of Tuskegee's Industrial Exhibit at the Atlanta
Exposition. At the solicitation of a number of persons living at
Mineola, Tex., I decided, even before graduation, to begin my life-work
at that place. Reaching Mineola, I found a fight on hand between the
teacher of the colored school and the patrons of the school. Immediately
on learning this fact I withdrew from the contest, notwithstanding the
fact that my cash earnings were almost exhausted and those who had
invited me there seemed unable to guarantee me the position. An incident
occurred at Mineola which I shall never forget. It was the second
meeting with Prof. H. T. Kealing, then president of Paul Quinn College,
Waco, Tex., but now editor of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Review, an ambitious magazine publication of the great African Methodist
Episcopal Church. The occasion was a Quarterly Conference of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church at Mineola, and Professor Kealing was there
to deliver a lecture. Our first meeting was at Tuskegee while I was a
student there during my Senior year. In that far-away country I was very
glad to see some one I knew, and after the meeting I was not long in
making myself known to Professor Kealing. He heard my story, praised the
stand I had taken, and expressed regrets that he was not able to offer
me a place in Paul Quinn College. He suggested that I take a letter of
introduction to Dr. I. B. Scott, then president of Wiley University,
Marshall, Tex., but now a Bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the
first colored man to be elected to the episcopacy of that great church.

At Wiley I was kindly received by Bishop Scott, and entered into a
contract with him to teach shoemaking for my board and the proceeds of
the shop. I entered into the spirit of Wiley with such earnestness that
at the close of my first month I was made a salaried teacher at $35 a
month, and before the session was half gone my salary had been raised to
$40. I completed the year's work with perfect satisfaction to all
concerned. What I enjoyed most of all during my year at Wiley was the
esteem and personal friendship of Bishop Scott. His letters addressed to
me upon the eve of my resignation, the esteem he placed on my work while
in the employ of the University, and his entreaties that I should not
tender my resignation so embarrassed me that for a time I was unable to
tell what I should do. I felt I owed it to Tuskegee to go wherever
Principal Washing