From childhood I was believed to be delicate, and many were the remedies applied to make me robust, without avail. At an early age I showed a decided preference for study, and so prepared for teaching. While engaged in this work I received a shock which would have prostrated me had I not been a firm believer in, and the possessor of, "will-power."
At the close of two years' work in the schoolroom, I was completely prostrated, as the result of the shock received two years before, and a surgical operation was deemed necessary. I shrank from it, but was assured by my physician that I would not live six months without it. The nature of the operation was such that I had nine chances against recovery to one in favor of it; but, believing that one chance to be my only hope of living, I took it.
The operation was performed in June, 1888, and in September of the same year, I again entered the schoolroom, although warned by my physician not to do so. My belief in "will-power" carried me through to the spring vacation, when I was taken with a fever. I was told that it would not be possible for me to finish the year's school work. I replied that I would finish it, and I did finish it, although it very nearly "finished" me.
