HIGH—SCHOOLANDCOLLEGEDAYS
　　TheendoftheCivilWarbroughtfreedomtome，too。Whenpeacewasdeclaredmyfatherandbrothersreturnedtotheclaiminthewildernesswhichwewomenofthefamilyhadlaboredsodes—
　　peratelytoholdwhiletheyweregone。Tous，astoothers，thefinalyearsofthewarhadbroughtmanychanges。MysisterEleanor’splacewasempty。
　　Mary，asIhavesaid，hadmarriedandgonetoliveinBigRapids，andmymotherandIwerealonewithmybrotherHarry，nowaboyoffourteen。Afterthereturnofourmenitwasnolongernecessarytode—
　　voteeverypennyofmyearningstothemaintenanceofourhome。ForthefirsttimeIcouldbegintosaveaportionofmyincometowardthefulfilmentofmycollegedream，butevenyettherewasalong，aridstretchaheadofmebeforethecollegedoorscameevendistantlyintosight。
　　ThelargestsalaryIcouldearnbyteachinginourNorthernwoodswasonehundredandfifty—sixdollarsayear，fortwotermsofthirteenweekseach；andfromthis，ofcourse，Ihadtodeductthecostofmyboardandclothing——thesoleexpenditureIallowedmyself。Thedollarsforaneducationaccumulatedvery，veryslowly，untilatlast，indesperation，wearyofseeingtheyearsofmyyouthrushpast，bearingmyhopeswiththem，Itookasuddenandradicalstep。Igaveupteaching，leftourcabininthewoods，andwenttoBigRapidstolivewithmysisterMary，whohadmarriedasuccessfulmanandwhogenerouslyofferedmeahome。There，Ihadde—
　　cided，Iwouldlearnatradeofsomekind，ofanykind；itdidnotgreatlymatterwhatitwas。Thesoleessentialwasthatitshouldbeamoney—makingtrade，offeringwageswhichwouldmakeitpossibletoaddmorerapidlytomysavings。Inthosedays，almostfiftyyearsago，andinasmallpioneertown，thefieldsopentowomenwerefewandunfruitful。
　　Theneedleatoncepresenteditself，butatfirstI
　　turnedwithloathingfromit。Iwouldhavepre—
　　ferredthediggingofditchesortheshovelingofcoal；
　　buttheneedlealonepersistentlypointedoutmyway，andIwasfinallyforcedtotakeit。
　　Fate，however，asifwearyatlastofseeingmebetweenherpaws，suddenlyletmeescape。BeforeIhadbeenworkingamonthatmyuncongenialtradeBigRapidswasfavoredbyavisitfromaUniversalistwomanminister，theReverendMariannaThompson，whocametheretopreach。Herser—
　　monwasdeliveredonSundaymorning，andIwas，I
　　think，almosttheearliestarrivalofthegreatcon—
　　gregationwhichfilledthechurch。Itwasawonder—
　　fulmomentwhenIsawmyfirstwomanministerenterherpulpit；andasIlistenedtohersermon，thrilledtothesoul，allmyearlyaspirationstobe—
　　comeaministermyselfstirredinmewithcumulativeforce。AftertheservicesIhungforatimeonthefringeofthegroupthatsurroundedher，andatlast，whenshewasaloneandabouttoleave，Ifoundcouragetointroducemyselfandpourforththetaleofmyambition。Heradvicewasaspromptasifshehadstudiedmyproblemforyears。
　　``Mychild，’’shesaid，``giveupyourfoolishideaoflearningatrade，andgotoschool。Youcan’tdoanythinguntilyouhaveaneducation。Getit，andgetitNOW。’’
　　Hersuggestionwasmuchtomyliking，andIpaidherthecomplimentofactingonitpromptly，forthenextmorningIenteredtheBigRapidsHighSchool，whichwasalsoapreparatoryschoolforcol—
　　lege。ThereIwouldstudy，Idetermined，aslongasmymoneyheldout，andwiththeoptimismofyouthIsucceededinconfiningmyimaginationtothissideofthatcrisis。Myhome，thankstoMary，wasassured；thewardrobeIhadbroughtfromthewoodscoveredmesufficiently；toonewhohadwalkedfiveandsixmilesadayforyears，walkingtoschoolheldnodiscomfort；andasforpleasure，Ifoundit，likeaheroineoffiction，inmystudies。
　　Forthefirsttimelifewassmilingatme，andwithallmyyoungheartIsmiledback。
　　ThepreceptressofthehighschoolwasLucyFoot，acollegegraduateandaremarkablewoman。
　　Ihadheardmuchofhersympathyandunderstand—
　　ing；andontheeveningfollowingmyfirstdayinschoolIwenttoherandrepeatedtheconfidencesIhadreposedintheReverendMariannaThompson。
　　Mytrustinherwasjustified。Shetookanimmedi—
　　ateinterestinme，andproveditatoncebyputtingmeintothespeakinganddebatingclasses，whereI
　　wasgiveneveryopportunitytoholdforthtohelp—
　　lessclassmateswhenthespiritofeloquencemovedme。
　　AsanaidtopublicspeakingIwastaughtto``elo—
　　cute，’’andIrememberineverymournfuldetailtheoccasiononwhichIgavemyfirstrecitation。
　　Wewerehavingourmonthly``publicexhibitionnight，’’andtheaudienceincludednotonlymyclass—
　　mates，buttheirparentsandfriendsaswell。TheselectionIintendedtorecitewasapoementitled``NoSectsinHeaven，’’butwhenIfacedmyau—
　　dienceIwassoappalledbyitssizeandbythesud—
　　denrealizationofmyowntemeritythatIfaintedduringthedeliveryofthefirstverse。Sympatheticclassmatescarriedmeintoananteroomandrevivedme，afterwhichtheynaturallyassumedthattheentertainmentIfurnishedwasoverfortheevening。
　　I，however，feltthatifIletthatfailurestandagainstmeIcouldneverafterwardspeakinpublic；andwithintenminutes，notwithstandingtheprotestsofmyfriends，Iwasbackinthehallandbeginningmyrecitationasecondtime。Theaudiencegavemeitseagerattention。Possiblyithopedtoseemetoppleofftheplatformagain，butnothingofthesortoccurred。Iwentthroughtherecitationwithself—possessionandreceivedsomefriendlyapplauseattheend。Strangelyenough，thosefirstsensationsof``stagefright’’havebeenexperienced，inalesserde—
　　gree，inconnectionwitheachofthethousandsofpublicspeechesIhavemadesincethattime。I
　　haveneveragaingonesofarastofaintinthepresenceofanaudience；butIhaveinvariablywalkedoutontheplatformfeelingthesinkingsen—
　　sationatthepitofthestomach，theweaknessoftheknees，thatIfeltinthehourofmydebut。Now，however，thenervousnesspassesafteramomentortwo。
　　FromthatnightMissFootlostnoopportunityofputtingmeintotheforegroundofourschoolaffairs。
　　Itookpartinallourdebates，recitedyardsofpoe—
　　trytoanyaudiencewecouldattract，andevenshonemildlyinouramateurtheatricals。ItwasprobablyowingtoallthisactivitythatIattractedthein—
　　terestofthepresidingelderofourdistrict——Dr。
　　Peck，amanofprogressiveideas。TherewasatthattimeamovementonfoottolicensewomentopreachintheMethodistChurch，andDr。PeckwasambitioustobethefirstpresidingeldertohaveawomanordainedfortheMethodistministry。HehadurgedMissFoottobethispioneer，butherambitionsdidnotturninthatdirection。ThoughshewasaverydevoutMethodist，shehadnowishtobetheshepherdofareligiousflock。Shelovedherschool—work，andaskednothingbetterthantoremaininit。GentlybutpersistentlyshedirectedtheattentionofDr。Pecktome，andimmediatelythingsbegantohappen。
　　Withouttellingmetowhatitmightlead，MissFootfinallyarrangedameetingatherhomebyin—
　　vitingDr。Peckandmetodinner。Beinguncon—
　　sciousofanysignificanceintheoccasion，Ichattedlight—heartedlyaboutthelargeissuesoflifeandprobablysettledmostofthemtomypersonalsatis—
　　faction。Dr。Peckdrewmeoutandledmeon，listenedandsmiled。Whentheeveningwasoverandwerosetogo，heturnedtomewithsuddenseriousness：
　　``MyquarterlymeetingwillbeheldatAshton，’’
　　heremarked，casually。``Iwouldlikeyoutopreachthequarterlysermon。’’
　　Foramomenttheearthseemedtoslipawayfrommyfeet。Istaredathiminutterstupefaction。
　　ThenslowlyIrealizedthat，incredibleasitseemed，themanwasinearnest。
　　``Why，’’Istammered，``_I_can’tpreachaser—
　　mon！’’
　　Dr。Pecksmiledatme。``Haveyouevertried？’’
　　heasked。
　　IstartedtoassurehimvehementlythatIneverhad。Then，asifTimehadthrownapictureonascreenbeforeme，Isawmyselfasalittlegirlpreach—
　　ingaloneintheforest，asIhadsooftenpreachedtoacongregationoflisteningtrees。Iqualifiedmyanswer。
　　``Never，’’Isaid，``tohumanbeings。’’
　　Dr。Pecksmiledagain。``Well，’’hetoldme，``thedoorisopen。Enterornot，asyouwish。’’
　　Heleftthehouse，butIremainedtodiscusshisoverwhelmingpropositionwithMissFoot。Asud—
　　densoberingthoughthadcometome。
　　``But，’’Iexclaimed，``I’veneverbeenconverted。
　　HowcanIpreachtoanyone？’’
　　Webothhadtheold—timeideaofconversion，whichnowseemssomistaken。WethoughtonehadtostrugglewithsinandwiththeLorduntilatlasttheheartopened，doubtsweredispersed，andthelightpouredin。MissFootcouldonlyadvisemetoputthematterbeforetheLord，towrestleandtopray；andthereafter，forhoursatatime，sheworkedandprayedwithme，alternatelyurging，pleading，instructing，andsendinguppetitionsinmybehalf。
　　Ourlastsessionwasadramaticone，whichtookuptheentirenight。Longbeforeitwasoverwewerebothwornout；buttowardmorning，eitherfromexhaustionofbodyorexaltationofsoul，Iseemedtoseethelight，anditmademeveryhappy。WithallmyheartIwantedtopreach，andIbelievedthatnowatlastIhadmycall。ThefollowingdaywesentwordtoDr。PeckthatIwouldpreachtheser—
　　monatAshtonashehadasked，butweurgedhimtosaynothingofthematterforthepresent，andMissFootandIalsokeptthesecretlockedinourbreasts。
　　Iknewonlytoowellwhatviewmyfamilyandmyfriendswouldtakeofsuchastepandofme。Tothemitwouldmeannothingshortofpersonaldis—
　　graceandablottedpageintheShawrecord。
　　Ihadsixweeksinwhichtopreparemysermon，andIgaveitmostofmywakinghoursaswellasthoseinwhichIshouldhavebeenasleep。Itookformytext：``AndasMoseslifteduptheserpentinthewilderness，evensomusttheSonofManbeliftedup；thatwhosoeverbelievethinHimshouldnotperish，buthaveeternallife。’’
　　ItwasnotuntilthreedaysbeforeIpreachedthesermonthatIfoundcouragetoconfidemypurposetomysisterMary，andifIhadconfessedmyinten—
　　tiontocommitacapitalcrimeshecouldnothavebeenmoredisturbed。Wetwohadalwaysbeenveryclose，andthedeathofEleanor，towhomwewerebothdevoted，haddrawnusevennearertoeachother。NowMary’stearsandprayerswrungmyheartandshookmyresolution。But，afterall，shewasaskingmetogiveupmywholefuture，toclosemyearstomycall，andIfeltthatIcouldnotdoit。Mydecisioncausedanestrangementbetweenuswhichlastedforyears。OnthedayprecedingthedeliveryofmysermonIleftforAshtonontheafternoontrain；andinthesamecar，butasfarawayfrommeasshecouldget，Marysataloneandweptthroughoutthejourney。Shewasgoingtomymother，butshedidnotspeaktome；andI，formypart，facingbothalienationfromherandtheordealbeforeme，foundmyonecomfortinLucyFoot’spresenceandunderstandingsympathy。
　　TherewasnochurchinAshton，soIpreachedmysermoninitsonelittleschool—house，whichwasfilledwithacuriouscrowd，eagertolookatandhearthegirlwhowasdefyingallconventionsbygettingoutofthepewandintothepulpit。TherewasmuchwhisperingandsuppressedexcitementbeforeIbegan，butwhenIgaveoutmytextsilencefellupontheroom，andfromthatmomentuntilIhadfinishedmyhearerslistenedquietly。Akerosene—
　　lampstoodonastandatmyelbow，andasIpreachedItrembledsoviolentlythattheoilshookinitsglassglobe；butIfinishedwithoutbreakingdown，andattheendDr。Peck，whohadhisownreasonsfornervousness，handsomelyassuredmethatmyfirstsermonwasbetterthanhismaidenefforthadbeen。
　　Itwasevidentlynotafailure，forthenextdayheinvitedmetofollowhimaroundinhiscircuit，whichincludedthirty—sixappointments；hewishedmetopreachineachofthethirty—sixplaces，asitwasde—
　　sirabletoletthevariousministershearandknowmebeforeIappliedformylicenseasalocalpreacher。
　　Thesermonalsohadanotherresult，lessgratify—
　　ing。Itbroughtout，onthefollowingmorning，thefirstnoticeofmeeverprintedinanewspaper。
　　Thiswasinstigatedbymybrother—in—law，anditwasbriefbutpointed。Itread：
　　AyounggirlnamedAnnaShaw，seventeenyearsold，[1]
　　preachedatAshtonyesterday。Herrealfriendsdeprecatethecoursesheispursuing。
　　[1]Amisstatementbythebrother—in—law。Dr。Shawwasatthistimetwenty—threeyearsold。——E。J。
　　Thelittlenoticehadsomethingoftheeffectofalightedmatchappliedtogunpowder。Anex—
　　plosionofpublicsentimentfollowedit，theentirecommunityaroseinconsternation，andIbecameaboneofcontentionoverwhichfriendsandstrangersalikewrangleduntiltheyworethemselvesout。
　　Themembersofmyfamily，meetinginsolemncouncil，sentforme，andIresponded。Theyhadapropositiontomake，andtheylostnotimeinput—
　　tingitbeforeme。IfIgaveupmypreachingtheywouldsendmetocollegeandpayformyentirecourse。TheysuggestedAnnArbor，andAnnArbortemptedmesorely；buttodescendfromthepulpitIhadatlastentered——thepulpitIhadvisualizedinallmychildishdreams——wasnottobeconsidered。
　　Wehadalongeveningtogether，anditwasaveryunhappyone。AttheendofitIwasgiventwenty—
　　fourhoursinwhichtodecidewhetherIwouldchoosemypeopleandcollege，ormypulpitandthearcticlonelinessofalifethatheldnofamily—circle。Itdidnotrequiretwenty—fourhoursofreflectiontoconvincemethatImustgomysolitaryway。
　　ThatyearIpreachedthirty—sixtimes，ateachofthepresidingelder’sappointments；andthefollow—
　　ingspring，attheannualMethodistConferenceofourdistrict，heldatBigRapids，mynamewaspre—
　　sentedtotheassembledministersasthatofacan—
　　didateforalicensetopreach。Therewasunusualinterestintheresult，andmyfatherwasamongthosewhocametotheConferencetoseethevotetaken。
　　DuringtheseConferencesaministervotedaffirma—
　　tivelyonaquestionbyholdinguphishand，andnegativelybyfailingtodoso。Whenthequestionofmylicensecameupthemajorityoftheministersvotedbyraisingbothhands，andinthepleasantexcitementwhichfollowedmyfatherslippedaway。
　　Thosewhosawhimtoldmehelookedpleased；buthesentmenomessageshowingachangeofview—
　　point，andthegulfbetweenthefamilyanditsblacksheepremainedunbridged。ThoughthewarmthofMary’sloveformehadbecomeamemory，thewarmthofherhearthstonewasstillofferedme。I
　　acceptedit，perforce，andwelivedtogetherlikeshadowsofwhatwehadbeen。TwofriendsaloneofallIhadmadestoodbymewithoutqualification——MissFootandClaraOsborn，thelattermy``chum’’atBigRapidsandadwellerinmyhearttothisday。
　　Inthemeantimemypreachinghadnotinter—
　　feredwithmystudies。Iwasworkingdayandnight，butlifewasverydifficult；foramongmyschool—
　　mates，too，thereweredoubtsandmuchhead—shakingoverthischoiceofacareer。Ineededthesoundoffriendlyvoices，forIwasverylonely；andsuddenly，whenthepressurefromallsideswasstrongestandIwasgoingdownphysicallyunderit，avoicewasraisedthatIhadneverdaredtodreamwouldspeakforme。MaryA。LivermorecametoBigRapids，andasshewasthenattheheightofhercareer，theentirecountrysidepouredintohearher。FarbackinthecrowdedhallIsataloneandlistenedtoher，thrilledbythelectureandtremulouswiththehopeofmeetingthelecturer。WhenshehadfinishedspeakingIjoinedthethrongthatsurgedforwardfromthebodyofthehall，andasIreachedherandfeltthegraspofherfriendlyhandIhadasuddenconvictionthatthemeetingwasanepochinmylife。
　　Iwasright。SomeoneinthecirclearoundustoldherthatIwantedtopreach，andthatIwasmeetingtremendousopposition。Shewasinterestedatonce。
　　Shelookedatmewithquickeningsympathy，andthen，suddenlyputtinganarmaroundme，drewmeclosetoherside。
　　``Mydear，’’shesaid，quietly，``ifyouwanttopreach，goonandpreach。Don’tletanybodystopyou。Nomatterwhatpeoplesay，don’tletthemstopyou！’’
　　ForamomentIwastooovercometoanswerher。
　　Thesewerealmostmyfirstencouragingwords，andthemorningstarssingingtogethercouldnothavemadesweetermusicformyears。BeforeIcouldrecoverawomanwithinhearingspokeup。
　　``Oh，Mrs。Livermore，’’sheexclaimed，``don’tsaythattoher！We’realltryingtostopher。Herpeo—
　　plearewretchedoverthewholething。Anddon’tyouseehowillsheis？Shehasonefootinthegraveandtheotheralmostthere！’’
　　Mrs。Livermoreturneduponmealonganddeeplythoughtfullook。``Yes，’’shesaidatlast，``Iseeshehas。Butitisbetterthatsheshoulddiedoingthethingshewantstodothanthatsheshoulddiebecauseshecan’tdoit。’’
　　Herwordswereatonicwhichrestoredmyvoice。
　　``SotheythinkI’mgoingtodie！’’Icried。``Well，I’mnot！I’mgoingtoliveandpreach！’’
　　IhavealwaysfeltsincethenthatwithouttheinspirationofMrs。Livermore’sencouragementI
　　mightnothavecontinuedmyfight。Hersanctionwasashield，however，fromwhichthecriticismsoftheworldfellback。Fate’smorefriendlyinterestinmyaffairsthatyearwasshownbythefactthatshesentMrs。LivermoreintomylifebeforeIhadmetAnnaDickinson。MissDickinsoncametoustowardspringandlecturedonJoanofArc。NeverbeforeorsincehaveIbeenmoredeeplymovedbyaspeaker。WhenshehadfinishedheraddressImademyhappywaytothefrontofthehallwiththeotherswhowishedtomeetthedistinguishedguest。Itwasourlocalmanagerwhointroducedme，andhesaid，``ThisisourAnnaShaw。Sheisgoingtobealecturer，too。’’
　　IlookedupatthebrilliantMissDickinsonwiththetrustfulnessofyouthinmyeyes。Iremem—
　　beredMrs。LivermoreandIthoughtallgreatwom—
　　enwerelikeher，butIwasnowtoexperienceabitterdisillusionment。MissDickinsonbarelytouchedthetipsofmyfingersasshelookedindifferentlypastthesideofmyface。``Ah，’’shesaid，icily，andturnedaway。InlateryearsIlearnedhowimpossibleitisforapublicspeakertoleaveagraciousimpressiononeverylifethatforamomenttouchesherown；butIhaveneverceasedtobethankfulthatImetMrs。LivermorebeforeImetMissDickinsonatthecrisisinmycareer。
　　Intheautumnof1873IenteredAlbionCollege，inAlbion，Michigan。Iwastwenty—fiveyearsofage，butIlookedmuchyounger——probablynotmorethaneighteentothecasualglance。ThoughIhadmadeeveryefforttosavemoney，Ihadnotbeensuccessful，formyexpensesconstantlyoutranmylittleincome，andmypositionaspreachermadeitnecessaryformetohaveasuitablewardrobe。
　　WhenthetimecametoentercollegeIhadexactlyeighteendollarsintheworld，andIstartedforAlbionwiththisamountinmypurseandwithouttheslightestnotionofhowIwastoaddtoit。Themoneyproblemsopresseduponme，infact，thatwhenIreachedmydestinationatmidnightanddis—
　　coveredthatitwouldcostfiftycentstoridefromthestationtothecollege，Isavedthatamountbywalkingtheentiredistanceontherailroadtracks，whilemyimaginationbusieditselfpleasantlywithpicturesoftheenginethatmightbethunderinguponmeintherear。IhadchosenAlbionbecauseMissFoothadbeeneducatedthere，andIwasencouragedbyanincidentthathappenedthemorningaftermyarrival。Iwasonthecampus，walkingtowardthemainbuilding，whenIsawabigcopperpennylyingontheground，and，onpickingitup，Idiscoveredthatitboretheyearofmybirth。Thatseemedagoodomen，anditwasemphaticallyunderlinedbythefindingoftwoexactlysimilarpennieswithinaweek。ThoughtherehavebeendayssincethenwhenIwassorelytemptedtospendthem，Ihavethosethreepenniesstill，andIconfesstoacertaincomfortintheirpossession！
　　AsIhadnotcompletedmyhigh—schoolcourse，myfirstdaysatAlbionwerespentinstrenuousprep—
　　arationfortheentranceexaminations；andonemorn—
　　ing，asIwascrossingthecampuswithaHistoryoftheUnitedStatestuckedcoylyundermyarm，Imetthepresidentofthecollege，Dr。Josclyn。Hestoppedforawordofgreeting，duringwhichIbe—
　　trayedthefactthatIhadneverstudiedUnitedStateshistory。Dr。Josclynatonceinvitedmeintohisofficewith，Iamquitesure，thepurposeofex—
　　plainingaskindlyashecouldthatmypreparationforcollegewasinsufficient。Asanopeningtothesubjecthebegantotalkofhistory，andwetalkedandtalkedon，whileunheededhourswerebornanddied。WediscussedthehistoryoftheUnitedStates，thegovernmentsoftheworld，thecauseswhichledtotheinfluenceofonenationonanother，thephilo—
　　sophicalbasisofthedifferentnationalmovementswestward，andthelike。ItwasthelongestandbyfarthemostinterestingtalkIhaveeverhadwithahighlyeducatedman，andduringitIcouldactuallyfeelmybrainexpand。WhenIrosetogoPresidentJosclynstoppedme。
　　``Ihavesomethingtogiveyou，’’hesaid，andhewroteafewwordsonaslipofpaperandhandedthesliptome。When，onreachingthedormitory，Iopenedit，Ifoundthatthepresidenthadpassedmeinthehistoryoftheentirecollegecourse！This，moreover，wasnottheonlypleasantresultofourinterview，forwithinafewweeksPresidentandMrs。
　　Josclyn，whosedaughterhadrecentlydied，invitedmetoboardwiththem，andImademyhomewiththemduringmyfirstyearatAlbion。
　　MytriumphinhistorywasfollowedbytheswiftandchasteningdiscoverythatIwasbehindmyas—
　　sociatesinseveralotherbranches。Owingtomyfather’searlyhelp，Iwaswellupinmathematics，butIhadmuchtolearnofphilosophyandthelanguages，andtotheseIdevotedmanymidnightcandles。
　　Naturally，Isoonplungedintospeaking，andmyfirstpublicspeechatcollegewasadefenseofXan—
　　tippe。Ihavealwaysfeltthatthepoorladywasgreatlyabused，andthatSocratesdeservedallhereceivedfromher，andmore。Iwasgladtoputmyselfonrecordasherchampion，andmyfellow—
　　studentsmustsoonhavefeltthatmyadmirationforXantippewasbasedonsimilaritiesoftempera—
　　ment，forwithinafewmonthsIwasleadingthefirstcollegerevoltagainsttheauthorityofthemenstudents。
　　Albionwasacoeducationalinstitution，andthebrightestjewelsinitscrownwereitsthreeliterarysocieties——thefirstcomposedofmenalone，thesec—
　　ondofwomenalone，andthethirdofmenandwomentogether。Eachofthesocietiesmadefriend—
　　lyadvancestonewstudents，andforsometimeI
　　hesitatedonthebrinkofthenewjoystheyoffered，uncertainwhichtochoose。Arepresentativeofthemixedsociety，whowasputtingitsclaimsbeforeme，unconsciouslyhelpedmetomakeupmymind。
　　``Women，’’hepompouslyassuredme，``needtobeassociatedwithmen，becausetheydon’tknowhowtomanagemeetings。’’
　　Ontheinstanttheneedleofdecisionswungaroundtothewomen’ssocietyandremainedthere，fixed。
　　``Iftheydon’t，’’Itoldthepompousyoungman，``it’shightimetheylearned。Ishalljointhewomen，andwe’llmastertheart。’’
　　Ididjointhewomen’ssociety，andIhadnotbeenamemberverylongbeforeIdiscoveredthatwhentherewasanadvantageofanykindtobesecuredthemeninvariablygotit。WhileIwasbroodingsomberlyuponthiswronganopportunitycametomakeaformalandeffectiveprotestagainstthemen’shigh—handedmethods。TheQuinquennialre—
　　unionofallthesocietieswasabouttobeheld，andthespecialfeatureofthisfestivitywasalwaysanoration。Thesimplemethodofselectingtheoratorwhichhadformerlyprevailedhadbeenfortheyoungmentodecideuponthespeakerandthenan—
　　nouncehisnametothewomen，whohumblycon—
　　firmedit。Onthisoccasion，however，whenthenamecameintous，Isentamessagetoourbrothersocietytotheeffectthatwe，too，intendedtomakeanominationandtosendinaname。
　　Atsuchunprecedentedbehaviortheentirestu—
　　dentbodyaroseinexcitement，which，amongthegirls，wascombinedwithequalpartsofexhilarationandawe。Themenrefusedtoconsiderournominee，andasafriendlycompromisewesuggestedthatwehaveajointmeetingofallthesocietiesandelectthespeakeratthisgathering；butthisplanalsothemenatfirstrefused，givinginonlyafterweeksofargument，duringwhichnoonehadtimeforthecalmerpleasuresofstudy。Whenthejointmeetingwasfinallyheld，nothingwasaccomplished；
　　wegirlshadonemorememberthantheboyshad，andwepromptlyre—electedourcandidate，whowasaspromptlydeclinedbytheboys。Twoofourgirlswereengagedtotwooftheboys，anditwassecretlyplannedbyourbrothersocietythatduringasecondjointmeetingthesetwomenshouldtakethegirlsoutforadriveandthenslipbacktovote，leavingthegirlsatsomepointsufficientlyremotefromcol—
　　lege。Wediscoveredtheplot，however，intimetothwartit，andatlast，whennothingbuttheun—