The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-02
PRINTING. Frank P, Chisholm:

During the summer of '97. having fin- ished the public schools at my home. savannah, Ga. 1t was with me a serious problem to decide just what to do next tal. So far as ambition goes, this prob lem was at once solved, but being with out sufncient and necessary means to fur ther my ambition into something more tangible than mere notion, I thought 1t best to divest myself temporarily at least or studying medicine, lest I should ind myself dazzling amid the splendors Of ideals yet to be realized to be of prac- tical good to me. and my whole life dwarfed and stunted because of no real and permanent growth. Accordingly, began to make inquiries about the vari- ous colored schools throughout the coun- try. Among the many that were called to my attention, Tuskegee appealed most strongly to the final accomplishment of the real ambition as well as unmistak- delightfully."- pleased with all l had heard concerning the school, I sought to be- come in possession of first-hand known edge of the methods, courses of study terms, etc, by reading their catalogues.
 After carefully reading Tuskegees cat alogue 1 unhesitatingly decided that here was the place for me. here was a school l had long been in quest of, here was a foundation of knowledge where one, penniless and discontented with his condition, could, with the expenditure of some effort and sacrifice on his part. make his life useful and serviceable ts
 
 l begap to put aside my earnings, and economlze in every way that my fondest hope to come to Tuskegee might be real iZed. And it was.
 Four years ago I arrived at Tuskegec, was given my rooming quarters and the following day assigned to work. 1 ap- piled for the printing industry. There are several reasons why l applied for this special trade. The main one is that as my ambition has always been wholly professional. general mastery of the principles and art of this special indus try would service a purpose in my par ticufar case that no other industry here would serve. that it would serve not as an end in itself. but as means to an end, my real object being to get such Knowledge of this branch of industry as would assist me in paying my tuition when l leave here and enter upon the study of medicine. One other reason why e 1 applied for this special industry is that have always been of the opinion that 1 could more easily and rapidly grasp the rudiments of and acquire proficiency in the matter of doing things" in 1t than l could in any other branch or trade.
 entered the night school. I made the B middle class 1 remained in night school until last year (three scholastic yearsJ. when I entered the day school, a member of the A middle class. Having served my. apprenticeship. my instructor recommended that l be given certiti- cate, which l received last commence ment. Having completed the studies of the A middle class, which were Algebra, English literature. bookkeeping, physics. chemistry. mechanical drawing and I'i- ble, l was promoted to the senior class. The studies of the senior class, with two exceptions, depend upon the line of work or trade you follow Being printer, l take physics, mechanical craving. men, tai philosophy and Bible. I spend the last two periods of eighty minutes in the afternoon working at my chosen in- dustry. Besides these two periods. ev- cry school day 1 work every Monday and every Saturday. Notwithstanding 1 have completed the three years course as laid down in the printing office, l am con- stantly at work at my trade. The two exceptions to which 1 referred in the matter of studies in the senior class are that notwithstanding our taking differ ent trades we all take Bible and mental
 expect to graduate the coming com mepcement and if l do 1 am sure I shall feel proud of the training l have received at Tuskegee during the five years (and l have remained here every summer and winter of those five yearsl, ] shall have remained here; and there will be but one thing above that l shall request. that is, l shall never be able to repay Tuskegee for all that she has done for me; that 1 could not if I would because the benefits conferred arc price less and incalculable But though l shall never be able to fully compensate Tus- kegee for all she has done for me. think l have sufficiently caught her spirit and the spirit of her founder and my teacher Booker T. Washington, to go out feeling that there is a responsi- bllity- resting upon me. a responsibility to lift as l climb; feeling that I owe it to myself and my people to live a pure. unselfsh and useful life; feeling that Wherever my lot chances to be cast that there must l cast down my buckets and humblv and nobly Learn to labor and to wait"