The Harris-Ingram Experiment

d James Ingram had built for their families, when they began in a modest way to manufacture steel. As Reuben Harris grew rich

ously to their old habits and customs which they carry across seas and over mountains. Generations must elapse before it will be safe to predict what the national type of an American citizen will be. One discovers on the British Isles the mixture of centurie

erica, ill-treatment made him miss golden opportunities. Except good qualities are inbred, it is almost as impossible for a pe

in war and in peace. James Ingram's father had erred in judgment, and a large estate, partially inherited, had been

mination, 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 be

hters were teaching in the public schools; May Ingram taught music. Two of his sons worked in the mills, one as chemist

problem which, if solved, would revolutionize many things. Twice they thought they were on the eve

ected by all the employees. When a boy, George worked nights, Saturdays, and during his vacations in the mills, and

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, b

Lucille was easily persuaded to attend a young ladies' seminary, where ?sthetic accomplishments were emphasized and

smile or bow to retain an old friend or to win a new one. She spent very little time thinking about her own needs, preferring to take flowers or fruit, even when given

n the banks of Lake Waban to enjoy the "Float." Gaily uniformed crews in their college flotilla formed a star-shaped group near the shore for their annual concert. Chinese lanter

he daily forty-five minutes of domestic work then required, did not agree with her nature, and after a few week

read of a prominent benefactor who believed that woman had the same right as man to intellectual culture and development, and who in 1861 had fou

ked Vassar's sensible way of hazing, a cordial reception being given to freshmen by the sophomores. She was glad to b

e better pleased if Vassar had less Greek and more boys. She could not understand why co-education at the high schoo

hology, the science of mind, which teaches the intimate relation of mental phenomena to the physical organism. German was an elective study with Gertrude, which she had

little for music, though she was extremely fond of poetry and now and then contributed verses for publication. Her essay on architectu

ck, with three exceptions a month, to exercise in the gymnasium three hours a week, and to take at least one hour of outdoor exercise daily. Regul

d skating on the lake, bicycling, or five-mile tramps, studying birds, photographing scenery, or gathering wild fl

wo cups of sugar, milk, two rolls of butter melted with chocolate in a copper kettle over a gas stove. The fused compound is poured into paper plates and cut into tiny squares. So eager is the Vassar girl for

winds through western Massachusetts. To educate a whole family of boys and girls at the "dear old alma mater" is now an exploded fancy. A better plan is to edu

roy. Suddenly financial troubles made it impossible for him longer to assist his son. Mrs. Harris, very likely by Gertrude's su

ack to Albany, while the mother continued the journey leaving Gertrude at Smith College, Northampton, and Lucille at Boston. Mrs. Harris was justly pr

ore to any one. They were on Saranac Lake and the moon seemed to change the water to silver. Their birch canoe drifted along the shore and George, dropping his oars, reversed his seat and

nowledge of the value of time. Early he had learned that knowledge is power and that intellect and wealth rule the world. He told Gertrude that she h

lways your frie

captured his heart. Her sympathy, her unselfishness, and her words

m graduate. It was a pity that his own father and mother, who had sacrificed so much for him, could not attend. How

ot divine, neither could he free himself from it. Fortunate person whose sails are filled with bre

geology. The institute is within easy access of engineering works and manufacturing plants of great diversity, which afforded young Ingram opportunities for valuable investigation and observation. His

y townspeople, who were fond of him. Life in Troy had been a constant inspiration, for he was in touch with young men from cultivated famili

e he had so often studied far into the night. He took another look into the bedroom, into the little store-room, and pleasant memories crowded his mind, as for the last time he gazed from the window towards the Berkshire Hills, beyond

t was heavy. No road opened before him except the one that led back to the dingy old Harrisville mills. In the last three years his sky had lifted a little, but the intelligence

mate. The envelope bore the printed address of the Harrisville Iron & Steel Co. George, thinking the letter was

said Gertrude, as she wi

yourself. A friend at c

y congratulated George. "Of course, you wi

osition of chemist now offered by the steel company. Later, Gertrude, we can talk this matt

isville Iron & Steel Co. Two weeks' initiation by the old chemist, whose health was fai