d. It was Mrs. Livermore who
suggested and planned the first fair, which netted almost one hundred
thousand dollars to the Sanitary Commission. Mrs. Hoge, had at first, no
confidence in the project, but she afterward joined it, and giving it
her earnest aid, helped to carry it to a successful conclusion. It was
indeed a giant plan, and it may be chiefly credited, from its inception
to its fortunate close, to these indefatigable and skilful workers. The
writer of this sketch was present at the convention of women of the
Northwest called to meet at Chicago, and consider the feasibility of the
project, and was forcibly impressed with the great and real power, the
concentrated moral force, contained in that meeting, and left its doors
without one doubt of the complete and ultimate success of the plan
discussed. Mrs. Livermore held there a commanding position. A brilliant
and earnest speaker, her words seemed to sway the attentive throng. Her
commanding person, added to the power of her words. Gathered upon the
platform of Bryan Hall, were Mrs. Hoge, Mrs. Colt, of Milwaukee, and
many more, perhaps less widely known, but bearing upon their faces and
in their attitudes, the impress of cultured minds, and an earnest active
resolve to do, which seemed to insure success. Mrs. Livermore, seated
below the platform, from time to time passed among the crowd, and her
suggestions whether quietly made to individuals, or given in her clear
ringing voice, and well selected language to the convention, were
everywhere received with respect and deference. As all know, this fair
which was about three months in course of preparation, was on a mammoth
scale, and was a great success, and this result was no doubt greatly
owing to the presence of that quality, which like every born leader,
Mrs. Livermore evidently possesses--that of knowing how to select
judiciously, the subordinates and instruments to be employed to carry
out the plans which have originated in her mind.

When this fair had been brought to a successful close, Mrs. Livermore
returned to the particular work of her agency. When not traveling on the
business connected with it, she spent many busy days at the rooms of the
Commission in Chicago. The history of some of those days she has
written--a history full of pathos and illuminated with scores of
examples of noble and worthy deeds--of the sacrifices of hard-worked
busy women for the soldiers--of tender self-sacrificing wives conceali