Page:Life of Isaiah V Williamson.djvu/116

98 however, are of special interest, showing that Williamson then entertained the idea of an institution for both sexes, the girls to be trained, among other things, in cooking and all forms of plain housekeeping; that the title then in mind was the "Institute (or School) for the Mental and Industrial Education of the Young"; and that four million dollars was the amount he was first planning to bequeath, the institution to be "organized as soon as practicable" after his death.

But gradually, as Williamson revolved his great purpose after the cautious manner of years, looking at it repeatedly from all sides, the desire grew upon him to get the scheme started in his lifetime. The counsel of some of his friends confirmed him in this. His attorney, Franklin B. Gowen, formerly President of the Reading Railroad, and a friend in whose judgment he had the greatest confidence—was one of those who urged him not to wait, arguing among other things that if he carried out his purpose while living a collateral inheritance tax would be saved. And there were the examples of other men, either as warning or inspiration—the long