When I was five years old, we lived in Akron, Ohio. My father was working at the "Danner Press". One of the major things that they published was comic books. Every day my father would bring home a different comic book for me. While looking at them, when there was a word that I didn't recognize, I would ask my father what it was. He would tell me what it was and explain to me what it meant. Because of this, when I started my schooling, I was reading at a third grade level. Years later, we discovered that I suffer from dyslexia.
People who have dyslexia have difficulties with reading, spelling, and mathematics. A person with dyslexia does not see the individual letters or numbers in the way that they are written, their mind moves the sequence of them. They see all of the letters and numbers, but, they are not in the proper order. Because I had learned to read by recognizing the WORD. I was able to read well. I have always had difficulties with spelling and general mathematics. Thank God for spell-checks and calculators. When in high school, I excelled in Algebra. Because of learning this, I can do mathematics in my head, much quicker than the average person can do with paper and pen.
My grandfather only went to the 5th grade of his formal schooling, but, he read everything that he could get his hands on, in his spare time. He was the most knowledgeable person I have ever met, on a great many subjects. He was terrific at making accurate observations. I learned many problem solving techniques from him, as well as my father. Neither of them, talked down to you, they spoke to you as an equal as to your ability to understand.
My father taught me the things that would help me to survive in this world, without the help of anyone else. He made sure that I knew how to cook, wash and iron clothes, sew, keep a clean house, fix machinery of all kinds and automobiles, and the printing trade. His attitude was that if it was man-made, another man could fix it and probably improve on it. He taught me that when I was doing something, not to take shortcuts, but, to do it right, and not to get discouraged.
I was an average student in high school. I was in the middle of ranking of our graduating class. With the exception of a few subjects, I was bored with the subjects that were required. I enjoyed English (with Mrs. Kriell) and Literature (with Miss Semple) classes very much. Algebra (with Mr. Patterson) and Problems Of Democracy (with Mr. Hoffman) were also two favorite subjects.
I was an avid reader and read mostly the books by Mickey Spillane and Agatha Christie. It was in Miss Semple's class, that I learned to appreciate non-fiction books, poetry and prose. Since graduating from High school, about 99% of my reading has been non-fiction.
One semester we were required to read and learn the poem THANATOPSIS by: William Cullen Bryan, and to recite it from memory, in front of the class.
We were also required to read all of the 22 parts of THE SONG OF HIAWATHA by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and to write a critique on it. We were required to read the 22nd part, "Hiawatha's Departure", in front of the class.
We were also required to write a poem and to turn it in.
The last requirement was to read to the class any poem of our choice. I choose the following.
The Face On The Bar-Room Floor
by H. A. D'Arey
'Twas a balmy summer evening and a goodly crowd was there,
Which well nigh filled Joe's bar-room, on the corner of the square;
And as songs and witty stories came thru the open door,
A vagabond crept slowly in and posed upon the floor.
"Where did it come from?" some one said. The wind has blown it in."
"What does it want?" another cried. "Some whisky, rum or gin?"
"Here, Toby sic' him, if your stomach's equal to the work
I wouldn't touch him with a fork, he's filthy as a Turk."
This badinage the poor wretch took with stoical good grace;
In fact he smiles, as tho he thought he's struck the proper place,
"Come boys, I know there's kindly hearts among so good a crowd-
To be in such good company would make a deacon proud.
"Give me a drink-that's what I want- I'm out of funds, you know,
When I had cash to treat the gang, this hand was never slow,
What? You laugh as tho you thought this pocket never held a sou,
I once was fixt as well my boys, as any one of you.
"There, thanks; that's braced me up nicely; God bless you one and all;
Next time I pass this good saloon, I'll make another call.
Give you a song? No, I can't do that, my singing days are past;
My voice is cracked, my throat's worn out, and my longs are going fast.
"Say!! Give me another whiskey, and I'll tell you what I'll do-
I'll tell you a funny story, and a fact; I promise, too.
That I ever was a decent man, not one of you would think;
But I was, some four or five years back, Say, give me another drink.
"Fill her up Joe' I wan to put some life into my frame-
Such little drinks, to a bum like me, are miserably tame;
Five fingers-there, that's the scheme- and corking whisky too.
Well, her's luck, boys; and landlord, my best regards to you.
"You've treated me pretty kindly, and I'd like to tell you how
I came to be the dirty sot you see before you now.
As I told you, once I was a man, with muscle, frame and health.
And but a blunder, ought to have made considerable wealth.
"I was a painter -- not one that daubed on bricks and wood,
But an artist, and, for my age, was rated pretty good.
I worked hard at my canvas, and was bidding fair to rise,
For gradually I saw the star of fame before my eyes.
I made a picture, perhaps you've seen, 'tis called the "Chase of Fame."
It brought me fifteen hundred pounds, and added to my name.
And then I met a woman-now comes the funny part-
With eyes that petrified my brain and sunk into my heart.
"Why don't you laugh? "tis funny that the vagabond you see,
Could ever love a woman, and expect her love for me;
But 'twas so, and for a month or two her smiles were freely given,
And when her loving lips touched mine it carried me to heaven.
"Boys , did you ever see a woman, for whom your soul you'd give,
With a form like the Milo Venus too beautiful to live;
With eyes that would beat the Koor-i-noor, and a wealth of chestnut hair?
If so 'twas she, for the there never was another half so fair.
"I was working on a portrait, one afternoon in May,
Of a fair haired boy, a friend of mine, who lived across the way,
And madeline admired it, and much to my surprise,
Said that she'd like to know the man that had such dreamy eyes.
"It didn't take long to know him, and before the month had flown
My friend had stole my darling, and I was left alone;
And ere a year of misery had past above my head,
The jewel I had treasured so had tarnished, and was dead.
"That's why I took to drink, boys. Why I never saw you smile,
I thought you'd be amused, and laughing all the while.
Why, what's the matter, friend? There's a tear drop in your eye,
Come, laugh, like me; 'tis only babes and women that should cry.
"Say, boys, if you give me just another whisky, I'll be glad,
And I'll draw right here a picture of the face that drove me mad.
Give me that piece of chalk with which you mark the baseball score-
You shall see the lovely Madeline upon the bar room floor."
Another drink, and with chalk in hand, the vagabond began
To sketch a face that might buy the soul of any man.
Then as he placed another lock upon the shapely head,
With fearful shriek, he leaped and fell, across the picture, dead.
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Mostly because of the motivation of my Grandfather, my Father, Mrs. Kriell, Miss Semple, Mr. Patterson, and Mr. Hoffman; I was motivated to continue my education.
I did not start college until I was 30 years old, but, I took correspondence courses on Business and on Religion. At the age of 30, with a wife and three children, we moved to Philadelphia, were I worked nights at a newspaper and attended college during the day.
I have been fortunate enough to earn an undergraduate degree in Bible Studies, as well as graduate degrees in Psychology and Sociology. The degrees and diplomas mean very little -- they are just pieces of paper that I got for sitting in classrooms and listening to lectures, etc. The valuable part for me, was the learning more about my world, my country and people of all backgrounds. This has enabled me to make better decisions, to think more clearly, and to be better equipped to help others. But, most of all, to make a difference.
CLYDE
