The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-06-10
R N. IVenS' Farewell Address,
Court House, May 20, 1903.
Ladies' and Gentlemen:

with sorrow that | address you
with a few remarks tonight;
Measure, because | am conscious
Of the fact that the people OF
HendersonYille are my sincere
friends; sorrow, because, for the
last time under such pleasant
auspices, I am speaking to this
vast audience, before me, and
around me, in this beautiful
auditorium of the New Court
House, one of the most modern
equipped buildings in the grand
Old North State" l trust how
ever that it may be my good
fortune to meet many of you
again in the years that may be
allotted to us in this transitory
world. Seven years / have spent
with you during whice time l,
sincerely and truly, have been
interested in the growth of this
beautiful, healthful mountain city
and in your children. Possibly
you will never know how much
of the very best part of my life
and energy, / have given to those
who have attended the graded
schools, and with what devotion
and pleasure, | have worked for
the boys and girls whom I admire
and love so implicitly. l came to
you a perfect stranger and we
took me in" | sincerely thank
you for your kindness and SYM
pathy, your friendship and hos
pitality. l shall remember you
kindly and tenderly.
Honorable members of the
Board of Trustees \ include
two former members, Mr. G. H.
T. Bly, and Mr.. ]. P. hickman
accept my deepest h~eartful graft
tude for your cooperation and
sincere support. We have work
ed tremendously together these
seven years. If there is any
credience to be given to the He
brew idea of the perfection in
the number seven, it fittingly
can be said that you did your
part nobly in making the years
complete in point of friendship
and helpfulness. Right royalty
have you stood by me at all times.
What a cold heartless world this
would be without friends! Being
my friends, you have made
the work pleasant and in some
measure, successful. Though
time and space may separate US;
yet, | trust they never may sew
er the ties which have bound us
together these seven years, and
it will be sweet to treasure up
in memory the expressions of
your love and devotion.
Boys and girls of the School,
former members, and former
graduates, | always shall remem-
Der you with the tenderest and
kindliest feelings. l have been,
am, and shall be interested in
your welfare and progress. If,
at any time, | can be of help to
you in giving advise, do not fail
to write your former teacher.
Whenever anything compliment
airy is said about the successful
work of the School, the thought
Immediately passes through my
mind, that the boys and girls de-
serve the credit, not I; for surely
you have been respectful, anna
BILE, kind, considerate and loving
to him who has tried to lead1
you by Divine help during all
these years. When l was stern
and apparently unkind, you soon
came to realize that whatever |
did was intended for the best of
all. When I say that you have
occupied a place in my heart
that will be vacant when | leave
IN a few days to take up my Ia
bors in another field, believe me.
The memory of your civilty, how
ever, will linger with me always
and make me glad that / come to
the delightful city of Henderson
vile. Il hope YOU will not think it