Miss Mary
F. Mackie, the head teacher, offered me a position as janitor. This,
of course, I gladly accepted, because it was a place where I could
work out nearly all the cost of my board. The work was hard and
taxing but I stuck to it. I had a large number of rooms to care for,
and had to work late into the night, while at the same time I had to
rise by four o'clock in the morning, in order to build the fires and
have a little time in which to prepare my lessons. In all my career
at Hampton, and ever since I have been out in the world, Miss Mary F.
Mackie, the head teacher to whom I have referred, proved one of my
strongest and most helpful friends. Her advice and encouragement were
always helpful in strengthening to me in the darkest hour.
I have spoken of the impression that was made upon me by the
buildings and general appearance of the Hampton Institute, but I have
not spoken of that which made the greatest and most lasting impression
on me, and that was a great man -- the noblest, rarest human being
that it has ever been my privilege to meet. I refer to the late
General Samuel C. Armstrong.
It has been my fortune to meet personally many of what are called
great characters, both in Europe and America, but I do not hesitate to
say that I never met any man who, in my estimation, was the equal of
General Armstrong.
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