Sherman's Mahan Business College

Professor Mahan, standing and his wife, seated on the platform, conduct classes at the Mahan Business College, an early day college in Sherman. 

The college was located in the Opera house.  It was common during the early 1900s for teachers' desks to be on a platform. 
This seemed to engender a little more respect from the students.

(photo courtesy of H.H. Flemming)