enabled to develop my
musical talent to the extent that I was selected to play for my home
church, and that inspired other students to attend Snow Hill Institute.

"During my first year in school there I was undecided as to just what I
was going to follow as a trade. I worked awhile in the sewing room then
in the laundry--was also interested in cooking and took special lessons
in cooking under Miss Mabry. In fact, I studied cooking the first two
years. Finally, in my senior year, Miss C. V. Johnson, then Secretary to
Mr. Edwards, asked me to clean the offices of mornings for her and work
with her on my work days. I began this work and would watch her using
the typewriter so much until I fully decided that I wanted to make an
efficient secretary for someone, and began working to that end. On my
work days she would have me copying letters with ink. I would be careful
not to make a mistake. During the time I was working in the office, Mr.
Edwards would often send me on errands and tell me to see how quickly I
could go and come. He seemed to have been very much impressed with my
work as a student in both the Academic and Industrial departments. There
were several prize contests given my class by different teachers, and I
won each prize. This was in the Academic department. There were twelve
members in the class. Mr. Edwards had the members of my class to write
some friends of the school for scholarships (this being the request of
the friends) and of the two persons that received favorable answers, I
was one. During the whole time I was in school I did not receive one
demerit, or a black mark. Our teachers seemed perfect, and it was a
pleasure for me to try to please them.

"In the year 1903 I graduated from the institution with a splendid grasp
of all that the school stood for and in favor with all of my teachers
and friends. Mr. Edwards, knowing my ability to do things as I was
instructed, employed me to work in his office as clerk. I then put forth
more strenuous efforts to do efficient work and would try to improve
myself along that particular line of work. So in the summer of 1905 I
attended school at Cheyney, Pa., taking a special course in English,
typewriting and shorthand. I did my best to give satisfaction in my
work.

"In the year 1909 I was made Private Secretary to Mr. Edwards and a
member of the Executive Council. I still had a desire to make further
improvement, and in the summer of 1911, I attended Comer's