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That Helen was very grateful to her generous friend for this fresh token of his affection goes without saying. At the same time she was quite anxious that Tommy's future career should be held as of greater importance than her pleasures, and that it should receive adequate consideration. She was delighted to have her lost companion replaced; but the deliverance of the little boy from the labyrinth of isolation was of the utmost concern to her. This feeling became manifest to all who conversed or corresponded with her, and it was delicately expressed in a letter which she wrote to one of Mr. Wade's children in acknowledgment of some toy animals received from him. Here is her note.

SOUTH BOSTON, Feb. 17, 1891.

"Valentine, O Valentine,
Pretty little love of mine."

I send you many sweet thanks for your dear love, and for the gentle pets you sent to tell me of my dear Valentine. I have been sick for a long time, and am not quite all well yet, but teacher said I could write to you a little letter. I am so glad that your papa is coming to Boston. You must ask him to bring you with him. We will have great fun at the dog show, I think. Did you know that my beautiful Lioness was dead? She was killed while playing with some other dogs near my home. My heart is so sad about it. The tears come whenever I think how terrified she must have been to have people unkind to her. We had all loved her so. I cannot tell how I knew that my beautiful dog's expression softened and became more intelligent when I caressed her, but I am sure it was true. She would lay her great head in my lap whenever I told her how fine dogs ought to behave, and I am sure she understood. At first I was delighted to hear that your papa had another dog for me, but now I fear that something might happen to it, and that would be too dreadful. I would rather try to be happy without one, than that the faithful friend should be killed. Tell your papa that when I am well I am going to write a letter to the boys and girls in Boston, and tell them about darling little Tommy, and ask them to send their pennies to Mr. Anagnos so that he can bring Tommy to Boston in April. I hope I can teach him something myself. Now, my own Valentine, I must say a loving good-bye. Give your papa and mamma and dear sister Lois my love and many kisses. Your Valentine,

HELEN KELLER.

A few weeks later she wrote to Mr. Goodhue of Danville, Canada, bringing Tommy's case to his notice in a most graceful manner.

SOUTH BOSTON, MASS., March 9, 1891.

MY DEAR FRIEND, MR. GOODHUE: -- I am going to write you a little letter, just to tell you how happy I am to know that I have a dear friend far away in Canada, who was grieved because I should never see my beautiful Lioness any more. When Mr. Wade wrote and told me about you, I knew that you were very good and generous, and I could not help loving you very much indeed. I would like to know if you have any little boys and girls, and if you have I would love to hear about them and their pets. I love great, faithful dogs like Lioness, but I love little boys and girls still more. Has Mr. Wade told you about Tommy, the little blind and deaf child? The light and all pleasant sounds went out of his life when he was only four years old. He has no gentle mother to lead him about, and his father is too poor to send him here to Boston to be educated. Is it not pitiful? I tell all of my friends about the dear little fellow, because I am sure they will want to help bring light and music into his sad life. How happy Tommy would be if he knew that knowledge and joy were awaiting him with a bright smile at the blind children's kindergarten! And now good-bye, dear friend. Lovingly, HELEN A. KELLER.

The dog lovers in America, wishing to gratify Helen's overmastering desire, concluded to strengthen her hands in her benevolent work by raising a fund in her name for the benefit of her little protégé.

The announcement of this decision filled her heart with unspeakable joy. In writing to Mr. Krehl in London to thank him for his offer to buy a mastiff for her, she availed herself of the opportunity to acquaint him with what was to be done in Tommy's behalf, and to tell him what blessings education would bring to the unfortunate child. Here is the text of her letter.

INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND,
SOUTH BOSTON, MASS., March 20, 1891.

MY DEAR FRIEND, MR. KREHL: -- I have just heard, through Mr. Wade, of your kind offer to buy me a gentle dog, and I want to thank you for the kind thought. It makes me very happy indeed to know that I have such dear friends in other lands. It makes me think that all people are good and loving. I have read that the English and Americans are cousins; but I am sure it would be much truer to say that we are brothers and sisters. Many friends have told me about your great and magnificent city, and I have read a great deal that wise Englishmen have written. I have begun to read "Enoch Arden," and I know several of the great poet's poems by heart. I am eager to cross the ocean, for I want to see my English friends and their good and wise queen. Once the Earl of Meath came to see me, and he told me that the queen was much beloved by her people, because of her gentleness and wisdom. Some day you will be surprised to see a little strange girl coming into your office; but when you know it is the little girl who loves dogs and all other animals, you will laugh, and I hope you will give her a kiss, just as Mr. Wade does. He has another dog for me, and he thinks she will be as brave and faithful as my beautiful Lioness. And now I want to tell you what the dog lovers in America are going to do. They are going to send me some money for a poor little deaf and dumb and blind child. His name is Tommy, and he is five years old. His parents are too poor to pay to have the little fellow sent to school; so, instead of giving me a dog, the gentlemen are going to help make Tommy's life as bright and joyous as mine. Is it not a beautiful plan? Education will bring light and music into Tommy's soul, and then he cannot help being happy.