The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-04-29
TINE dfsfLrSxx a m lrouor
HOUSE.

Wbrn tbe oHtf epu 0t UautSl HFAko
born with no s'aiiver spoon In his mouth.
Li2 parenss sought TO supply tho dmecieu
ey ~ gsslag hiuAsa ilInssslsus rAus
Consequently shs baby vas acArisssns'
.scIpls Dsnisa DsEs. " y @s w
| We've gin him h6ss'ry and : Scripsn'
lssne. ssid his mother proudly; and that
better sssrt than many . genslemsn'
son gets; and ! hope I mArciful Prov
denos viii Iced him. tih be ssss 10 sh'
Land a glosy.
we win pass over thirteen years o
youug Scipio's life. and present him Agsil
) scholar in public school Of Woboset
village. Following the minister's advice,
the boy ssizAd oil ths sducationai sdvan-
tasss vishis hk reeck ssd he's hops
ths rsassr Win don n preludiss agains'
color, when Iconfess the blood 10 his
vsins was fully three fourths African.
Scipio studiAd hard. despite bis retreat
ing forehead, proved TO be really teach
alba, and stood we'll in bis clAsses. HI
could not chalk his face and mako il white,
therefore there was : wide gulf between
him and bis schoolmates, and be was usu-
ally silent and solitary.
There vas ons boy who felt humiliatsd
and vronssd by being brought into con-
tact with negro Alfred Grant was the
son Of : wealthy Manufacturer, and be
possessed, also. - large capital in con-
Get and tyranny that be Was often called,
alfred the Great" He hated Scipio,
and improved every opportunity TO insult
and abuse him, and the boy bore his ILL
treatment with submission Of bis race. and
kept plodding on.
One morning, while the first class in
arithmetic we're occupying the recitation
seats. Mr.. Howe, the master, was called
into the hall. and remained some time
talking with one Of the committee. Al
fred had Just been sent to the blackboard.
and after the door closed, malicious pur-
pose started into his eyes. He had taken
private lessons of Mr.. Hammont, the artist,
and inherited marked talent for sketch
ing from his dead mother. Taking chalk
pencil, he began drawing the outline Of
q figure on the board. Every moment or
two be glanced at Scipio as be worked.
The pencil under the skilled hand made
stroke after stroke with surprising rapidi-
ty, and in very short space Of time, :
complete outline ofScipio appeared.
The likeness was perfect. II had the
bold power Of genuine artist and was .
grand production for beginner. There
was the low forehead, fiat nose, thick lips
and woody hair Of the negro. No one
could fail 70 see an exact resemblance.
Then Alfred wrote in large plain hand
underneath, "This is portrait Of Scipio
Daniel Drake. our colored gentleman.
A low laugh ran through the class, and
the contagious merriment Was Joined BY
the other scholars, while few olapped
their hands in applause. but very quietly.
70 that no unusual noise could reach the
ears Of the teacher in the hall. Scipio
was studying hard, with his eyes fixed on
his book, till boy nudged him and
pointed to the blackboard. He saw there
was picture Of himself, and sharp pain
darted through his heart. He could not
turn pale, and his dark skin hid the hot
blood which sprung to bis cheeks; but be
drew his arm across his eyes, and under
his sleeve great tears fell thick and fast.
Alircd glored in The spsctssls oi bis sor-
row. and laughed triumphantly, while he
kept close watch Of the door with the
brush in his left hand. ready to erase
he picture with dash the instant it
opened. bA 3 #f
Soon voice Was heard from behind:
Alfred, II you persevero. you will make
! fine painter.
He gave q start Of surprise, and turned
lnickly around. There stood Mr.. Howe
surveying his work. He had
'cturned noiselessly TO the school.room by
mother door.
Your hand is good, but your heart is cru.
Il. be said 10 severe tone.
Alfred grew very hot and red. Mr..
Howe walked to his desk and opened tho
'cl,ool register. and put down ! certain
mark against Alfreds name. showing
yrosa misconducs. and pointed i out to
lin. A sum was then given him to per-
orm on the board, but his agitation and
'e1stion made il impossible for him to
yet the right answer, He failed, also. 10
irving rule, and made such ridiculous
intakes that his classmates could not
estrain their laughter.
Whom the session was over. the scholars
we're dismissed 10 order. Alfred followed
;cipio on 70 the playground. fhd gave
i'm smart blow on the shoulder.
Nigger, be cried fercely, you have made
ne get two black marks to-day. Show
rour black face here again II you dare.
We don't asssci4te With colored gentry IN
his part Of the country.
Scipio vouchsafed no reply. He star
ed for home, and had reached the riyer
shen the sound OF hurried feet from be-
ind made him turn around. Alfred was
blowing him. and il "a instant hs seized
i'm by the collar with . powerful band. Il
Promise me you'll keep clear Of the
chool house, or I'll lick you to nothing.
ION can't bolt. he yelled sAvageIy.
Don't see Why hsven't right to go, IL |
am black. Dad pays tax. /.
A poll tax. and my father pays three
,undred dollars. Pretty talk for
,ieger. Guess you need little water (
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