Middletown transcript., 1894-12-22
Nl2R~U1IIll-

,.srssssss with their con
/ sEl centr ated eff
<A-1-H ing in her an ap
probation of the benefits of unity o.
purpose. By this me ans she hopes
to sweep away all forms of corruption
and aid in introducing radical re-
forms.
The world applauds her inthis lau6
! able ambition-when she succeeds
and yet all the while it suspects thai
this sort of training is robbing her Of
many of the graces of sex and that in
all probability, the domestic machin
ary, for which she personally is re-
sponsible,is going at skies and sevens
its whole atmosphere lacking the
breath of home Somehow, true wo
manliness and reforms have not YET
become synonymous in mems minds
and hence it is particularly surpris
ing to learn that Mrs. Elizabeth B.
Grannis, prominent worker along
the pathways of reform, is, in her
private life, the gentlest and sweetest
of women.
Seated in her comfortable stud y
the real living room of the family
before little old fashioned desk
heaped high with newspapers, letters
and documents of all description, Mrs
Grannis suggests all the refinement
Of the New England woman of the
long ago, with the added charm of
nineteenth century experiences
Her gown, simple, yet not severe;
the charming coquetry of her wavy
hair, the infectious merriment of her
gay, soft laugh; the clearness of her
gentle eyes, never indicate the bold
innovations seethingin her brain for
utterance.
Flowers, books and pictures make
up the atm mosphere of this den given
over to social purity reform, Munich
pal League affairs and Church Union
editorial work, both religious.
When Mrs. Grannis was asked how
she had been able to preserve all the
softer side of her nature and yet
merge herself into so much public
life, she answ cred that the healthful
influence of a New England home,
the close comradship of a most COM
panionable father and the judicious
severity of puritan mother were
largely responsible.
She declares that the religious bent
of her early training has kept her
heart ever young, and has made her
optimistic and interested in every
phase of human life-a fact which
none could doubt after half hours
chot with her
"Were it not for those early influ-
ences," said Mrs. Grannis, ''the enor-
nous energy for work in me found
its vent in less useful pursuits than
those in which l have been engaged.
Il fancy / must always have been
ambitious" she continued, reflec-
lively, "for was teacher in the mis-
sion class in Hartford when I was but
eleven years of age, and SO zealously
did I work with those poor little
children"-and her face beamed as
she spoke-"that my class was con-
sidered the best in the school.
81 made tour of the worst streets
in Hartford every Saturday seeking
recruits, and more than one friend of
the family prophesied my early
death from measels, scarlet fever or
diphtheria.
"But soon another life was to open
for me, for next year we went to live
in Ohio, out near the Western Re
serve.
"Those were jolly days when went
to the academy at ORWELL she laugh
ingly said, "when we not only worked
with zest but played as well. The
tramps in the woods on botanizing
expeditions, the delightful strolls
along the creek, how they all come
back to me now!" and unconsciously
the little women put out her hand
and stroked pot of primroses that
stood at her elbow, and her fifty-four
years of life seemed to vanish and
she was a girl again in that Ohio
town
Recalling herself quickly she told
her trials in preparing herself to be-
come teacher, and how, though she
could pass the necessary exami-
nation orally, she found that orthc-
graphy blocked her way.
However / secured my license
when | was eighteen, she said land
not withstanding nay family's cpposi-
tion-for they considered me too trail
to teach-I was appointed summer
instructress in district school, three
miles from Mentor There I met
young James A. Garfield, and many
time listened to his delightful preach
ing in the village church.
7 finished my education at the