April 15, 1898, was Alice Moore Dunbar's last day as a teacher in the Brooklyn public school system. She had married Paul Laurence Dunbar on March 6, but they continued to live separately in distant cities. During this era, married women weren't allowed to teach school, and Alice wanted to continue working until the end of the academic year, so she had to keep her marriage a secret. However, Paul didn't want to be apart from his wife, so he persuaded Alice to resign and move to Washington, D. C., to live with him.
Public School 66. Noon-hour.
Just as I wrote this, I was seized and hustled off to the lunch room to have my "farewell feed." After the luncheon, there was a whisper and a flurry and one of the teachers appeared with a huge brick of cream and a tray of cakes, and I was informed that it was a compliment to the "bride." There are eleven of us in the building and a jolly time we had, and the principal gave us fourteen minutes overtime. Then they cast lots for my apron -- which by the way was the daintiest one I had -- of black satin and pink silk. One teacher, a confirmed spinster, won it, put it on and announced that she would be next. I mounted a desk and made a speech, and my chum in her joy poured hot tea in her boots and howled. Then with much show I was presented with some flowers and the bell rang. I am scribbling this ere I get out for good. I have an idea some trick is going to be played on me. The final goodbyes are to be said.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, April 15, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
A newspaper account published later in the year made it seem as though Alice's departure was a complete surprise to her supervisors at school.
Paul Laurence Dunbar is now a resident of Washington, having come to the Capital a year ago to take a position in the new National Library. Here he has a pleasant home, to which a few months ago he brought a bride, and the story of his wooing is romantic in the extreme, and altogether befitting a poet. A few years ago, when they were little more than boy and girl, a correspondence began. This correspondence was continued for one or two years before Mr. Dunbar met the lady, then Miss Alice Ruth Moore, and a teacher in one of Brooklyn's public schools. Soon after meeting they became engaged, and eight months ago they were quietly married in Brooklyn, the intention being to keep the marriage secret until Mrs. Dunbar should finish the school year, then not far from its close. Mr. Dunbar then commenced the creation of a home for his wife but after it was in complete readiness for its awaited occupant he could not wait the allotted time but hastened over to Brooklyn one day and carried off his wife from the midst of her school duties, leaving the authorities in some consternation and confusion.
"People and Happenings in Washington." The Home Magazine (Washington, D. C.). December, 1898. Page 3.
In reality, Alice had informed her supervisor, Samuel Scottron, of her plans to leave the school two weeks in advance.
I handed in my resignation today to take effect April 15. Saw Mr. Scottron. Well, I never spent a worse hour. He was hurt, disappointed and chagrined at the idea of my resigning. You see I was being made a test of, and my going leaves a vacancy which must be filled by a white teacher as there is no colored one ready. So an avenue is closed again. But when I told him I was married he was all smiles, congratulations and well-wishes. Said he didn't blame me, and said things about poets which were nice enough to induce the most obdurate editor to buy a Spring poem.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, March 31, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
In a newspaper article published the following year, Scottron spoke kindly about Alice and her departure from the school.
I appointed a colored lady, now the wife of a colored poet, Paul Dunbar, to school No. 66. When she left for her wedding she received an ovation from the other teachers who had worked with her such as I never have seen equaled.
"Scores of Negroes Now Teach School." New York Herald (New York, New York). December 27, 1899. Page 6.
While passing through New York months after her resignation, Alice encountered Scottron again.
By the way, Mr. Scottron has offered me my school back if I want it. I wonder if he thinks we are hard up.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, September 23, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).