Gates Memorial Library was donated to the city of Port Arthur. Texas In 1918, by the widow of John W. ‘Bet a million’ Gates ( Of Texaco Oil fame.) He was called Bet-a- Million gates due to the fact he once bet a million dollars against a man, when two rain drops were spotted running down a window pane.They actually bet a million dollars on whose drop would come in first as they trickled down. Gates lost the bet. I spent many fond hours at that library. It was my second home as a child. It is now part of the Lamar University of Port Arthur Duplex, which used to be Port Arthur College , were Janis Joplin for a short time went to school. THE WIZARDLY WORLD OF BONE CHILLED DOORS On the climbing steps of the library I was impatient to go explore The granite columns stood ram rod straight I as I entered through bone- chilled doors The blast of magical mystery Lanes spinning their legendary lore Weaved worlds of fantasy fables As my mind hungered, and hungered for more Books heaved their yielding knowledge In print that smelled so sweet I could barely reach the third shelve I had to stand on tip-toed feet Pyramids, that laid in Egypt Dinosaur fossils from an old T-Rex Was somewhere in this wizardly world Within the kingdom of worded text Finally I picked a Nancy Drew Holding it closely to my chest Walking back down the stairs I read the etching above the crest Dedicated to the Advancement of Learning Well, Mr. Gates I’ll use my brain Ill never, ever bet, on a drip when it starts to rain….. *That year (’65) I won first place in the summer reading program by reading 126 books. I was given a ribbon which I kept until all the destruction caused by Hurricane Ike. I was actually asked questions to make sure I had truly read that amount. The 2nd runner up read 98. I probably could have read more, but we went on vacation that year. By Mary L. Palermo Copyright May 2014
Posted on: Mon, 12 May 2014 20:55:26 +0000
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