or I would die and be buried in the school cemetery. When
Mr. Washington stood at the altar in the first service which I attended
and uttered a fervent prayer asking for guidance, and for spiritual and
financial strength to carry on that great work, I felt that the Lord
would surely answer his prayer. Since then I have traveled practically
all over this country, and in one foreign country, without once seeing
anything that made so deep an impression on me.

[Illustration: MORNING AT THE BARNS ON THE SCHOOL FARM.

Teams of horses and cattle ready to start for the day's work.]

Simultaneously with this opportunity for self-education came many real
hardships--to say nothing of imaginary hardships--which nearly resulted
disastrously to my health. I was poorly clad for the extraordinary
winter then setting in. I had only one undershirt and one pair of
drawers. I could not, of course, put these articles in the laundry, and
therefore had to pull them off on Saturday nights, wash them, and get
them dry enough to wear by breakfast on Sunday morning. It followed that
many Sunday mornings found me sitting at the table wearing damp
underwear. I could do no better, without leaving school, and this I was
determined not to do. I was earnest in my work, and was promoted from a
common laborer to be a hostler in charge of all boys dealing with
horses, and then to the much-sought position of special assistant to the
farm manager.

I was beginning to see the mistakes of my former life, the time I had
lost, and now applied myself diligently. I carried a book with me
everywhere I went, and not a second of time would I lose. While driving
my mules with a load of wood, I would read until I reached the place of
unloading. Mr. Washington took note of this, and upon one occasion,
while admonishing the students to make good use of their time, said:
"There is a young man on the grounds who will be heard from some day
because of his intense application to study and diligence in his work."
I listened. I knew he was speaking of me, and the fact that I was to be
"heard from" later made me double my resolutions.

In September, 1891, I had to my credit in the treasury of the
institution $100, and I was now ready to enter the day-school, to
measure arms with the more fortunate students. But, alas! sickness
overtook me, and when I emerged from the hospital, after about two
months' sickness, my doctor's bill was exactly $100. My accumulated
credit