Once in my seat an account of stock was taken--two bags, an umbrella, overcoat, two gum shoes (one off, one on), manuscript of lecture in bag, eye-glasses in outside pocket of waistcoat. This over, I spread myself upon the cane seat and took in the situation. It was four o'clock (the lecture was at eight); Sheffield was two hours away; this would give time to change my dress and get something to eat. The committee, moreover, were to meet me at the depot with a carriage and drive me to where I was “to spend the night and dine”--so the chairman's letter read. The suppressed smile on the second conductor's face when he punched my ticket and read the name of “Sheffield” sent my hand into my pocket in search of this same letter. Yes--there was no mistake about it,--“Our carriage,” it read, “will meet you,” etc., etc. The confirmation brought with it a certain thrill; not a carriage picked up out of the street, or a lumbering omnibus--a mere go-between from station to hotels--but “our carriage!” Nothing like these lecture associations, I thought,--nothing like these committees, for making strangers comfortable. That was why it was often a real pleasure to appear before them. This one would, no doubt, receive me in a big yellow and white Colonial club-house built by the women of the town (I know of a dozen just such structures), with dressing and lunch rooms, spacious lecture hall, and janitor in gray edged with black. This thought called up my own responsibility in the matter; I was glad I had caught the train; it was a bad night to bring people out and then disappoint them, even if most of them did come in their own carriages. Then again, I had kept my word; none of my fault, of course, if I hadn't--but I had!--that was a source of satisfaction. Now that I thought of it, I had, in all my twenty years of lecturing, failed only twice to reach the platform. In one instance a bridge was washed away, and in the other my special train (the price I paid for that train still keeps me hot against the Trusts) ran into a snowdrift and stayed there until after midnight, instead of delivering me on time, as agreed. I had arrived late, of course, many times, gone without my supper often, and more than once had appeared without the proper habiliments--and I am particular about my dress coat and white waistcoat--but only twice had the gas been turned off and the people turned out. Another time I had-- “Sheffield! Shef-fie-l-d! All out for Shef-f-i-e-l-d!” yelled the conductor. The two bags once more, the conductor helping me on with my overcoat, down the snow-blocked steps and out into the night. “Step lively!--more'n an hour late now.”