XXXIX
TRIBUTES TO THE WORKERS
AHRENS.—EATON.—CLAYPOOL.—WEIMER.—WOLCOTT.—HALL.—DONALDSON.—BUCHANAN.
"Our lives are songs, God writes the words,
And we set them to music at pleasure;
And the song grows glad, sweet, or sad
As we choose to fashion the measure."
MARY A. FLICKINGER
Mrs. Flickinger is gratefully remembered for five years of untiring service as assistant superintendent.
The sphere of her observation and suggestion included all the women's work in the buildings, occupied by the students, and the special care of the garden and Boy's Hall. In connection with this daily oversight, there was always manifested a feeling of personal responsibility, to carry to completion at the end of the day, any unfinished work, that would otherwise prevent some of the larger girls from enjoying the privileges of the school, during the evening study hour.
Trained in her youth to execute speedily all the kinds of work, usually required on a well arranged farm, and also as a sewer and nurse, one proved a very valuable helper. She became the home physician, administering the medicines and caring for the sick. Her method of treatment included the prevention of some of the milder, but common forms of disease, by the regular administration of some inexpensive antidotes. These two principles were frequently expressed: "Self-preservation is the first law of nature," and "Prevention is better than cure." The young people were also encouraged to learn, how to keep and intelligently use, a few simple remedies in the home.