Those interested in the circulation of this journal and others, frequently report interesting characters found among their clientele. Some tell of mothers with large families, struggling for existence, too proud to accept charity. Others report of Grouchlia that assails its victims in violent spells when the latter has bills a month or two in arrears. Interesting and varied are the stories centered around characters known and studied by circulation men, but the most interesting, yet pathetic characters of them all are the adults unable to read or write.

It sounds incredible at a time like this, that there are so many right in our midst who can neither read nor write, to whom the printed page means nothing. Lack of the simplest knowledge for them forms a curtain, too dark to penetrate, that shuts them off completely from the light of intellect. This is indeed a deplorable condition and one that slowly perhaps, but surely may be eradicated.

No Utopian ideas will be advanced towards this eradication. The problem is too simple for that - the complexity centers around those who are in a position to aid the less fortunate to learn at least two of the threes Rs "reading and 'riting".

The most pathetic report this week was made concerning a woman who was around fifty years of age. She was standing at a window in the bank waiting her turn to have a check cashed. The reporter was standing behind her when the clerk showed her where to sign her name. She looked blank, for a moment, and then reluctantly made an "X" on the check, saying she couldn't write.

Pope was off key when he said in one of his precepts that, "A little learning is a dangerous thing." A little learning on the contrary is very helpful, if for no other reason, one is able to read the label on bottles so that he may not confuse carbolic acid with vanilla. A night school for adults is really a necessity, not only in Charlottesville, but in all cities. This problem could be easily solved for it does not require much time or money. If the professional men and women of our city would organize themselves into a sort of "Help the Intellectually Meager" club and devote a couple of hours a week a to training adults in night school, think of the great amount of oil that may be produced to help make the well of progress move more smoothly. Such a service as this may not grace the pages of history but it will become indelibly written in a place more enduring, more everlasting; it will be written in the hearts of men.