on the back the words, “In memory of my beloved wife.”  One other note was canceled in recognition of her perfect forgetfulness of self-interest and ready sacrifice to the needs of others.  When laboring, in 1874, to fill every engagement, in order to meet her debts, her mother’s sudden illness called her home.  Without one selfish regret, the anxious daughter hastened to Rochester.  When recovery was certain, and Miss Anthony was about to return to her fatiguing labors, her mother gave her, at parting, her note for a thousand dollars, on which was written, in trembling lines, “In just consideration of the tender sacrifice made to nurse me in severe illness.”  At last all the Revolution debt was paid, except that due to her generous sister, Mary Anthony, who used often humorously to assure her she was a fit subject for the bankrupt act.

There is something humorously pathetic in the death of the Revolution—­that firstborn of Miss Anthony.  Mrs. Laura Curtis Bullard generously assumed the care of the troublesome child, and, in order to make the adoption legal, gave the usual consideration—­one dollar.  The very night of the transfer Miss Anthony went to Rochester with the dollar in her pocket, and the little change left after purchasing her ticket.  She arrived safely with her debts, but nothing more—­her pocket had been picked!  Oh, thief, could you but know what value of faithful work you purloined!

From the close of the year 1876 Miss Anthony’s accounts showed favorable signs as to the credit column.  Indeed, at the end of five years there was a solid balance of several thousand dollars earned on lecturing tours.  But alas! the accounts grow dim again—­in fact the credit column fades away.  “The History of Woman Suffrage” ruthlessly swallowed up every vestige of Miss Anthony’s bank account.  But, in 1886, by the will of Mrs. Eddy, daughter of Francis Jackson of Boston, Miss Anthony received twenty-four thousand dollars for the Woman’s Suffrage Movement, which lifted her out of debt once more.

In vain will you search these telltale books for evidence of personal extravagance; for, although Miss Anthony thinks it true economy to buy the best, her tastes are simple.  Is there not something very touching in the fact that she never bought a book or picture for her own enjoyment?  The meager personal balance-sheets show four lapses from discipline,—­lapses that she even now regards as ruthless extravagance,—­viz.:  the purchase of two inexpensive brooches, a much needed watch, and a pair of cuffs to match a point-lace collar presented by a friend.  Those interested in Miss Anthony’s personal appearance long ago ceased to trust her with the purchase-money for any ornament; for, however firm her resolution to comply with their wish, the check invariably found its way to the credit column of those little cash-books as “money received for the cause.”  Now, reader, you have been admitted to a private view of Miss Anthony’s financial records, and you can appreciate her devotion to an idea.  Do you not agree with me that a “bread-winner” can be a conscientious reformer?