Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-14


"Who pat this idea into your head, my
little girl? l know it never originated
there"
''Some thing l heard Henry Lee say one
night" her face drooping.
81 dare say he would feel flattered il he
knew the effect of his words"
"Imeant for him TO know some time"
MIR. Cammack smiled. "Oh! you do not
believe in secret good. You are young to
turn reformer.V
"But may we, grand-paPN
Don't be impatient. What do you
think OF this plan, Magdalen9 You look
grave. Does it rouse difficult thoughts
and qusstiOns?"
Eyes, sir.n
"Why do you wish to teach our negroes
educate themg'
81 had not thought Of it at all until Cor
della mentioned it, and | suppose IL is to
help her | want TO do it,"
Then Cordelias desire is to please Hen
~ Lee, and yours TO please Cordelia. SO
1t Is not so much for the negro as some
other motive. Well. that beng the case
| give my consent to this plan. 1t cannot
result in anything serious"
80 the next afternoon the young,
would-be teachers marched down to the
empty cabin standing in solitary state at
the end of the plum orchard, with crowd
of ragged little darkies struggling reluc-
family after them.
That cabin was supposed to he haunted
by the restless spirit OF an old white
headed negro, who, tradition said, had
been murdered there. The negro would
have been esteemed reckless indeed who
would have entered it after sunset, and
so 1t stood there stunned and deserted,
with do0rless entrance and half fallen
chimney.
Magdalen and Cordella carried foot
stools TO sit on, and ranged their scholars
on the floor before them. They were very
quiet, but dlscouragingly stupid that first
day. They watched the corners and the
great yawning fireplace with fear and
trembling, expecting every minute when
the ghost would stalk out and grab them.
''Oh, dear, l do not believe they will
ever even learn a letter." said Cordelia,
despairingly. ''Ike, what are you star
ing at in that corner? Have | not told
you to look here at this letterY'
miss Cadely, Pse aferd on dem are
ghostes," he said, in shrill whisper.
'But there are no such things as ghosts.
Make haste and study, and you will find
it out, too"
Fine out bout dis yer speritP Oh,
Lor l wud'ent see EN- fur nothin'"
Il did not mean that" began his teach
er eagerly, but the cowardly young rascal
took TO his heels, clearing the doorway at
one bound and scampering away towards
his own particular home. That was the
signal for a general stampede, and in an
incredibly short space OF time the room
was left TO the astonished teachers and
two or three Of the younger children, who
instantly began to yell at the top OF their
voices.
Cordelia looked at Magdalen and Mag
10
so far forgot their dignity as to laugh.
"A line beginning. truly" said Corde-
liza. "Shall we give it upp
"No, not yet. Wen do better tO-mOr-
row. Don't cry so, children, there is moth
ing to be afraid Of. Come and 90 to the
house with us"
When Magdalen once took hold Of any
thing che was reluctant 10 give it up, and
that night she lay awake fully an hour
and 1t was not unusual for her 10 be
asleep ten minutes after touching the
bed-studying out ways and means to
win the superstiuOus negroes to the
school house. At last she thought OF a
plan and fell asleep wishing morning
would hasten so she could test it,.
Quite early in the new day, before they
eat breakfast, she ran TO the "quarters''
and called she children together.
"NOw, how many OF you wish to come
to school this afternoonP
All kept silent.
"Well, [ have pretty picture book 70
give to the one who comes and learns the
most letters, and | know ghost story,
too, that intend to tell"
She did not wait TO hear what they
would have to say, but ran quickly back
home.
She did not tell Cordelia what she had
done, but waited 70 see the result, and 10
the children were all there.
NOW yer gwine tell bout dem ar
ghostes~ inquired Ike, boldly.
Eyes, after you learn the A, b, C's."
cam whar's dat are picter book what
yer promlsedP
''fIere it is. Keep quiet now, and listen
to the lesson"
Cordelia had printed the letters on a
slate, and she held II up before them, and
went over and over the column striving
zealOusly to impress the shape and name
of each letter on the memory Of her schOl-
ais. II was a trying task, but she had
the satisfaction OF knowing that she had
made a little progress. They made the
lesson short in order not TO tire their
scholars, and after 10 was over Magdalen
told them thrilling tale Of a haunted
house her father had once lived near
away of in Georgia, and how the ghosts
turned ont TO be nothing more than rats
and bats.
"And its nothing worse here. Why,
even if there were such things as wander
ing spirits they couldn't stay in the old
house," glancing critically around. but
ghosts don't live"
NANNY sees 'em," spoke up one small
boy in an awe-struck tone,
"Well, l know something that will
make them run away from you; that will
keep them from ever hurting you"
"LOr, what ken 10 be%
81 will tell you, when you learn 10 read. -
A twig suddenly snapped out under the
window, and, glancing up, COrdelia barely
suppressed a shrek OF terror, for a black,
repulsive face darkened the small win
dow. The children we're ready for flight
again, but Magdalen's quiet, steady voice
Gained them.
Don't be afraid; it's only Neal. Would
you like 10 learn 10 read, tOOi' she asked
him, kindly, but he vanished without
making any reply, and tnen the picture
book question came up. Several claimed
10, aud a battle seemed imminent, when
the donor restored peace by giving each
one picture out OF II.
"Oh, dear, IL Is awful tiresOme to be
coOped up there" said COrdelia, when,
Diminishing school, they came out Of the
cabin and started home. She stretched
out her slight arms, and drew q deep
breath. 10 was sunset. and dewy cool
ness stole gently over the land. The field
hands were coming In from work, few OF
the Young aud lusty ones chanting fam