Harvard memorial biographies ...

2 Harvard Memorial Biographies.
tion, and whose public services and pathetic death are recorded in these volumes, - Ezra Martin Tebbets. In such
society his college course became a period of great enjoyment,
and he always looked back upon his classmates with pleasure:and with regard. He preserved with interest a large collection
of papers relating to college matters, and placed them in the
charge of his mother, as objects of special care. He was faithful in the discharge of all his college duties and bore an honorable part in the Junior and Senior Exhibitions, and in the
services on Commencement Day.
After leaving Cambridge he returned to his home, which was
at that time in Salem, Massachusetts. Having enjoyed the
benefit of a State scholarship, he considered himself bound to
engage for a time in the occupation of teaching, and had indeed previously written to his friends: "I hope to show by
my life as a teacher, and in any other profession in which I
may engage, that I can appreciate the kindness and indul-.
gence of my father at its true value." As, however, no opening immediately offered itself, he began the study of law in
November, 1859, in the office of Messrs. Perry and Endicott
in Salem. It is pleasant to his friends to look back on the
enjoyment which this last period of peaceful life afforded him,
and the generous kindness which he received from the legal
gentlemen above named. At the same time he enjoyed his
home and home comforts most thoroughly, and the sound of
his cheerful voice and of his springing, joyous step was like
sweetest music there. He seemed to be overflowing with joy,
and the desire to impart this feeling to others was not wanting.
He was eager to relieve distress when it was in his power to
do so. He would seize a plate of food while the family were
still at the table, and, before they were aware of his intention,
would pour the contents into the basket of a poor child at the
door, and returning, say with a smile, " There, mother, we
shall never need that"; or, taking a shivering little one into
the kitchen, would place her upon a chair with her feet upon
the stove, and with an injunction to "sit still until thoroughly
warmed," at the same time not forgetting the necessity of
relieving hunger.