and leave in April, getting an imperfect knowledge of things, to their credit be it told, they learn—­some cannot learn life’s lessons—­and there has been lately a gratifying eagerness to be present at every recitation during the whole year.  I do not think one has left this year who could possibly remain.  When the floods came and many of them learned that their homes were under water, in some cases the savings of many years in buildings and stock washed away, they came to us saying they must go as they could no longer pay, but we told them to wait.  White-winged missives flew over Uncle Sam’s postal way, and back from many a church and Sunday-school came the needed aid, and—­save in the case of some young men who had to care for helpless ones at home—­none left.  From these last came many an interesting story of the heroic efforts to save life and property.  The skill to wield tools, acquired in our shop, helped many a one to build a “flat” in which family, stock and furniture could be floated to dry land.  Many had to work night and day up to the waist, sometimes to the neck, in water to save what might be.  It will be a hard year, the coming one, for many in the parishes of this State, though no doubt work will be plenty as soon as the water is down.

Temperance In Tennessee.
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This is certainly a very interesting field, not going backward but forward.  The temperance reform has made a clean sweep of the whole village, and in union with the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union at the station is fast pushing the saloons to the wall.  The most striking feature of the case is that they have learned how to work in the absence of their leader.  Two weeks ago last Sabbath night they held their own meeting—­a Bible reading institution among themselves, by the way, at which many were present—­and the old revival spirit broke out afresh to such a degree that the last of their friends, to the number of eighteen, who still clung to their cups, made haste to sign the pledge of total abstinence.

Items.
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Letter From A Graduate Of Straight University.

There was an examination held in this city recently for clerkships at Washington.  The announcement of it in the newspapers and the certainty of the successful applicants receiving appointments drew a large number of young men to the examination, among whom were Tulane University graduates and several principals of high schools.  I had the honor of sustaining the reputation of “Old Straight,” by leading the list.  The affair created much local excitement and the name of Straight University is commanding much respect.  I am pleased at the prospect of the increased opportunities a residence at Washington will afford me for the prosecution of my medical studies.

* * * * *

Fisk University is well represented in the journalistic world, says the Tennessee Star.  The following graduates are pushing the quill:  S.A.  McElwee and W.A.  Crosthwait, editors of the Nashville Tribune; H.C.  Gray, editor of the Galveston Test; R.S.  Holloway, associate editor of the Dallas Tribune, and Geo. T. Robinson, editor of the Star.