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40
OTIS M. SHACKLEFORD.

New York, two summers, which has strengthened his ability to impart knowledge, and at the same time increased his knowledge of the Latin and English literature, which subjects he is giving special attention.
   
Mr. Shackleford has written many poems; some of lofty themes, which have been published in such metropolitan papers as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and in many local papers.

In speaking of him, the Post-Dispatch says: "Shackleford has the imagination of a poet, as the following verses, entitled 'Are They Dreams?' indicate:

'Sweet is the solitude of one who alone
Takes a peep backward o'er the path he has come.
Sweet are the visions 'neath the childhood's sun
Sweet is the remembrance of one's happy home.
Tell, O tell me, are they different from dreams,
These sweet recollections and childhood's scenes,
These visionary paths of the forest green,
The musical flow of the woodland stream?
Tell me, O tell me, if here down below,
Where mosses and ferns and sweet flowers grow,
Where music and song with strain soft and low;
Be a sweet dream of Heaven, or do you know?"

Mr. Shackleford worked out a method of teaching reading which he found very successful. He arranged it and sent it to one of the educational magazines and it was published, with some complimentary remarks as to its merit. 
 
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41
OTIS M. SHACKLEFORD

He has in manuscript a book of poems and essays, which the reading world will ere long receive.

Some of the most important subjects are: "Music," "The Poets," "The Lincoln Institute Fire," "The Wail of the Wanderer," "The Great Mexican Ten-Cent Show," "The Passing of Spain," "Our Souls," "Light After Darkness, or A Song of Freedom," and many article of prosaic nature.  "Bits of History" in verse is row on sale in pamphlet form.