Page 371 - The Story of My Lif

Before Helen made her final copy of the story, it was suggested to her to change

its title to “The Frost King,” as more appropriate to the subject of which the
story treated; to this she willingly assented. The story was written by Helen in
braille, as usual and copied by her in the same manner, I then interlined the
manuscript for the greater convenience of those who desired to read it. Helen
wrote a little letter, and, enclosing the manuscript, forwarded both by mail to Mr.
Anagnos for his birthday.

The story was printed in the January number of the Mentor and, from a review of
it in the Goodson Gazette, I was startled to find that a very similar story had
been published in 1873, seven years before Helen was born. This story, “Frost
Fairies,”

appeared in a book written by Miss Margaret T. Canby, entitled “Birdie and his
Fairy Friends.” The passages quoted from the two stories were so much alike in
thought and expression as to convince me that Miss Canby’s story must at some
time have been read to Helen.

As I had never read this story, or even heard of the book, I inquired of Helen if
she knew anything about the matter, and found she did not. She was utterly
unable to recall either the name of the story or the book. Careful examination
was made of the books in raised print in the library of the Perkins Institution to
learn if any extracts from this volume could be found there; but nothing was
discovered. I then concluded that the story must have been read to her a long
time ago, as her memory usually retains with great distinctness facts and
impressions which have been committed to its keeping.

After making careful inquiry, I succeeded in obtaining the information that our
friend, Mrs. S. C. Hopkins, had a copy of this book in 1888 which was presented
to her little daughter in 1873 or 1874. Helen and I spent the summer of 1888
with Mrs.

Hopkins at her home in Brewster, Mass., where she kindly relieved me a part of
the time, of the care of Helen. She amused and entertained Helen by reading to