en of New York who worked hard
all day care for an education?

Some people said no.

But Mr. Cooper thought of his own boyhood, and believed that young
people loved books, and would be glad of a chance to study them.

[Illustration: COOPER INSTITUTE, NEW YORK CITY.]

And when the grand building was opened students crowded in from the
shops and factories.

Some were worn and tired, as Peter Cooper had often been in his
youth.

But they studied eagerly in spite of that.

Every Saturday night two thousand came together in the great hall.

There the most famous people in the world lectured before them.

Every year nearly five hundred thousand read in the free library and
reading rooms.

Four thousand pupils came to the night school to study science and
art.

The white-haired, kindly-faced man went daily to see the students.

They loved him as a father.

His last act was to buy ten type-writers for the girls in that
department.

Has the work paid?

Ask any of those young men and women who have gone out from Cooper
Institute to earn their own living.

Not one of them had to pay a cent for his education.

No one is admitted who does not expect to earn his living.

Mr. Cooper did not love weak, idle young people, who are willing
their parents shall take care of them.

The work has grown so large that more money is needed--perhaps
another million.

Mr. Cooper gave it two millions of dollars.

Many are turned from the doors because there is no more room.

Some of the pupils from the Institute have become teachers.

One receives two dollars an hour for teaching.

Several engrave on wood.

One receives one hundred and fifty dollars a month.

Another, a lady, married a gentleman of wealth, and to show her
gratitude to Mr. Cooper has opened another "Free School of Art."

Is it any wonder that when Peter Cooper died thirty-five hundred
came up from the Institution to lay roses upon his coffin.

His last words to his son and daughter were not to forget Cooper
Union.

They have just given one hundred thousand dollars to it.

Mr. Cooper had many friends among the great and good of the land.

He died as unselfishly as he had lived, and who can measure the good
he did in the world?

[Illustration: EDISON.]

A GREAT INVENTOR.

Thomas A. Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, February 11, 1847.

There was nothing in Milan to make a boy wish to do great deeds.

There was a canal ther