Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-05-23

"Have you made the study of these subjects
a speciality, that you are so familiar with
them?"
"Oh no, not all. am fond Of reading,
and knowing this is an age prolific in inven'
tions and scientific research, 1 take an inter
est in noting those things which consider
particularly valuable"
II should think, though, you had given
some of them much study"
"Perhaps have more than my last remark
would indicate, for I have large family
growing up with few advantages, and I read
and talk with them great deal on whatever
we think important or interesting. Some one
reads aloud an hour or more every night, after
supper, and then we review and criticise the
article under consideration. We often have
as animated discussions as if the fate Of ma
tions' was depending; and have to think
carefully on many subjects to explain correct
ly and give my children right views. 1t is
easier to put correct ideas into their heads
than get wrong notions out, 80 I may study
more than I was aware Of"
II think you must, from some Of your con.
versation this morning." said Mr.. Henry.
"And do your children like so much read
ing? I should think they would dislike the
sight of book" said Mr.. Elliott, who cared
for little beside the papers Of the day, and
thought all children hated learning.
"They never weary oft. 1t is a perpetual
source of pleasure. Some of them are old
enough to review work quite sensibly."
"What style of books have you read with
your children ?" asked Nh. Henry.
"The first two years of the war, we took in
hand number of old standard works, which
are rather dry to most young people, yet are
expected to be familiar to all reading persons.
Then we took up history, the modern poets,
and enough light reading to keep US from
yielding to the spirit of gloom, anxiety, and
croaking, which seems to taint the moral at.
mosphere of the community"
"Then you think light reading has a use p
said Mr.. Henry.
30 yes, but 1t must not be trash. Scott,
Dickens, Thackery, and some Of our Ameri.
can writers, are a blessing to the world.
Of all authors, in my department Of litera'
ture, give me Irving. He is delightful. He
throws charm over the dryest details, or the
dullest incident. In my estimation he has nc
peer"
"When man is enthusiastic over an au'
thor, it is easy to see what his taste is, and ]
must confess I agree with you in regard to Ir.
wing. Is he the one your family have in hand
now2"
Mr.. Henry was more interested than Mr.
Elliott, and did no: suffer Mr.. Wright to be
silent from want of incentives to talk on.
"No. We are selecting passages from his
tory, and am constantly disappointed" )" and
an absent, thoughtful look stole over his face
"In any particular respect ?" inquired Mr.
Henry.
"In regard to the state Of a country after a
civil war is over; and histories are wofully
barren on that subject. Chapter after chap.
ter is devoted to leading men, their acts, char.
acters, and motives while the actual state Of
the country, the efforts and means of the peo.
pie to recuperate their crippled energies, and
the things which contributed most to restoring
prosperity are scarcely mentioned, or are hud'
died into brief chapter in such general terms
they give no information. Now, I consider
that the people who are left broken up, and
despoiled-as they are where the armies have
been for nearly four years-are going to have
as hard time when the war is over as now.
We may soon be as badly situated as they
who have stood the storm so long, and when l
look to history for lesson of wisdom to take
shelter under in that day, the pages are nearly
blank. I fear I shall have to 60 to that dear
school which experience keeps, whether fool
ornot;" and Mr.. Wright's genial nature shone
out again, driving the light cloud from his
face.
Mr.. Elliott looked at his neighbor in sur
prise; he began to see more in him than he
had found out in all the years since he had
met with him. But for Mr.. Henry's visit,
and his characteristic manner of putting
people in their proper light, and keeping them
at their ease, Mr.. Wright would not had the
opportunity of giving himself justice in Mr..
Elliott's eyes. Mr.. Elliott lacked the art of
making himself congenial to those he fancied
little beneath him in position; he could be
patronizing and condescending, but it took a
third party-his wife, Grace, or some one like
MI. Henry-toput him en- rapport with them /;
but it must be said to his credit, he was not
wilfully blind, and when he did see merit, did
not contemn it.
"Now you speak of it, MI. Wright, it strikes
me histories are in fault in that respect
Though I have never read one from the mo-
tive you mention, it is a practical idea, which
we shall soon have to put into practice"
"Don't you two men begin to croak, and
talk gloomily," said Mr. Elliott. eve shall
see such prosperous times as never were known,
when we have conquered and become an in
dependent nation"
"Prosperity is not the immediate attendant
of any war, especially a civil one," answered
Mr.. Wright.
"But we'll show the world new lesson.
The South is bound to be great, powerful, and
prosperous"
Mr.. Elliott was determined to impart his
hopes and spirit to both if possible; but while
neither was detected, they could not share his
views of the FUTURE Mr.. Henry, because he
thought the South was nearly conquered
Mr.. Wright, though doubtful which way the
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