Well, I said that I would go to school some day, and they had a fine time laughing at my high ideas and I let them laugh all that they wanted to, but I worked hard and long to get the means that I might be able to go, as I said, to some pay school, where I could not be stopped at any time.  When I was almost ready to leave for some school the smallpox took me, and I was laid aside for three or four years; that is, I was not well, and thought that my plans were all broken.  I still trusted in God, for I knew that He would do all things for me as long as I put my trust in Him.

Well, as time rolled on I found myself improving slowly and I was then living with a dear, good lady by the name of Miss L. A. Pousland, who is one of the loveliest ladies that ever lived, for she loves me to-day as a mother, though she is in eightieth odd year and is doing well for an old lady.

We were living in South Oxford street when I took sick of the smallpox and she did not want me taken away from there, as she wanted to take care of me herself, but I felt that it would be too much for her to wait on me, so the doctor said that it was only a heavy cold that I had taken and would be all right in a week or so.  But I knew that I had a fever of some kind, so I asked that I might go to my mother’s house, and she sent for the carriage and I went home.

When I had reached my mother’s I felt somewhat better, only to grow worse all the time, and my eyes getting so that I could not see when it was day or night.  I had a nurse that knew all about the disease and a good doctor that the city health doctor let take charge of the case after he had been out there to see me:  and knowing that the case was taking, that no one should get it he let me remain at home for nine days, and then I went to the hospital and was there till the symptoms were well dried.

When the doctor found out that I was able to come out he, Dr. Schenck, wrote to my lady to send a carriage out.  She did so at once and I was at my mother’s for awhile, and then my lady came to see me and told me how the woman did the people in the house, so I told her how bad my limbs were, and she said that if I could go home with her and tell her what to do, she would get on without the woman and let her go.  My mother made me ready in a little while and I was soon at the dear old home, 344 Carlton avenue.

God be praised for the way he has led me since I was three years old until this day, for it was His hand that taught me to remember all of these long years.  I have in my mind the time at the old home when they put me on the fine dressing table in front of the large mirror, while the Rev. Mr. Walker baptized me in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, according to the Methodist tests in those days, and I always thought that was to give me my Christian name; but when the Lord had spoken peace to my soul He led me to follow in his footsteps, and I gladly followed