take me from school in '83, that I might earn something. I had
often heard of Talladega College, and wanted very much to enter there,
but my father being only a poor carpenter, it was impossible for me to
get the means to accomplish my desires.

However, by the aid of Northern friends I entered the above named
school, October 2d, 1883. Evenings and Saturdays I worked by the hour
to help defray my expenses. Unable to obtain a school, I could be
found at the college, during the summers of '84 and '85, working about
the buildings or on the farm. The money earned there was used for
schooling. During my last year in school I had job work--sweeping and
caring for lamps. This work was done early in order that I might have
time for study. And each morning, before day, my broom could be heard
moving through the corridors. At the close of school, I had paid by
work, and a prize gained in speaking the year before, about $52.75. It
was agreed that the balance should be paid after leaving school. In a
class of ten I received a diploma from the normal department, June 17,
1886. My time during the summer was occupied in working with my father
at the carpenter's trade.

Texas was said to have good public-schools, and it was my plan to try
the "Lone Star State." I was working to secure means to pay the fare,
but father failed in being paid promptly, and this forced me to borrow
money for the purpose. Many tried to discourage me in my plan as it
was what is sometimes termed as a "wild goose chase." I remarked,
though, that if no schools could be found, there were other things to
be done--cotton to be picked; wagons to be driven; and ditches to be
dug. So the work-clothes were not forgotten when my trunk was packed.

On September 30, 1886, I arrived in Henderson, a stranger to all save
one, and with a very small purse. Then commenced my trials. I was in
my twenty-first year, but had a young appearance, and the trustees of
most schools objected to me for that reason. I walked many miles in
search of work, and it was not till the middle of November that my
first school opened.

Owing money for schooling, for fare to this State, and for board after
coming here, caused me to start far below the surface in pecuniary
matters. As I had made large plans, that was quite discouraging.

The school proceeded nicely and a Sabbath-school was organized in
connection. The latter was quite small, though there was a large
attendance in the day school.