Chapter 23

Would that I could enrich this sketch with the names of all those who have ministered to my happiness! Some of them would be found written in our literature and dear to the hearts of many, while others would be wholly unknown to most of my readers. But their influence, though it escapes fame, shall live immortal in the lives that have been sweetened and ennobled by it. Those are red-letter days in our lives when we meet people who thrill us like a fine poem, people whose handshake is brimful of unspoken sympathy, and whose sweet, rich natures impart to our eager, impatient spirits a wonderful restfulness which, in its essence, is divine. The perplexities, irritations and worries that have absorbed us pass like unpleasant dreams, and we wake to see with new eyes and hear with new ears the beauty and harmony of God's real world. The solemn nothings that fill our everyday life blossom suddenly into bright possibilities. In a word, while such friends are near us we feel that all is well. Perhaps we never saw them before, and they may never cross our life's path again; but the influence of their calm, mellow natures is a libation poured upon our discontent, and we feel its healing touch, as the ocean feels the mountain stream freshening its brine.

I wish I could include the names of everyone who has brought me happiness in this sketch! Some names would be found in our literature and would be dear to many people. Others would be completely unknown to most of my readers. But though these people may never become famous, their influence will live forever in the lives they have sweetened and ennobled. The days when we meet certain people are special days in our lives. They thrill us like a fine poem. Their handshakes are full of unspoken sympathy. Their sweet, generous natures bring a wonderful peace to our eager, impatient spirits, a peace that is divine at heart. The problems, irritations, and worries that have absorbed us pass like unpleasant dreams. We wake to see with new eyes and hear with new ears the beauty and harmony of God's real world. The things that seem so important but mean so little in our daily lives suddenly blossom into bright possibilities. In short, while such friends are near us, we feel that all is well. Perhaps we have never seen them before, and they may never cross our path again. But the influence of their calm, gentle natures is like an offering poured over our discontent. We feel its healing touch, as the ocean feels a mountain stream freshen its salt water.

I have often been asked, "Do not people bore you?" I do not understand quite what that means. I suppose the calls of the stupid and curious, especially of newspaper reporters, are always inopportune. I also dislike people who try to talk down to my understanding. They are like people who when walking with you try to shorten their steps to suit yours; the hypocrisy in both cases is equally exasperating.

People have often asked me, "Don't people bore you?" I don't quite understand what that means. I suppose visits from stupid and curious people, especially newspaper reporters, always come at a bad time. I also dislike people who try to talk down to me. They are like people who shorten their steps to match yours when walking with you. The hypocrisy is equally exasperating in both cases.

The hands of those I meet are dumbly eloquent to me. The touch of some hands is an impertinence. I have met people so empty of joy, that when I clasped their frosty finger tips, it seemed as if I were shaking hands with a northeast storm. Others there are whose hands have sunbeams in them, so that their grasp warms my heart. It may be only the clinging touch of a child's hand; but there is as much potential sunshine in it for me as there is in a loving glance for others. A hearty handshake or a friendly letter gives me genuine pleasure.

The hands of people I meet speak to me without words. The touch of some hands feels rude. I have met people so lacking in joy that their fingertips felt icy when I held them. It seemed as if I were shaking hands with a northeast storm. Others have sunbeams in their hands, and their grasp warms my heart. It may be only the clinging touch of a child’s hand. But that touch holds as much possible sunshine for me as a loving glance does for others. A warm handshake or a friendly letter gives me genuine pleasure.

I have many far-off friends whom I have never seen. Indeed they are so many that I have often been unable to reply to their letters; but I wish to say here that I am always grateful for their kind words, however insufficiently I acknowledge them.

I have many friends far away whom I have never met. In fact, I have so many that I have often been unable to reply to their letters. But I want to say here that I am always grateful for their kind words, even when I don't thank them enough.

I count it one of the sweetest privileges of my life to have known and conversed with many men of genius. Only those who knew Bishop Brooks can appreciate the joy his friendship was to those who possessed it. As a child I loved to sit on his knee and clasp his great hand with one of mine, while Miss Sullivan spelled into the other his beautiful words about God and the spiritual world. I heard him with a child's wonder and delight. My spirit could not reach up to his, but he gave me a real sense of joy in life, and I never left him without carrying away a fine thought that grew in beauty and depth of meaning as I grew. Once, when I was puzzled to know why there were so many religions, he said: "There is one universal religion, Helen—the religion of love. Love your Heavenly Father with your whole heart and soul, love every child of God as much as ever you can, and remember that the possibilities of good are greater than the possibilities of evil; and you have the key to Heaven." And his life was a happy illustration of this great truth. In his noble soul love and widest knowledge were blended with faith that had become insight. He saw

I count knowing and talking with many people of genius as one of the sweetest privileges of my life. Only those who knew Bishop Brooks can appreciate the joy his friendship brought. As a child, I loved to sit on his knee and hold his large hand in one of mine. Meanwhile, Miss Sullivan spelled his beautiful words about God and the spiritual world into my other hand. I listened to him with a child's wonder and delight. My spirit could not reach up to his, but he gave me a real sense of joy in life. I never left him without taking away a fine thought. As I grew, each thought grew more beautiful and meaningful. Once, I was puzzled about why there were so many religions. He said: "There is one universal religion, Helen, the religion of love. Love your Heavenly Father with your whole heart and soul. Love every child of God as much as you can. Remember that the possibilities for good are greater than the possibilities for evil. Then you have the key to Heaven." His life was a happy example of this great truth. In his noble soul, love and wide knowledge blended with faith that had become insight. He saw

Bishop Brooks taught me no special creed or dogma; but he impressed upon my mind two great ideas—the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, and made me feel that these truths underlie all creeds and forms of worship. God is love, God is our Father, we are His children; therefore the darkest clouds will break and though right be worsted, wrong shall not triumph.

Bishop Brooks taught me no particular creed or dogma. Instead, he impressed two great ideas on me: God is our Father, and all people are brothers and sisters. He made me feel that these truths underlie all creeds and forms of worship. God is love. God is our Father, and we are his children. Therefore, the darkest clouds will break, and though right may be defeated, wrong will not triumph.

I am too happy in this world to think much about the future, except to remember that I have cherished friends awaiting me there in God's beautiful Somewhere. In spite of the lapse of years, they seem so close to me that I should not think it strange if at any moment they should clasp my hand and speak words of endearment as they used to before they went away.

I am too happy in this world to think much about the future. I only remember that dear friends are waiting for me there, in God's beautiful Somewhere. Despite the years that have passed, those friends still seem so close to me. I would not be surprised if, at any moment, they took my hand and spoke loving words to me, as they used to before they went away.

Since Bishop Brooks died I have read the Bible through; also some philosophical works on religion, among them Swedenborg's "Heaven and Hell" and Drummond's "Ascent of Man," and I have found no creed or system more soul-satisfying than Bishop Brooks's creed of love. I knew Mr. Henry Drummond, and the memory of his strong, warm hand-clasp is like a benediction. He was the most sympathetic of companions. He knew so much and was so genial that it was impossible to feel dull in his presence.

Since Bishop Brooks died, I have read the whole Bible. I have also read some philosophical works on religion, including Swedenborg's "Heaven and Hell" and Drummond's "Ascent of Man." I have found no creed or system more satisfying to my soul than Bishop Brooks's creed of love. I knew Mr. Henry Drummond, and the memory of his strong, warm handshake feels like a blessing. He was an exceptionally sympathetic companion. He knew so much and was so friendly that it was impossible to feel bored in his presence.

I remember well the first time I saw Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. He had invited Miss Sullivan and me to call on him one Sunday afternoon. It was early in the spring, just after I had learned to speak. We were shown at once to his library where we found him seated in a big armchair by an open fire which glowed and crackled on the hearth, thinking, he said, of other days.

I remember clearly the first time I met Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. He had invited Miss Sullivan and me to visit him one Sunday afternoon. It was early spring, just after I had learned to speak. We were taken straight to his library, where he sat in a big armchair by an open fire. The fire glowed and crackled on the hearth. He said he was thinking of earlier days.

"And listening to the murmur of the River Charles," I suggested.

"And listening to the gentle sound of the River Charles," I suggested.

"Yes," he replied, "the Charles has many dear associations for me." There was an odour of print and leather in the room which told me that it was full of books, and I stretched out my hand instinctively to find them. My fingers lighted upon a beautiful volume of Tennyson's poems, and when Miss Sullivan told me what it was I began to recite:

"Yes," he replied, "the Charles holds many dear memories for me." The room smelled of print and leather, telling me it was full of books. I instinctively reached out to find them. My fingers found a beautiful volume of Tennyson's poems. When Miss Sullivan told me what the book was, I began to recite:

But I stopped suddenly. I felt tears on my hand. I had made my beloved poet weep, and I was greatly distressed. He made me sit in his armchair, while he brought different interesting things for me to examine, and at his request I recited "The Chambered Nautilus," which was then my favorite poem. After that I saw Dr. Holmes many times and learned to love the man as well as the poet.

But I stopped suddenly. I felt tears on my hand. I had made my beloved poet cry, and I was deeply upset. He had me sit in his armchair while he brought me different interesting things to examine. At his request, I recited "The Chambered Nautilus," which was my favorite poem at the time. After that, I saw Dr. Holmes many times and came to love the man as well as the poet.

One beautiful summer day, not long after my meeting with Dr. Holmes, Miss Sullivan and I visited Whittier in his quiet home on the Merrimac. His gentle courtesy and quaint speech won my heart. He had a book of his poems in raised print from which I read "In School Days." He was delighted that I could pronounce the words so well, and said that he had no difficulty in understanding me. Then I asked many questions about the poem, and read his answers by placing my fingers on his lips. He said he was the little boy in the poem, and that the girl's name was Sally, and more which I have forgotten. I also recited "Laus Deo," and as I spoke the concluding verses, he placed in my hands a statue of a slave from whose crouching figure the fetters were falling, even as they fell from Peter's limbs when the angel led him forth out of prison. Afterward we went into his study, and he wrote his autograph for my teacher ["With great admiration of thy noble work in releasing from bondage the mind of thy dear pupil, I am truly thy friend. John G. Whittier."] and expressed his admiration of her work, saying to me, "She is thy spiritual liberator." Then he led me to the gate and kissed me tenderly on my forehead. I promised to visit him again the following summer, but he died before the promise was fulfilled.

One beautiful summer day, not long after I met Dr. Holmes, Miss Sullivan and I visited Whittier at his quiet home on the Merrimac. His gentle manners and charmingly old-fashioned way of speaking won my heart. He had a book of his poems in raised print, and I read "In School Days" from it. He was delighted that I could pronounce the words so well. He said he had no difficulty understanding me. Then I asked many questions about the poem and read his answers by placing my fingers on his lips. He said he was the little boy in the poem and that the girl's name was Sally. He told me more, but I have forgotten it. I also recited "Laus Deo." As I spoke the final verses, he placed a statue of a slave in my hands. The slave was crouching, and the chains were falling from his body. They were falling just as the chains fell from Peter's limbs when the angel led him out of prison. Afterward we went into his study, and he wrote his autograph for my teacher ["With great admiration of thy noble work in releasing from bondage the mind of thy dear pupil, I am truly thy friend. John G. Whittier."] He also expressed his admiration for her work, saying to me, "She is thy spiritual liberator." Then he led me to the gate and kissed me tenderly on my forehead. I promised to visit him again the following summer, but he died before I could keep my promise.

Dr. Edward Everett Hale is one of my very oldest friends. I have known him since I was eight, and my love for him has increased with my years. His wise, tender sympathy has been the support of Miss Sullivan and me in times of trial and sorrow, and his strong hand has helped us over many rough places; and what he has done for us he has done for thousands of those who have difficult tasks to accomplish. He has filled the old skins of dogma with the new wine of love, and shown men what it is to believe, live and be free. What he has taught we have seen beautifully expressed in his own life—love of country, kindness to the least of his brethren, and a sincere desire to live upward and onward. He has been a prophet and an inspirer of men, and a mighty doer of the Word, the friend of all his race—God bless him!

Dr. Edward Everett Hale is one of my oldest friends. I have known him since I was eight, and my love for him has grown over the years. His wise, gentle compassion has supported Miss Sullivan and me through hardship and sorrow. His strong hand has helped us through many difficulties. And what he has done for us, he has done for thousands of people facing difficult tasks. He has filled the old skins of dogma with the new wine of love. He has shown people what it means to believe, to live, and to be free. We have seen his teachings beautifully expressed in his own life: love of country, kindness to the least among his fellow human beings, and a sincere desire to live a better life and keep moving forward. He has been a prophet and an inspiration to people, a mighty doer of the Word, and a friend to all humanity. God bless him!

I have already written of my first meeting with Dr. Alexander Graham Bell. Since then I have spent many happy days with him at Washington and at his beautiful home in the heart of Cape Breton Island, near Baddeck, the village made famous by Charles Dudley Warner's book. Here in Dr. Bell's laboratory, or in the fields on the shore of the great Bras d'Or, I have spent many delightful hours listening to what he had to tell me about his experiments, and helping him fly kites by means of which he expects to discover the laws that shall govern the future air-ship. Dr. Bell is proficient in many fields of science, and has the art of making every subject he touches interesting, even the most abstruse theories. He makes you feel that if you only had a little more time, you, too, might be an inventor. He has a humorous and poetic side, too. His dominating passion is his love for children. He is never quite so happy as when he has a little deaf child in his arms. His labours in behalf of the deaf will live on and bless generations of children yet to come; and we love him alike for what he himself has achieved and for what he has evoked from others.

I have already written about my first meeting with Dr. Alexander Graham Bell. Since then, I have spent many happy days with him in Washington and at his beautiful home. His home is in the heart of Cape Breton Island, near Baddeck, the village made famous by Charles Dudley Warner's book. I have spent many delightful hours in Dr. Bell's laboratory or in the fields along the shore of the great Bras d'Or. There, I listened to him talk about his experiments and helped him fly kites. He hopes to use the kites to discover the laws that will govern the airships of the future. Dr. Bell is skilled in many fields of science. He has a gift for making every subject interesting, even the most difficult theories. He makes you feel that, if you only had a little more time, you, too, might be an inventor. He also has a humorous and poetic side. His greatest passion is his love for children. He is never quite so happy as when he has a little deaf child in his arms. His work for deaf people will live on and bless generations of children yet to come. We love him both for what he has achieved and for what he has inspired others to do.

During the two years I spent in New York I had many opportunities to talk with distinguished people whose names I had often heard, but whom I had never expected to meet. Most of them I met first in the house of my good friend, Mr. Laurence Hutton. It was a great privilege to visit him and dear Mrs. Hutton in their lovely home, and see their library and read the beautiful sentiments and bright thoughts gifted friends had written for them. It has been truly said that Mr. Hutton has the faculty of bringing out in every one the best thoughts and kindest sentiments. One does not need to read "A Boy I Knew" to understand him—the most generous, sweet-natured boy I ever knew, a good friend in all sorts of weather, who traces the footprints of love in the life of dogs as well as in that of his fellowmen.

During the two years I spent in New York, I had many chances to talk with distinguished people. I had often heard their names, but I had never expected to meet them. I first met most of them at the home of my good friend, Mr. Laurence Hutton. It was a great privilege to visit him and dear Mrs. Hutton in their lovely home. I enjoyed seeing their library and reading the beautiful sentiments and bright thoughts their gifted friends had written for them. People have rightly said that Mr. Hutton brings out the best thoughts and kindest feelings in everyone. You do not need to read "A Boy I Knew" to understand him. He is the most generous, sweet-natured boy I ever knew and a good friend in all kinds of weather. He sees signs of love in the lives of dogs as well as in the lives of his fellow humans.

Mrs. Hutton is a true and tried friend. Much that I hold sweetest, much that I hold most precious, I owe to her. She has oftenest advised and helped me in my progress through college. When I find my work particularly difficult and discouraging, she writes me letters that make me feel glad and brave; for she is one of those from whom we learn that one painful duty fulfilled makes the next plainer and easier.

Mrs. Hutton is a true and trusted friend. I owe her much of what I cherish and value most. She has advised and helped me more than anyone else as I have progressed through college. When my work is especially difficult and discouraging, she writes letters that make me feel glad and brave. She is one of those people who teach us that completing one painful duty makes the next one clearer and easier.

Mr. Hutton introduced me to many of his literary friends, greatest of whom are Mr. William Dean Howells and Mark Twain. I also met Mr. Richard Watson Gilder and Mr. Edmund Clarence Stedman. I also knew Mr. Charles Dudley Warner, the most delightful of story-tellers and the most beloved friend, whose sympathy was so broad that it may be truly said of him, he loved all living things and his neighbour as himself. Once Mr. Warner brought to see me the dear poet of the woodlands—Mr. John Burroughs. They were all gentle and sympathetic and I felt the charm of their manner as much as I had felt the brilliancy of their essays and poems. I could not keep pace with all these literary folk as they glanced from subject to subject and entered into deep dispute, or made conversation sparkle with epigrams and happy witticisms. I was like little Ascanius, who followed with unequal steps the heroic strides of Aeneas on his march toward mighty destinies. But they spoke many gracious words to me. Mr. Gilder told me about his moonlight journeys across the vast desert to the Pyramids, and in a letter he wrote me he made his mark under his signature deep in the paper so that I could feel it. This reminds me that Dr. Hale used to give a personal touch to his letters to me by pricking his signature in braille. I read from Mark Twain's lips one or two of his good stories. He has his own way of thinking, saying and doing everything. I feel the twinkle of his eye in his handshake. Even while he utters his cynical wisdom in an indescribably droll voice, he makes you feel that his heart is a tender Iliad of human sympathy.

Mr. Hutton introduced me to many of his literary friends. The greatest of them were Mr. William Dean Howells and Mark Twain. I also met Mr. Richard Watson Gilder and Mr. Edmund Clarence Stedman. I also knew Mr. Charles Dudley Warner, the most delightful storyteller and the most beloved friend. His sympathy was so broad that one could truly say he loved all living things and his neighbor as himself. Once Mr. Warner brought the dear poet of the woodlands, Mr. John Burroughs, to see me. They were all gentle and sympathetic. I felt the charm of their manner as much as I had felt the brilliance of their essays and poems. I could not keep up with all these literary people. They moved quickly from subject to subject, debated deeply, and made conversation sparkle with clever sayings and witty remarks. I was like little Ascanius, whose steps could not match those of Aeneas. Aeneas strode heroically toward mighty destinies. But they spoke many gracious words to me. Mr. Gilder told me about his moonlit journeys across the vast desert to the Pyramids. In a letter, he pressed his mark beneath his signature deep into the paper so that I could feel it. This reminds me that Dr. Hale used to give his letters to me a personal touch by pricking his signature in braille. I read one or two of Mark Twain's good stories from his lips. He has his own way of thinking, saying, and doing everything. I feel the twinkle in his eye in his handshake. Even as he offers his cynical wisdom in an indescribably amusing voice, he makes you feel his heart is a tender Iliad of human sympathy.

There are a host of other interesting people I met in New York: Mrs. Mary Mapes Dodge, the beloved editor of St. Nicholas, and Mrs. Riggs (Kate Douglas Wiggin), the sweet author of "Patsy." I received from them gifts that have the gentle concurrence of the heart, books containing their own thoughts, soul-illumined letters, and photographs that I love to have described again and again. But there is not space to mention all my friends, and indeed there are things about them hidden behind the wings of cherubim, things too sacred to set forth in cold print. It is with hesitancy that I have spoken even of Mrs. Laurence Hutton.

I met many other interesting people in New York. They included Mrs. Mary Mapes Dodge, the beloved editor of St. Nicholas, and Mrs. Riggs (Kate Douglas Wiggin), the sweet author of "Patsy." They gave me gifts that showed their affection: books containing their own thoughts, heartfelt letters, and photographs I love to hear described again and again. But there is not enough space to mention all my friends. And there are things about them hidden behind the wings of cherubim, things too sacred to put into cold print. I have hesitated even to speak of Mrs. Laurence Hutton.

I shall mention only two other friends. One is Mrs. William Thaw, of Pittsburgh, whom I have often visited in her home, Lyndhurst. She is always doing something to make some one happy, and her generosity and wise counsel have never failed my teacher and me in all the years we have known her.

I will mention only two other friends. One is Mrs. William Thaw of Pittsburgh. I have often visited her at her home, Lyndhurst. She is always doing something to make someone happy. In all the years we have known her, my teacher and I have always been able to count on her generosity and wise advice.

To the other friend I am also deeply indebted. He is well known for the powerful hand with which he guides vast enterprises, and his wonderful abilities have gained for him the respect of all. Kind to every one, he goes about doing good, silent and unseen. Again I touch upon the circle of honoured names I must not mention; but I would fain acknowledge his generosity and affectionate interest which make it possible for me to go to college.

I am also deeply indebted to my other friend. He is well known for his strong leadership of vast enterprises. His remarkable abilities have earned him everyone’s respect. He is kind to everyone and quietly does good without drawing attention to himself. Again, I come to the circle of honored people whose names I must not mention. But I want to acknowledge his generosity and affectionate interest, which make it possible for me to attend college.

Thus it is that my friends have made the story of my life. In a thousand ways they have turned my limitations into beautiful privileges, and enabled me to walk serene and happy in the shadow cast by my deprivation.

This is how my friends have shaped the story of my life. In a thousand ways, they have turned my limitations into beautiful privileges. They have helped me live peacefully and happily in the shadow of what I lack.