Page 192 - The Story of My Lif

hundred books, including many fine ones, were sent to me in a short time, as

well as money and encouragement.

This generous assistance encouraged the ladies, and they have gone on collecting
and buying books ever since, until now they have a very respectable public

library in the town.”

TO MRS. CHARLES E. INCHES

Hulton, Penn., Oct. 21, 1893.

…We spent September at home in Tuscumbia… and were all very happy
together…. Our quiet mountain home was especially attractive and restful after
the excitement and fatigue of our visit to the World’s Fair. We enjoyed the
beauty and solitude of the hills more than ever.

And now we are in Hulton, Penn. again where I am going to study this winter
with a tutor assisted by my dear teacher. I study Arithmetic, Latin and literature.
I enjoy my lessons very much.

It is so pleasant to learn about new things. Every day I find how little I know, but
I do not feel discouraged since God has given me an eternity in which to learn
more. In literature I am studying Longfellow’s poetry. I know a great deal of it
by heart, for I loved it long before I knew a metaphor from a synecdoche. I used
to say I did not like arithmetic very well, but now I have changed my mind. I see
what a good and useful study it is, though I must confess my mind wanders from
it sometimes! for, nice and useful as arithmetic is, it is not as interesting as a
beautiful poem or a lovely story. But bless me, how time does fly. I have only a

few moments left in which to answer your questions about the “Helen Keller”
Public Library.

1. I think there are about 3,000 people in Tuscumbia, Ala., and perhaps half of
them are colored people. 2. At present there is no library of any sort in the town.
That is why I thought about starting one. My mother and several of my lady