mcmurry] FRED L. CHARLES 199 



rigid requirements in student's work. His demands from students 

 in the way of exact observation and skillful and accurate draw- 

 ing were sometimes regarded as over-exacting. He wished to 

 give his work a strong scientific quality that would command the 

 respect of scientific experts. He was also ambitious to develop 

 along the higher lines of scientific study and in a university career. 



One of his strong points was his devotion to nature study as 

 it was being developed in the grades of the common schools. He 

 was a successful teacher of children and they remember him 

 with pleasure. It was easy for him to get into friendly relations 

 with children and to lead them into interested observations. It 

 was our custom to ask the Normal School instructors to give 

 illustrative lessons with children's classes, and then submit to 

 criticism from other teachers. He was always willing to undertake 

 such trial work and submitted to criticisms with candor and good 

 will. In all these important duties and relations he exhibited 

 the qualities of an earnest, versatile and capable teacher. At the 

 same time he gave himself unreservedly to other more social 

 interests of the school in its broader life. In the early years 

 when we were developing and organizing the life of a new school 

 in those channels which have since grown somewhat strong 

 and traditional, Mr. Charles contributed much of social spirit 

 and leadership. He drilled the classes for years in their rehears- 

 als, public exercises and plays. He entered into their plans for 

 class entertainments and drilled them into successful perform- 

 ances. On the ball field he played vigorously in the games and 

 did not shirk the rougher work of athletics. In this latter respect 

 he showed much of physical hardihood, and entered fully into 

 the athletic training of the young men. 



And yet by natural temper and makeup Mr. Charles was 

 very sensitive, easily hurt by unkind or harsh treatment. He was 

 not exactly fitted for the rougher uses of life. He was too sym- 

 pathetic and sensitive to be a fighter. He was tender-hearted, 

 social and affectionate, and these qualities he retained strongly 

 into manhood. This gentler side of his affections showed it- 

 self noticeably in his relations to his mother especially and 

 later in his own home life. The affection between him and his 

 mother was remarkable and her death was a sore affliction to 

 him. His interest in church and religious life was strong, and 

 he was active and appreciative of efforts for moral and religious 

 progress. In the local politics of the town also he showed an 

 interest in needed reforms that surprised his friends. 



In these various ways Mr. Charles manifested the lively, 



