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Show 196 She read, at that time, a paper by Sister Li H i e Freeze (Ellis' special friend from the old times in Salt Lake) which, in her article, she quoted in its entirety, as also one given by Sister Minnie J. Snow. We shall not attempt it here. My own paper was the last, and Sister Taylor told me that I would have to hurry, or I would be rung down by the bell, as we had only a few moments of our regular time left. Didn't I read? Dr. Shipp said afterwards that she never heard a human tongue go so fast in her life before. I told her I hadn't practiced fast talking to the children in "Simon says thumb's up" for nothing all these years. I galloped, I flew, I skimmed. But that dreadful bell caught me in the next to the last paragraph in spite of my efforts. I was determined to finish that one paragraph, and I turned and asked Sister Taylor if I might. I forgot where I was and talked right out loud to them just as I would on the stand at home. I told them I want Aunt Susan to hear that one paragraph, and while they were all smiling at my impudence, I just galloped on to the end of my paragraph, to my own gratification and to the evident satisfaction of the audience, for they gave me a great round of applause.28 Susa's observation about the reactions of other delegates to the Mormon women's expressions: The tone of all our speeches was not pleasing in some respects to the ladies who sat on the platform with us, and the Rev. Anna Shaw took occasion to express her utter disagreement with what had been said...and I propose to keep track of the eloquent little divine, and if she does not see the truth here, I shall help her to see it in eternity. God bless her and keep her!29 Her assessment of Sister Taylor's performance during the days of the Council sessions bears scrutiny, for it reflects her attitude in general about certain topics Ellis touched upon in her diary: Oh, girls, you don't know how proud I felt of our beloved Sister Taylor. There was not a woman in that Convention who presided over her meetings with more dignity than did our leader. She is a lady, ever inch of her, and she made us feel the better for her presence, and her wise, gentle |
