and there and took no
special interest in the world. But now I was to become a missionary; I
was not only to aid in civilization but in advancing Christianity.

My new aim in life made me anxious concerning the boy who was to be my
helper. I took the deepest interest in all his plans in regard to me and
listened attentively when he bargained with his father for a fourth of a
cent's worth of yarn and the use of a needle with which to darn his
father's socks. I thought that a boy of sixteen who was willing to
increase me by undertaking to darn his father's stockings, deserved all
the aid that I could give him. I looked on with interest and admiration,
while he, with earnest toil, completed his task. When the task was
ended, I found myself increased from one to three cents. This small
beginning was in reality the most important of all our transactions and
demonstrated that we could work harmoniously together.

While he went to the St. Lawrence for his vacation, he did not give me a
vacation nor wrap me in a napkin, but left me where I grew to four
cents. Then we invested my whole increase in hickory nuts, which
transaction increased me to fifteen cents. I here discovered that I had
not only multiplied but had become of a more precious metal. I was now
silver. We now invested in peanuts and hickory nuts and I was increased
from fifteen to thirty cents. The community in which we lived manifested
such a fondness for peanuts that we again invested and I found myself
increased to seventy-five cents.

Coming in contact with one who mourned over sleepless nights, we
undertook to add to her comfort by making a hop pillow. Having invested
in materials, and the boy making the pillow himself upon the machine, we
realized an increase of twenty-five cents. Now to my great surprise and
still greater delight, I found that I had again been transformed into a
more precious metal. I was now gold. As I could attain no higher degree
in precious metals, it was decreed that in this form I should go forth
on my career as a missionary.

Good-bye to you, Lottie, and Rose, and Marion, and John, and Carl, and
Waldo. Our association has been very pleasant together, and I hope that
in taking leave of you I am not to pass altogether from your knowledge.
I should desire that this history of my growth and increase may
accompany me, that in time to come I may be able to report to you of the
good that through me you have been able to accomplish. Once mo