Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-04-13

nation In the pedago9lcal art But her
memory had long ago lost in the inverse ra-
ito Of its acquisitions, till she could scarcely
be said to know her letters. Often did she
bitterly regret her idleness in the carly
school house, and exclaim as she fondly kis-
sed her children, on returning at night from
the toilsome hunt
If had only learned to read, | could
now teach you, my dears.' And her tears
would drop like rain
At length an incident occurred, that
brought with it suggestion shaping itself
into fixed plan, whica enabled her finally
to vanquish the perplexing difficulty. The
aHthor cinnot do better than give the anec-
dote in her own artless words, as related to
him IN Texas, some twelve months ago.
used to cry about it every night she
said, before going to sleep, and then would.
dream it all over again, for indeed it was
sad to think Of. knew that by hard work
we would, after while, be we'll enough off
to move into the settlements, where decent
people live; and then | thought how shock.
ing it would seem for my young ones to
have no moro learning than the wild Indians.
The boys were getting more than half as
tall as their father, aud Pegyy's pretty head
was even as high as my shoulders. 1t was
enough to make fond mother cry.
| was then in the habit of going every
two or three months to Little Rock with a
pack of peltrles, to buy salt and other things,
that we could not get along without One
time brought back some punches of raisins
for the baby. They were wrapped up in a
large newspaper, which contained a number
Of curious pictures. The sheet was gazed
at with wonder by the poor creatures. who
had never seen such an article in their lives.
Little Tommy asked me with sparkling eyes
if it were not bird. | tried to explain
the matter to him; | told him what it was
that it contained tale about the whole
world, and that when persons learned to
read it, they could know all afaigs which
were going on across the blue mountains,
and the big rivers, and away over the sea,
as we'll as the sights they saw every day be-
fore their own doors.
y, ma. won't you teach US how to read,
so we can hear from our old play places in
Missouri :? said Peggy, who was then al
most awoman.
The question like to have broken nv
heart. remembered how lazy had been
when girl, and the idea was sharp shoot
ing pain, splitting my side into my very
soul. | wept like child, until even my
own children tried to comfort me- Howev-
er, my tears did me good. Tears always
relieve the heart Trey commonly clear the
head also. A sudden thought struck me
a great plan might say holy purpose.
1t seemed impossible, but L resolved to try
it.
That night I hurried the young folks of
to bed, and having kindled good pine knot
light, picked up the newspaper, and sat
down to see if [ could make out anything
in it. [ smiled with unspeakable delight
on discovering that | still knew the letters,
except the capitals. But | soon had cause
to weep again; for, after doing my best, and
sitting up till daylight. every line remained
a riddle | could not spell out the meaning
Of single sentence.
| About sunrise new notion entered nv
head. determined to 90 again shortly to
Little Rock and purchase some primers and
spellrng-books, which afterwards did.
then began to learn in earnest. 1t was very
hard for while; but / sat up late, after
Tom and the children were all asleep, and
took my primer along with me when
went to hunt. could study it as | rode
especially where the woods we're open
before | got within reach of game anC
then, when was resting, after lifting
deer upon the pony, or walking up a steer
hill, would pull it out of a pocket which
had prepared on purpose in the side Of IN,
dress; and run over the pages till at las
could almost repeat the whole from memory
| then commenced on my large spelling
/ book, and mastered that in the same way
All the while wanted to be teaching thC
children, but was afraid of teaching then
wrong, intending first to make myself per
feet, because thought it was no use to know
anything at ALL unless one could know
right.
While thus engaged, lost hunter stop
ped few days at our cabin, and discover
ing my studies, kindly offered to assist me
then found that had done we'll in not be
ginning to instruct the boys and Peggy soon
er | had to unlearn the pronunciation 0
great many of my words, that sounde,
lrightfully when compared with the correc
mode.
After got straight, bought prime
for each one of the children. and colIectin
them all together one Sunday morning, toll
them that was going to teach them how t
read. It would have done your heart goo
to have seen them. They appeared to
running mad with joy, for they still remcm
bcred what had said about the newspaper
and had teased me much upon the subject
Night after light they would sit vi till twelve
studying in their primers and spellin
!, books and all day on the Sabbath the
tried more industriously than ever had don
IN the school-room, until at last they wer
through both books But was still ahea
OF them-for long before then | had obtain
ed Testament and the Life of Marion, an
had gone over both several times. In th
! way taught my dear young ones to reac
having hrst ofall taught myself.
. FOR the literal historical accuracy of tt
! foregoing extraordinary facts, We refer
j Mrs. Holleys Book on Texas, where sl
refers to Mrs. More, although in her narr