I was in deep perplexity, because I knew
that the teacher would demand of me at least two names, and I had only
one. By the time the occasion came for the enrolling of my name, an
idea occurred to me which I thought would make me equal to the
situation; and so, when the teacher asked me what my full name was, I
calmly told him "Booker Washington," as if I had been called by that
name all my life; and by that name I have since been known. Later in
my life I found that my mother had given me the name of "Booker
Taliaferro," soon after I was born, but in some way that part of my
name seemed to disappear and for a long while was forgotten, but as
soon as I found out about it I revived it, and, made my full name
"Booker Taliaferro Washington." I think there are not many men in our
country who have had the privilege of naming themselves in the way that
I have. . . .
The time that I was permitted to attend school during the day was
short, and my attendance was irregular. It was not long before I had
to stop attending day school altogether, and devote all of my time
again to work. I resorted to the night school again. In fact, the
greater part of the education I secured in my boyhood was gathered
through the night school after my day's work was done.
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