I accepted the invitation, and at the appointed day was met at the
railway station at Charleston by a committee headed by ex-Governor
W.A. MacCorkle, and composed of men of both races. The public
reception was held in the Opera-House at Charleston. The Governor of
the state, the Hon. George W. Atkinson, presided, and an address of
welcome was made by ex-Governor MacCorkle. A prominent part in the
reception was taken by the coloured citizens. The Opera-House was
filled with citizens of both races, and among the white people were
many for whom I had worked when I was a boy. The next day Governor
and Mrs. Atkinson gave me a public reception at the State House, which
was attended by all classes.
Not long after this the coloured people in Atlanta, Georgia, gave
me a reception at which the Governor of the state presided, and a
similar reception was given me in New Orleans, which was presided over
by the Mayor of the city. Invitations came from many other places
which I was not able to accept.
CHAPTER XVII
LAST WORDS
BEFORE going to Europe some events came into my life which were great
surprises to me. In fact, my whole life has largely been one of
surprises. I believe that any man's life will be filled with
constant, unexpected encouragements of this kind if he makes up his
mind to do his level best each day of his life -- that is, tries to
make each day reach as nearly as possible the high-water mark of pure,
unselfish, useful living.
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