s and Miss Griffin
were matrons and cooks. The 4th of July, 1900, found the work of the
farm in such a prosperous condition that it was decided to celebrate the
event with a cake and some ice-cream, for by this time we owned a cow.

One peculiar thing happened about the time we purchased this farm. We
were teaching a graded school which we were eager to turn into a
boarding institution. The pupils and patrons were in perfect accord with
the faculty, but as soon as the fact became known that we had purchased
a large tract of land and would endeavor to build a boarding and
industrial school thereon, the members of the faculty at once became
objects of scorn to almost the entire colored population. There were at
that time enrolled in the school 240 children. Within less than a month
more than 100 had dropped out. When school closed in May there were only
60 children attending.

We went about our duties, however, without complaint. While we worked,
Nature also worked for us. Vegetation flourished wherever seed were
sown; the trees bore a harvest of apples such as I have not seen since,
and all went well.

As I look back over those years of trial, of privation, of sacrifice, I
find they were conditions precedent to laying an enduring foundation.
Our hope has been to establish a school where poor but earnest boys and
girls can secure an education. It was through our efforts, first of all,
that we were able to prove to the supporters of the school that such an
institution could live and grow and do great and lasting good for those
it is designed to help. Year by year the school has grown. Year by year
the people of the community realize the sincerity of my teachers and
give them hearty support. Patience, toil, trust in God, and enterprise
are the elements which are fast putting this work on its feet.

Every person who visits the school sees earnestness manifested on farm,
in shop, in class, about the grounds, everywhere, and goes away a
sincere friend. Not alone do we have our visitor's friendship, but he
tells the simple story to others and the number of friends increases.

Mr. R. C. Bedford, of Beloit, Wis., after visiting the school in
January, 1905, took occasion to address a gentleman in the North who had
interested himself in raising funds for the school, in the following
language: "I have not visited the school for three years. Great changes
have taken place since then. The good there being accomplished is simply
i