because she had not money but went boldly forward, trusting to collections and contributions to pay expenses.  Sometimes she came out even, sometimes behind.  In the latter case she sent at once to her father who supplied the necessary funds, which were repaid when there was a surplus.  Had she waited to have the money in hand, had she feared to take the chances, her work never would have been done; and unless some one else had been developed who could and would assume the risk and manage the business part of the State campaigns, the progress of woman, slow as it has been, would have been still longer delayed.  The one ruling characteristic of her life ever has been courage, moral and physical.  There never have been hardships which she feared to endure, never scorn, ridicule or abuse which she did not dare face.  While she might have risen to a high position and commanded a large salary as teacher, or have lived at home in restful comfort, she voluntarily chose the hardest field of work the world offered, one shadowed with obloquy, holding out no prospect of money or fame and no hope of success except through long and bitter conflict.

Soon after the Albany convention Lucy Stone wrote:  “God bless you, Susan dear, for the brave heart that will work on even in the midst of discouragement and lack of helpers.  Everywhere I am telling people what your State is doing, and it is worth a great deal to the cause.  The example of positive action is what we need....  Does not Channing deserve the blessing of all the race for his fidelity to the cause of women?  I believe he understands better than any others, unless it be Higginson and Phillips, just what we need.  Give my love and best wishes to the household of faith.”  Channing, when she wanted him to preside at a meeting, answered facetiously:  “Napoleon will not be surprised that a corporal of an awkward squad hesitates to appear in command where the general-in-chief is present.”

[Autograph: 

  Affectionately
  Lucy Stone]

It was at the close of this Albany convention that Miss Anthony decided to abandon the Bloomer costume.  The subject had been occupying her sleeping and waking hours for some time, and it was only after a long and agonizing struggle that she persuaded herself to take the step.  In order to show how very serious a question this had been with the women, it will be necessary to go into a somewhat detailed account of this first movement toward dress reform.

The costume consisted of a short skirt and a pair of Turkish trousers gathered at the ankle or hanging straight, and was made of ordinary dress materials.  It was first introduced at the various “water cures” to relieve sick and delicate women, often rendered so by their unhealthful mode of dress, and was strongly recommended in the “water cure” journals.  When women began to go into public work, they could not fail to recognize the disadvantages of the unyielding corsets, heavy, quilted and stiffly-starched