while a foamy jet of milk passed from another. There, too, I
learned cheese-making and butter-making.

My school life was filled with difficulties because of financial
embarrassments. I was one of the competitors in the first Trinity Church
(Boston) Prize Contest, founded at the school by Dr. E. Winchester
Donald, successor of Phillips Brooks, and rector of Trinity until his
death, and I remember that I was greatly discomfited because the socks I
wore had no feet in them, and my shoes had that afternoon been sewed
with thread blackened with soot.

However, I was the successful contestant, the first winner of the prize
of $25. The next day I provided myself with new shoes and socks. I also
received my diploma that same year, 1897, within two days of receiving
the prize, and was very happy to receive it and the diploma at the same
time.

Two summers and one winter after graduating I taught school at Mamie,
Ala. When I was not teaching I worked on the farm of the family with
which I boarded. For this work I received very little pay, but I had
been taught at Tuskegee that it was better to work for nothing than to
be idle--a Booker T. Washington precept.

The second winter I was first assistant in the Ozark city school, Ozark,
Ala., and was offered the principalship for the next term, but I
declined in order to further pursue postgraduate studies in agriculture
at Tuskegee. I remained there for six months. I then went West, to
Rockford, Ill., to do practical work in that section for the purpose of
strengthening and improving the theory and practise already learned.

It was harvesting season and I soon secured work. I put all my energy
into the work of the rugged Western farm and succeeded admirably in
following the threshing-machine, in husking corn, and in doing the other
farm labors common to Western fall and winter seasons. My first four
months were spent on the farm of a widow. After the harvesting was over
she offered me the farm, with its implements, barns, horses, and dairy
herd, if I would remain and pay her certain percentages of the profits,
but I told her that I was only a student in search of knowledge.

The next spring I secured work with a very progressive Irishman. He was
a farmer, as well as secretary and treasurer of a modern creamery and
butter factory. This work I preferred, because it was along my chosen
line, and of a very high grade.

For one year I worked in this establishment, and was not abse