, and oh, how happy I have been with my dear parents and my precious little sister! I have the gentlest donkey you can imagine, and a splendid mastiff dog named Lioness. Please give my dear love to your children, and give Rosy a sweet kiss for me.