Born of a loving mother, Ellen Buckner, Prof. Cook partook of her gentle and mild manners. Her birth-place, Bowling Green, Ky., like most Southern towns, had nothing exciting or of special character that would impress a child of her refined nature. There was much to give pain and wound a tender heart, in such a hard life as was hers. The unsettled state of affairs at the time had much to occasion alarm. The war was in progress, and with beating heart the mother awaited the settlement of those great questions that had been appealed to the sword, the rifle, and the cannon. On the decision depended the question whether little Mary should rise to the splendid heights in the power of the free, or sink to the insignificance of a fettered slave, with crushed powers.
To one familiar with history, it need not be recounted that she had little chance for learning; she had the appetite, but the food was not at hand. Little by little, she advanced in the inferior schools of the place, till, by her winning manners and perfect lessons, she was acknowledged to be the best scholar in the city. She won signal honor in the small private schools, which is as grand a thing among the home folks, as larger prizes among strangers. Three schools were in a spelling contest for a silver cup which was offered by Rev. Allen Allensworth, a gentleman who did much to encourage her; and being last on the floor she was proclaimed victor. Again, in a teachers' institute, September 30, 1881, a book was offered by a Mr. Clark, a white gentleman, who was stationer in the city, for the best reader; and amid the crowd gathered from near and far the book was awarded to her. The jury was a mixed one, of white and colored citizens. The judges selected the piece to be read, after they assembled. She repeated these triumphs in the State University.
When the Rev. C. C. Stumm, pastor of the State Street Baptist church, of which she is a member, started an academy, he called her to assist him. The pay was small, and she
