The farmers were partial to the lessons on conservation of the soil such as, “Run and tell the farmer that the brook is stealing his soil”; the lumberman preferred the one on keeping down the forest fires, and so the different lessons appealed to different students. I had occasion to note their preferences when at the reading contests in various counties each student was permitted to choose the lesson that he would read. In Cumberland County in a contest among the pupils of the colored moonlight schools, “Uncle Ike,” a great character among them, was given the honor of being the first to read. He mounted the platform with book open in hand and began the reading of a selection which seemed very appropriate. I will take my bath every day. It will keep me fresh and sweet and clean. In Clay County, another of the mountain counties, a large crowd of men and women gathered for a contest. Among them was a tall, lank, under-nourished man, who rose and with a look at his wife that carried indictment read this lesson with peculiar emphasis: God made man. Woman makes bread. It takes the bread That woman makes, To sustain the man That God made. But the bread That some women make. Would not sustain any man That God ever made. In the same contest a little woman with a baby in her arms rose to read and in a gracious manner worthy of a Frenchwoman said, “This is my favorite lesson,” and read the author’s letter to the pupils of the moonlight schools: Frankfort, Ky. Nov. 5, 1915. DEAR FRIENDS: This little book was written especially for the dear boys and girls of the moonlight schools, not the youngest perhaps, but the finest school children on earth. You have set a fine example for both young and old, and one which many will surely follow. You have been faithful and have finished the first of the series of the Country Life Readers. The second is now ready for you, and the author hopes that you will read it with profit and pleasure. The world has great need of men and women who read well and write well. These are two of the greatest arts, and remember that they can be acquired only by constant practice. The preparation of this book has been truly a labor of love. If you have received any benefit from it, the author is fully repaid. Yours sincerely, CORA WILSON STEWART. This reader, known as the _Country Life Reader, First Book_, was followed by others in the series, but none could do for the illiterates what this first book did for them, and none to them would ever be so precious. The reader ended, as did the later ones, with appropriate Bible selections. The climax of each book was a Thanksgiving hymn.