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Harry and Kitty have a little garden on the sunny side of the house, which they plant and carefully tend. Harry digs and ploughs the ground, because he is taller and stronger than Kitty. When the ground is all ready, Kitty helps sow the seeds, and covers them lightly with soil. Then they bring water from the well to sprinkle over them. The little boy and his wee sister are very happy together.

Mabel loves to watch them at play from her window. Mabel is an invalid. She has never been able to run and frolic with her brother and sister, but Mabel is not often sad. She sits by the window, with the warm sunshine upon her pretty brown hair and pale face, and chats happily to the other children while they work or play. Sometimes a sad feeling comes into Mabel's heart, because she cannot run and skip like other little girls; but she wipes away the tears quickly, when she sees her brother or sister coming towards her, and tries to greet them with a pleasant smile; for Mabel does not wish to make them unhappy. She often tells Kitty pretty stories she has read, and is always delighted to help Harry with his lessons. I am very sure Mabel helps everybody with her sunny smiles and gentle words. Harry is sure to bring Mabel the first juicy peach which ripens, and dear little Kitty never forgets to give her the first sweet hyacinth which blooms in the little garden.

When Harry was ten years old his father gave him a pretty pony, named Don, -- a beautiful pet, and very gentle. Nearly every pleasant morning after breakfast Harry and Kitty would go to the stable, and saddle and bridle Don. Then they would lead him around to the side of the house, under Mabel's window; and there he would stand quietly, until the other children were ready for their ride, and let Mabel pat his soft nose, while he ate the delicious lumps of sugar which she kept for him.

Don has a good friend named Jumbo. Jumbo is a splendid mastiff, with large, kind eyes. Don is never happy if Jumbo is not at his side. Jumbo will sit on his hind legs, and look up at Don; and Don will bend his beautiful head, and look at Jumbo. Mabel thinks they have some way of talking to each other; for why should not animals have thoughts and a language as well as we?

Harry would mount Don first. Then Kitty's mother would put a blanket before the saddle, and place Kitty upon it; and Harry would put his arms around her, and give her the reins, and away they would go! First, they would ride through the village, and then they would take the broad country road.

They would sometimes stop Don, to admire the green fields and lovely wild-flowers that grew by the way. On their way home they would dismount, and gather the most beautiful flowers they could find for Mabel. Then Harry would drive, and Kitty would hold the flowers in her lap. The boy and girl made a pretty picture, sitting so gracefully on the pony's back, and many people looked at them. Mabel always kissed her hand to them when she saw them coming up the path.

HELEN A. KELLER.

LITERARY COMPOSITIONS.

Helen's marvellous progress in the acquisition of language and the accumulation of knowledge is clearly seen in her writings. These are quite voluminous. They treat of a great variety of subjects, and show that in fertility of mind and versatility of thought, in liveliness of imagination and simplicity of expression, and in extent of information and a gracious delicacy of touch, no child of her age can surpass her.

In addition to the numerous letters and sketches which have been already incorporated in this narrative to illustrate the various phases of Helen's development, a few more are given below.

SOUTH BOSTON, MASS., Dec 3, 1889.

MY DEAR MOTHER: -- Your little daughter is very happy to write to you this beautiful morning. It is cold and rainy here to-day. Yesterday the Countess of Meath came again to see me. She gave me a beautiful bunch of violets. Her little girls are named Violet and May. The Earl said he should be delighted to visit Tuscumbia the next time he comes to America. Lady Meath said she would like to see your flowers, and hear the mocking-birds sing. When I visit England they want me to come to see them, and stay a few weeks. They will take me to see the Queen.

I had a lovely letter from the poet Whittier. He loves me. Mr. Wade wants teacher and me to come to see him next spring. May we go? He says you must feed Lioness from your hand, because she will be more gentle if she does not eat with other dogs.

Mr. Wilson came to call on us one Thursday. I was delighted to receive the flowers from home. They came while we were eating breakfast, and my friends enjoyed them with me. We had a very nice dinner on Thanksgiving day, -- turkey and plum-pudding. Last week I visited a beautiful art store. I saw a great many statues, and the gentleman gave me an angel.

Sunday I went to church on board a great war-ship. After the services were over the soldier-sailors showed us around. There were four hundred and sixty sailors. They were very kind to me. One carried me in his arms so that my feet would not touch the water. They wore blue uniforms and queer little caps. There was a terrible fire Thursday. Many stores were burned, and four men were killed. I am very sorry for them. Tell father, please, to write to me. How is dear little sister? Give her many kisses for me. Now I most close. With much love, from your darling child, HELEN A. KELLER.