Gertrude and George were strong and helpful, both educated, unselfish and ambitious; why should they not succeed?  Gertrude had learned that good and great people are also sometimes selfish.  When a little girl, she was present with her father who was invited to take dinner with a distinguished divine.  The good doctor of divinity did the carving, and adroitly managed to keep for his own plate the tenderest piece of steak.  Colonel Harris observed the fact, and enjoying a joke, casually observed, “Doctor, how well you carve!” The good man saw his breach of hospitality and blushed, remarking, “Colonel, you must forgive me for I believe I was born with a delicate stomach.”

Business cares were locked up in the office desk down town, and Gertrude forgot home annoyances as soon as George was seen coming up the lawn, and she and the twins ran to meet “papa.”  He always brought home the latest literary and scientific magazines and journals, while the reviews of America and London kept the family up-to-date on the latest books and leading topics.  George’s vacations were sometimes taken with his own employees, all of whom in the heated months, had two weeks off, some camping along the shores of the lake, others taking boat excursions to neighboring groves, or enjoying the outdoor band concerts which were furnished every other evening on the public park.

What concerned his employees, concerned him.  When any of his workmen were injured or sick, the company at once sent a surgeon or physician.  Rightly, he thought it more important that an employee should be kept in good working order than even his best piece of machinery.

George Ingram was once heard to say that eleven letters covered a large part of his religion, and that he wished he could write across the blue dome in letters of gold the word “Helpfulness.”  To assist an unfortunate individual permanently to help himself, is preaching a gospel that betters the world.

The community of Harris-Ingram had little or no poverty.  Everybody had money in the savings bank, or accumulations going into pretty homes, and mill stock, and all respected law and order, hence few if any policemen were ever seen on the streets.  Everybody was well dressed, courteous, and daily growing more intelligent.  Taxes were light, and general improvements were economically and promptly made.

Both George and Gertrude believed that the tendency of the age was towards more practical education for the people.  London publishes millions of penny books, penny histories and biographies, penny arithmetics, astronomies and dictionaries, and penny books to teach good behavior, honor, and patriotism.  In London and elsewhere, the people were organizing workmen’s clubs, colleges, and institute unions, for mutual improvement, and glimpses were already caught of Morris’s “Earthly Paradise that is to be.”