Struggles In The "Lone Star State."

BY A.C. GARROTT.

My home, Marion, Ala., was also the location of the Lincoln Normal
Institute, and fortunately I had attended that school for several
years. Being next to the oldest of eight children, my parents decided
to take me from school in '83, that I might earn something. I had
often heard of Talladega College, and wanted very much to enter there,
but my father being only a poor carpenter, it was impossible for me to
get the means to accomplish my desires.

However, by the aid of Northern friends I entered the above named
school, October 2d, 1883. Evenings and Saturdays I worked by the hour
to help defray my expenses. Unable to obtain a school, I could be
found at the college, during the summers of '84 and '85, working about
the buildings or on the farm. The money earned there was used for
schooling. During my last year in school I had job work--sweeping and
caring for lamps. This work was done early in order that I might have
time for study. And each morning, before day, my broom could be heard
moving through the corridors. At the close of school, I had paid by
work, and a prize gained in speaking the year before, about $52.75. It
was agreed that the balance should be paid after leaving school. In a
class of ten I received a diploma from the normal department, June 17,
1886. My time during the summer was occupied in working with my father
at the carpenter's trade.

Texas was said to have good public-schools, and it was my plan to try