A Dedication

To Principal Booker T. Washington of Tuskegee Industrial School To you who now so nobly do A noble deed; Who now instill the virtues true To virtuous need; Whose mission is so truly good— So full of kindly brotherhood— Who live the life you surely should— A trusty lead; Who early saw that skillful head And skillful hands Should, surely, be in union wed 'Gainst life's quicksands— For people whose unhappy state Was, surely, in the hands of fate, Would make a combination great As iron hands. Long may your daring presence live And works instill, Long may your kingly reasons give A forceful will. Long may your glowing, useful days Shine forth their bright illuming rays, And to gloomy lives always A happy thrill.