By having me each day lie on the floor on my back without a pillow, and gentle use of dumb-bells, mother straightened my spine and developed my chest--my clothes being carefully adapted to its expansion.

Dancing was strictly forbidden by our church, but mother was educated in Ireland and danced beautifully.

She had a class of girls and taught us, and with plenty of fresh air, milk and eggs, effectually disposed of hereditary consumption in her family.

But while attending to us, she must also make a living, so she bought a stock of goods on credit, opened a store, and soon had a paying business.

In this I was her special assistant.