Chapter V

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THE NEXT STEP.

“Do the next thing”—such is the sage advice of some practical philosopher. Had Angeline Stickney failed to keep advancing she would have sunk into obscurity, as her sisters did, and this story could not have been written. But ambition urged her forward, in spite of the morbid religious scruples that made ambition a sin; and she determined to continue her education. For some time she was undecided whether to go to Albany, or to Oberlin, or to McGrawville. If she went to Albany, board would cost her two dollars a week—more than she could well afford. Besides, Ruth could not accompany her. So she finally chose McGrawville—where both sisters together lived on the incredibly small sum of one dollar a week—fifty cents for a room and twenty-five cents each for provisions. As we shall see, she met her future husband at McGrawville; and so it was not an altogether miserly or unkind fate that led her thither.

She was determined to go to college, and to have Ruth go with her. We may laugh at the means she employed to raise funds, but we must respect the determination. The idea of a young woman’s going about the country teaching monochromatic painting, and the making of tissue-paper flowers! Better to take in washing. And yet there could have been no demand for a professional washerwoman in that part of the country. Indeed, Ruth and Angeline had many a discussion of the money problem. One scheme that suggested itself—whether in merriment or in earnest I cannot say—was to dress like men and go to work in some factory. In those days women’s wages were absurdly small; and the burden of proof and of prejudice rested on the young woman who maintained her right to go to college. They saved what they could from their paltry women’s wages, and upon these meagre savings, after all, they finally depended; for the monochromatic painting and the tissue-paper flowers supplied nothing more substantial than a little experience.

The following extracts from the second and last journal kept by Angeline Stickney need no explanation. The little book itself is mutely eloquent. It is hand-made, and consists of some sheets of writing paper cut to a convenient size and stitched together, with a double thickness of thin brown wrapping paper for a cover.

_Thursday_ [Jan. 8, 1852].... I intended to go to Lockport to teach
painting to-day, but the stage left before I was ready to go, so I
came back home. Ruth and I had our daguerreotypes taken to-day.
David here when we arrived at home to carry Ruth to her school.
_Friday, Jan. 9th_ To-day Mr. Vandervort came up after the horses
and sleigh to go to Mr. Losea’s. He said he would carry me to
Watertown and I could take the stage for Lockport, but the stage had
left about half an hour before we arrived there, so Mr. Vandervort
said he would bring me up in the evening. We started after tea and
arrived here in safety, but too late to do anything towards getting
a class. _Sat., Jan. 10th_ Mr. Granger the landlord told me I had
better go and get Miss Cobe to assist me in getting a class. She
called with me at several places. Did not get much encouragement, so
I thought best to go to Felts Mills in the afternoon. Tavern bill 3
shillings, fare from Lockport to the Mills 2 s. Arrived at the Mills
about 1 o’clock. Proceeded directly to the village school to see if
any of the scholars wished to take lessons. Found two of them that
would like to take lessons. Called at several places. Met with some
encouragement. _Sunday, 11th._ Went to church in the afternoon. Very
noisy here. Not much appearance of being the Sabbath. _Monday,
12th._ Concluded not to stay at the Mills. Found but three scholars
there. So in the afternoon I came up to the Great Bend. Several
called this evening to see my paintings. _Tuesday._ Very stormy.
Went to the school to see if any of the scholars wished to take
lessons in painting. Found none. Thought I would not stay there any
longer. So when the stage came along in the afternoon I got on
board, and thought I would stop at Antwerp, but on arriving there
found that the stage was going to Ogdensburgh this evening. Thought
I would come as far as Gouverneur. Arrived at Gouverneur about 9
o’clock. Put up at the Van Buren Hotel. _Wednesday 14._ Quite
stormy, so that I could not get out much, but went to Elder Sawyer’s
and to Mr. Fox’s. Mr. Clark, the principal of the Academy, carried
the paintings to the hall this afternoon so that the pupils might
see them. Brought them to me after school and said he would let me
know next day whether any of the scholars wished to take lessons. I
am almost discouraged, yet will wait with patience the decisions of
to-morrow. _Thursday._ Pleasant day. Mr. Clark came down this
morning. Said Miss Wright, the preceptress, would like to take
lessons; and I found several others that thought they would take
lessons. Found a boarding place at Mr. Horr’s. The family consists
of Mr. and Mrs. Horr and their two daughters, hired girl and a
little girl that they have adopted, and seven boarders, besides
myself. _Sunday, February 8th._ Have been to church to-day. Eld.
Sawyer preached in the forenoon. Communion this afternoon. Went to
prayer meeting this evening. _Monday, 9th._ Went to Mr. Fox’s to-day
to give Miss Goddard a lesson in painting. Miss Wright also takes
lessons. _Tues., 10th._ This has been a beautiful day. Spring is
coming again. I hear her sweet voice, floating on the south wind,
and the sound of her approaching footsteps comes from the hills.
Have given Miss Goddard two lessons in painting to-day. _Wednesday,
Feb. 18th._ Have packed my trunk and expect to leave Gouverneur
to-morrow morning. Have received two letters to-day, one from Mrs.
Shea, and one from Elmina and Ruth. Have settled with all my
scholars and with Mrs. Horr. Have eighteen dollars and a half left.
_Thursday, 19th._ Left Mr. Horr’s this morning for Antwerp. Fare
from Gouverneur to Antwerp five shillings. Have endeavored to get a
class here to-day. Think I shall not succeed. Fare and bill 7 and 6.
_Friday, 20th._ Came to North Wilna to-day. Left my trunk at Mr.
Brewer’s and came down to Mr. Gibbs’. Found Mr. Gibbs, Electa and
Miranda at home. It was seven years last October since I left North
Wilna, yet it looks quite natural here.... _Thursday, March 4th._
Frederick came and brought me to Philadelphia to-day. Am stopping at
Mr. Kirkbride’s. Think I shall get something of a class here.
_Friday._ Have been trying to get a class. Think I shall get a class
in flowers. Have $15 with me now. _Sat., 6th_. Think I shall not
succeed in forming a class here. The young ladies seem to have no
time or money to spend except for leap year rides. _Sunday, 7th_
Went to the Methodist church this forenoon. Mr. Blanchard preached.
The day is very beautiful, such a day as generally brings joy and
gladness to my heart, but yet I am rather sad. I would like to sit
down a little while with Miss Annette and Eleanor Wright to read
Mrs. Hemans. Those were golden moments that I spent with them, and
with Miss Ann in Gouverneur. _Sunday, Apr. 4th._ It is now four
weeks since I have written a word in my journal. Did not get a class
in Philadelphia, so I went down to Evans Mills. Stayed there two
days but did not succeed in forming a class there, so I thought best
to go to Watertown. Fare at Mr. Kirkbride’s 6 s at Mr. Brown’s $1.
From Evans Mills to Watertown $0.50. Came up to Rutland Village
Wednesday evening, fare 3 s. Went to Mrs. Staplin’s Tuesday. There
was some prospect of getting a class there. Taught Charlotte to
paint and Albina to make flowers. Came to Champion Friday March 26th
to see if I could get a class here. Went back to Mrs. Staplin’s
Friday evening. The next Monday evening Mr. K. Jones came and
brought me up here again. Commenced teaching Wednesday the last day
of March. Have four scholars, Miss C. Johnson, Miss C. Hubbard, Miss
Mix, and Miss A. Babcock. Have attended church to-day. Mr. Bosworth
preached. Am boarding at Mr. Babcock’s. There is some snow on the
ground yet, and it is very cold for the season.

_McGrawville, May 5th, Wed. evening._ Yes, I am in McGrawville at
last and Ruth is with me. We left home for this place Apr. 22nd.
Came on the cars as far as Syracuse. Took the stage there for
Cortland. Arrived at Cortland about ten in the evening. Stayed there
over night. Next morning about 8 o’clock started for McG. Arrived
here about nine.

_Saturday, Sept. 17 ’53._ What a long time has elapsed since I have
written one word in my journal. Resolve now to note down here
whatever transpires of importance to me. Am again at McGrawville
after about one year’s absence. Arrived here Tuesday morning. To-day
have entered the junior year in New York Central College. This day
may be one of the most important in my life.

_Monday, Sept. 11th, 1854._ To-day have commenced my Senior year, at
New York Central College. My studies are: Calculus; Philosophy,
Natural and Mental; Greek, Homer. What rainbow hopes cluster around
this year.

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