The Story of My Childhood
11
first thing you remember—the first event that made sufficient impression upon you to be remembered."
I waited in silence and he went on:
"And then I want you to write the next, and then the next, and so on, until you have written all—everything connected with yourself and your life that you can recall. I want it; we want it; the world wants it, and again I ask you to do it. Can you promise me?"
His earnest manner demanded an earnest reply. I could not promise to do it, but would promise to consider it.
This was in the spring of 1876. I
have never forgotten the request
through all these thirty-one busy years,
and have carefully kept the promise
to consider it; and to-night take my
