Page 158 - The Story of My Lif

father for sending me some money, to buy gifts for my friends. I love to make

everybody happy. I should like to be at home on Christmas day. We would be
very happy together. I think of my beautiful home every day. Please do not
forget to send me some pretty presents to hang on my tree. I am going to have a
Christmas tree, in the parlor and teacher will hang all of my gifts upon it. It will
be a funny tree. All of the girls have gone home to spend Christmas. Teacher and
I are the only babies left for Mrs. Hopkins to care for. Teacher has been sick in
bed for many days. Her throat was very sore and the doctor thought she would
have to go away to the hospital, but she is better now.

I have not been sick at all. The little girls are well too.

Friday I am going to spend the day with my little friends Carrie, Ethel, Frank
and Helen Freeman. We will have great fun I am sure.

Mr. and Miss Endicott came to see me, and I went to ride in the carriage. They
are going to give me a lovely present, but I cannot guess what it will be. Sammy
has a dear new brother. He is very soft and delicate yet. Mr. Anagnos is in
Athens now. He is delighted because I am here. Now I must say, goodbye. I hope
I have written my letter nicely, but it is very difficult to write on this paper and
teacher is not here to give me better. Give many kisses to little sister and much
love to all. Lovingly HELEN.

TO DR. EDWARD EVERETT HALE

South Boston, Jan. 8, 1890.

My dear Mr. Hale:

The beautiful shells came last night. I thank you very much for them. I shall
always keep them, and it will make me very happy to think that you found them,
on that far away island, from which Columbus sailed to discover our dear
country. When I am eleven years old it will be four hundred years since he
started with the three small ships to cross the great strange ocean. He was very