West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-06-08
Presentation.

nificent vase in n silver stand, to
Prof A. l.. Purinton, Supt. of
Schools, by the teachers and pupils
of the Colored schools. On Wednes-
day morning, when Prof. Purinton
had read the promotions in the col
ored Schools, and was about to
withdraw, Mr.. Champ, Principal,
asked him to tarry n moment as he
wished to confer with him in lit
tie matter. The Professor was
much taken aback and totally sur
prised, when Mr.. Champ brought
from the other room the splendid
vase, and presented it in neat i'd
dress in substance as follows:
Prot. Purtnton: We the teach
ers of the colored schools of this city
together with the pupils of this
Grammar School, desire to manifest
the great esteem in which you are
held by us all, ana when | say as,
believe but voice the feeling and
sentiment of all the good people
who are patrons of this school.
Permit me to say on behalf of the
other teachers and myself, that we
do and shall ever feel grateful to
you for your many kindnesses as
well rs for the assistance you have
given us in carrying forward the
great and important work in which
we are engaged.
1t might be urged by those who
make it their business to criticize,
that in doing what you have done,
you were only performing your
duty as Supt of Schools. To those
| would say, if such there be, that
even duty nobly, grandly perform
ed is worthy of the very highest
commentator. We teachers have
vivid conception of the response
bilities surrounding the position
you hold. Let me assure you that
your administration has BEEN emf
nently satisfactory to us. And on
behalf of these pupils am permit
ted to say that they feel that you
have tried to do your duty by them.
And therefore as small though
inadequate token of their and our
esteem. you will accept this vase
and stand, and may it, if it has no
other value, ever be a remembrancer
of this day and of this school. And
this white flower which goes with
it, so delicately wrought by the
hand of art, may it ever be en-
blematic of the purity Of the lives
of both recipient and donors.
Although at first demoralizcd
somewhat, by the ambuscadc and
sudden assault, the Professor rallied
and sustained his reputation of al
ways being equal to the occasion.
Accepting the beautiful gift with
evident emotions of gratitude, he
responded to Mr. Champs happily
chosen words, something in this
wise:
Tn all my life no incident has
touched my heart more tenderly
than this. If / have one darling
ambition it is to be useful to those
who need help. have taken great
delight in the colored schools, and
am proud to-day of what they have
accomplished, In public address
last summer in another city, / said
that very few towns in the State
had any schools superior to the
Parkersburg Colored Schools. ! be-
lieve that to be true. But if we
should continue our present rela-
tionship for another year, | hope
for enlarged accommodations and
increased force in these schools, and
promise myself a great advance in
their excellence / cannot fifty
thank you for this beautiful gift.
l shall prize it while I live. twill
remind me of the grand work Of
Mr.. Champ and his faithful assis-
tants, and of the earnestness and
generosity of these boys and girls.
You will never be forgotten. With
Gods blessing, we will justly expect
still nobler work from you, and still
greater care for you in the years
that shall come"
1t was a most happy affair
throughout, happily conceived,
happily carried out, and can but be
happy in it's results.