I felt that the conditions were a good deal like those of an old
coloured man, during the days of slavery, who wanted to learn how
to play on the guitar. In his desire to take guitar lessons he
applied to one of his young masters to teach him, but the young
man, not having much faith in the ability of the slave to master
the guitar at his age, sought to discourage him by telling him:
"Uncle Jake, I will give you guitar lessons; but, Jake, I will
have to charge you three dollars for the first lesson, two
dollars for the second lesson, and one dollar for the third
lesson. But I will charge you only twenty-five cents for the last
lesson."
Uncle Jake answered: "All right, boss, I hires you on dem terms.
But, boss! I wants yer to be sure an' give me dat las' lesson
first."
Soon after my work in connection with the removal of the capital
was finished, I received an invitation which gave me great joy
and which at the same time was a very pleasant surprise. This was
a letter from General Armstrong, inviting me to return to Hampton
at the next Commencement to deliver what was called the
"post-graduate address." This was an honour which I had not
dreamed of receiving. With much care I prepared the best address
that I was capable of. I chose for my subject "The Force That
Wins.
Pages:
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119