family prestige was a question he often asked himself. He
still had energy, unconquerable determination, and faith in himself.
These are some of the essential elements in a successful character; but
the fates thus far had decreed adversely. His early education was not of
the best, but by carefully devoting not less than two hours a day to good
reading, he had not only kept pace with current history, but had also
acquired a helpful knowledge of the sciences.

When his oldest son George was born, he planned to give his children the
best education possible. Two of his three daughters were teaching in the
public schools; May Ingram taught music. Two of his sons worked in the
mills, one as chemist and one as an electrician; a third son was
conductor on a passenger train, and a fourth was studying to be a
physician.

The father and his son, George, after the day's work at the mills
was over, spent much time over a problem which, if solved, would
revolutionize many things. Twice they thought they were on the eve of a
solution of the subject, but unforeseen obstacles were encountered, and
still they struggled on.

It is no wonder that the father was proud of George, now chemist of the
vast steel works, for he was manly and respected by all the employees.
When a boy, George worked nights, Saturdays, and during his vacations in
the mills, and the men came to know and love his genial ways and fair
methods, and thus he gained a good knowledge of steel-making.

His father was urgent that his son should not miss a single day in his
schooling. At length he graduated at the high school with the esteem of
his teachers and his class. During the twelve years spent in public
schools he had acquired a fine discipline of mind, a love of the
sciences, and enough of Latin and Greek to aid him in determining the
derivation and exact meaning of words. Co-education too had refined his
nature, and enabled him to estimate correctly his own abilities, but best
of all he had come to know at the high school the second daughter of
Reuben Harris, Gertrude, who graduated in his own class. During the
senior year he had frequently walked and talked with her, and came to
know somewhat of her plans.

Gertrude's parents, especially Mrs. Harris, were anxious that both their
daughters should go to private schools, and Lucille was easily persuaded
to attend a young ladies' seminary, where aesthetic accomplishments were
emphasized and considered essentials a