Nearly all were quarrymen, from fourteen
to twenty-one years of age, and engaged at work from 7 A.M. to
5.30 P.M. So intense was their desire for education that some of
them had to walk a distance of two or even three miles to school.
These, besides working hard all day, had to walk six miles in the
one case and nine in the other before school-time, in addition to
the walk home afterwards. Several of them used to attend all the
year round, even coming to me for lessons in summer before going
to work, as well as in the evening. Indeed, so anxious were some
of them, that they would often come for lessons as early as five
o'clock in the morning. This may appear almost incredible, but
any of the managers of the Carneddi School could corroborate the
statement.'
"I have now in my mind's eye," continues Mr. Bradley, "several of
these young men, who, by dint of indefatigable labour and
self-denial, ultimately qualified themselves for posts in which a
good education is a sine qua non. Some of them are to-day quarry
managers, professional men, certificated teachers, and ministers
of the Gospel. Five of them are at the present time students at
Bala College. One got a situation in the Glasgow Post Office as
letter-carrier. During his leisure hours he attended the
lectures at one of the medical schools of that city, and in
course of time gained his diploma.
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