THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 175 



tween these two most estimable young ladies. Under the capti- 

 vating influence of the enchanting music of the one who could 

 sing, he finally decided in her favor, proposed to her, was ac- 

 cepted and they were married. A short time after they were 

 married, he woke up one morning and while his wife was still 

 asleep, he studied her features and her face was positively pain- 

 ful. When he remembered her beautiful sister, as well as many 

 other acquaintances, she suffered from comparison. When he 

 was just about ready to decide that it was more than he could 

 bear, he was reminded of the accomplishment that had been so 

 attractive to him and he laid his hand on her shoulder and gave 

 her a shake and said, "My God, Maggie, get up and sing." 



If you think her homely, I ask you today to remember the 

 most beautiful song that Illinois ever heard as she came at even- 

 tide from across the prairie and the winding paths of t he forest 

 along the banks of the historic creek swinging her head with the 

 proud air of a prima donna and chanting in low, solemn tones 

 an anthem of hope to Illinois' mothers and Illinois' children and 

 keeping time to the music of a silver dollar at the rate of 16 to 1 

 as they dropped into the banks of Missouri to be drawn on as 

 necessary to supply the wants of a people over whose destinies 

 she seemed to have such wonderful control. 



Is beauty the only standard by which you are governed in 

 your consideration of friends? I answer, no! Do you know of 

 anyone whom you regarded at first sight as being so homely 

 your sympathies were aroused and when you knew them better, 

 they seemed to get better looking until you couldn't detect any- 

 thing homely about them? We have an old horse at our house 

 and if you will promise not to tell, I will confess to you he hasn't 

 a beauty spot on him and yet when my wife takes the children 

 and drives down the lake front she compares Old Tom with 

 every horse she meets and her universal verdict is that for actual 

 beauty Tom beats them all. I tell you, beauty is a state of mind 

 and in any event there is something more substantial that appeals 

 to our better nature. Usefulness is prominent over all other 

 attributes. Individuality is what we are impressed with. Ben 



