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of poor but deserving students。 Without them I question whether I should ever have gotten through Hampton。
When I first went to Hampton I do not recall that I had ever slept in a bed that had two sheets on it。 In those days there were not many buildings there； and room was very precious。 There were seven other boys in the same room with me； most of them； however； students who had been there for some time。 The sheets were quite a puzzle to me。 The first night I slept under both of them； and the second night I slept on top of them； but by watching the other boys I learned my lesson in this； and have been trying to follow it ever since and to teach it to others。
I was among the youngest of the students who were in Hampton at the time。 Most of the students were men and womensome as old as forty years of ago。 As I now recall the scene of my first year； I do not believe that one often has the opportunity of coming into contact with three or four hundred men and women who were so tremendously in earnest as these men and women were。 Every hour was occupied in study or work。 Nearly all had had enough actual contact with the world to teach them the need of education。 Many of the older ones were； of course； too old to master the text…books very thoroughly； and it was often sad to watch their struggles； but they made up in earnest much of what they lacked in books。 Many of them were as poor as I was； and； besides having to wrestle with their books； they had to struggle with a poverty which prevented their having the necessities of life。 Many of them had aged parents who were dependent upon them； and some of them were men who had wives whose support in some way they had to provide for。
The great and prevailing idea that seemed to take possession of every one was to prepare himself to lift up the people at his home。 No one seemed to think of himself。 And the officers and teachers； what a rare set of human beings they were！ They worked for the students night and day； in seasons and out of season。 They seemed happy only when they were helping the students in some manner。 Whenever it is writtenand I hope it will bethe part that the Yankee teachers played in the education of the Negroes immediately after the war will make one of the most thrilling parts of the history off this country。 The time is not far distant when the whole South will appreciate this service in a way that it has not yet been able to do。
Chapter IV。 Helping Others
At the end of my first year at Hampton I was confronted with another difficulty。 Most of the students went home to spend their vacation。 I had no money with which to go home； but I had to go somewhere。 In those days very few students were permitted to remain at the school during vacation。 It made me feel very sad and homesick to see the other students preparing to leave and starting for home。 I not only had no money with which to go home； but I had none with which to go anywhere。
In some way； however； I had gotten hold of an extra； second…hand coat which I thought was a pretty valuable coat。 This I decided to sell； in order to get a little money for travelling expenses。 I had a good deal of boyish pride； and I tried to hide； as far as I could； from the other students the fact that I had no money and nowhere to go。 I made it known to a few people in the town of Hampton that I had this coat to sell； and； after a good deal of persuading； one coloured man promised to come to my room to look the coat over and consider the matter of buying it。 This cheered my drooping spirits considerably。 Early the next morning my prospective customer appeared。 After looking the garment over carefully； he asked me how much I wanted for it。 I told him I thought it was worth three dollars。 He seemed to agree with me as to price； but remarked in the most matter…of…fact way： 〃I tell you what I will do； I will take the coat； and will pay you five cents； cash down； and pay you the rest of the money just as soon as I can get it。〃 It is not hard to imagine what my feelings were at the time。
With this disappointment I gave up all hope of getting out of the town of Hampton for my vacation work。 I wanted very much to go where I might secure work that would at least pay me enough to purchase some much…needed clothing and other necessities。 In a few days practically all the students and teachers had left for their homes； and this served to depress my spirits even more。
After trying for several days in and near the town of Hampton； I finally secured work in a restaurant at Fortress Monroe。 The wages； however； were very little more than my board。 At night； and between meals； I found considerable time for study and reading； and in this direction I improved myself very much during the summer。
When I left school at the end of my first year； I owed the institution sixteen dollars that I had not been able to work out。 It was my greatest ambition during the summer to save money enough with which to pay this debt。 I felt that this was a debt of honour； and that I could hardly bring myself to the point of even trying to enter school again till it was paid。 I economized in every way that I could think ofdid my own washing； and went without necessary garmentsbut still I found my summer vacation ending and I did not have the sixteen dollars。
One day； during the last week of my stay in the restaurant； I found under one of the tables a crisp； new ten…dollar bill。 I could hardly contain myself； I was so happy。 As it was not my place of business I felt it to be the proper thing to show the money to the proprietor。 This I did。 He seemed as glad as I was； but he coolly explained to me that； as it was his place of business； he had a right to keep the money； and he proceeded to do so。 This； I confess； was another pretty hard blow to me。 I will not say that I became discouraged； for as I now look back over my life I do not recall that I ever became discouraged over anything that I set out to accomplish。 I have begun everything with the idea that I could succeed； and I never had much patience with the multitudes of people who are always ready to explain why one cannot succeed。 I determined to face the situation just as it was。 At the end of the week I went to the treasurer of the Hampton Institute； General J。F。B。 Marshall； and told him frankly my condition。 To my gratification he told me that I could reenter the institution； and that he would trust me to pay the debt when I could。 During the second year I continued to work as a janitor。
The education that I received at Hampton out of the text…books was but a small part of what I learned there。 One of the things that impressed itself upon me deeply； the second year； was the unselfishness of the teachers。 It was hard for me to understand how any individuals could bring themselves to the point where they could be so happy in working for others。 Before the end of the year； I think I began learning that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others。 This lesson I have tried to carry with me ever since。
I also learned a valuable lesson at Hampton by coming into contact with the best breeds of live stock and fowls。 No student； I think； who has had the opportunity of doing this co