They were to be paid something above the cost of their board for their work.
The greater part of their earnings was to be reserved in the school's treasury as a fund to be drawn on to pay their board when they had become students in the day-school, after they had spent one or two years in the night-school.

In this way they would obtain a start in their books and a knowledge of some trade or industry, in addition to the other far-reaching benefits of the institution.
General Armstrong asked me to take charge of the night-school, and I did so.

At the beginning of this school there were about twelve strong, earnest men and women who entered the class.

During the day the greater part of the young men worked in the school's sawmill, and the young women worked in the laundry.

The work was not easy in either place, but in all my teaching I never taught pupils who gave me much genuine satisfaction as these did.