Even at that early and immature time of his life, Willard Glazier had thought much upon this subject—examples of the disjointed successes of all unplanned and unmethodical careers having been brought too frequently into close proximity to his own door, not to have made an impression upon his inquiring mind.
Hence, at the very threshold of his life as a teacher, he resolved to have plan and purpose clearly defined in everything he did.
CHAPTER X.
THE SOLDIER SCHOOL-MASTER.
From boy to man. — The Lyceum debate. — Willard speaks for the slave. — Entrance to the State Normal School. — Reverses. — Fighting the world again. — Assistance from fair hands. — Willard meets Allen Barringer. — John Brown, and what Willard thought of him. — Principles above bribe. — Examination. — A sleepless night. — Haunted by the "ghost of possible defeat." — "Here is your certificate." — The school at Schodack Centre. — At the "Normal" again. — The Edwards School. — Thirty pupils at two dollars each. — The "soldier school-master." — Teaches at East Schodack. — The runaway ride. — Good-by mittens, robes and whip! — Close of school at East Schodack.
Although a very boy in years, young Glazier felt himself already stepping upon the boundary line of manhood and, luckily for his future welfare, comprehended the manifold dangers and mentally realized the responsibilities which attend that phase of human existence.
Upon the fifth of February, 1857, the dull routine of a teacher's duty was varied by a visit made to Edwards by Willard's uncle Joseph, and his sisters; and, after closing his school, the former went home with his visitors, and thence to a Lyceum which had been established in the Herrick School District, where a debate was in progress as to the relative importance, in a humanitarian point of view, of the bondage of the African race in the Southern States, or the decadence of the Indian tribes under the encroachments of the Whites. The "question" assumed that the Aborigines were most worthy of sympathy; and young Glazier, being invited to participate in the discussion, accepted, and spoke upon the negative side of the question.
GOUVERNEUR WESLEYAN SEMINARY.