Woman's chronicle. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1888-1???, 1889-06-01
"reminiscences BY Elizabeth Cady Stanton.


From The Womans Tribune
shall never forget one incident that gave me
much unhappiness for long time. I had written
very amusing composition describing my room.
friend came in to see me ust as [ had finished
it, and as she asked me to read it to her, did So
She enjoyed it very much and proposed an ex-
change She said the rooms were all so nearly
alike that with little alteration she could use it,
Being very susceptible, her praise of my produc-
ton won a ready assent, but when | read her plat
itudes on early rising, was sorry had changed,
and still more SO in the first denouement.
Those selected to prepare compositions each time,
read them before the whole school. My friend was
received with great laughter and applause The
one read not only fell dead, but nearly Frustrated
me ALSO AS soon as | had finished, one of the
young ladies left the room and returned in a few
moments with her composition book, and laid it
before the teacher presiding that day, showing her
the same composition [ had just read. was called
up at once to explain, but was so amazed and
COMPOUNDED that could not speak, and | looked
the very personifcation of guilt. | saw at glance
the contemplate position occupied, and felt as if
the last day had come, and that stood before the
Judgment seat and had heard the awful sentence
punishment How | escaped from that scene to
my room do not know | was too wretched for
tears. | sat alone for long time when gentle
tap announced my betrayer. She put her arms
around me affectionately and kissed me again and
again.
"Oh!" she sad ''you are hero. You went
through that trying ordeal like soldier. was so
afraid when you were pressed with questions, that
the whole truth would come out and | be forced
to stand in your place. | am not as brave as you
| could not endure it. Now that you are through
with it and know how bitter trial it is, promise
that you will save me from the same experience.
You are so good and noble l know you will not be-
tray me-"
In this supreme moment of misery and disgrace,
her loving words and warm embrace were like
balm to my bruised soul, and readily promised all
she asked. The girl had penetrated the weak
point in my character. loved fattery. Through
that means she got my composition in the first
place, pledged me to silence in the second place,
and confused my moral perceptions, that | really
thought it praiseworthy to shelter her from what
had suffered. However, without any betrayal on
my part the trick came to light, through the very
means she took to make concealment sure. After
compositions were READ tney were nandeu over 10
q certain teacher for criticism. Miss - had
copied mine, and returned to me the original.
had not copied hers, so the two were in the same
handwriting-on with my own mare outside and
one with Miss IS.
As | stood well in school, both for scholarship
and behavior, my sudden fall from grace occa-
stoned no end of discussion. So as soon as the
teacher discovered the two compositions in Miss
Is writing, she came to me to enquire how
got one of Miss IS compositions. She said;
'Where is yours, that you wrote for that day."
Taking it from my portfolio, said
'There it is.
She said:
"Did you copy it from her book?'