The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-12-05
A DIVIDED B0USI
Story of the Civ
War in Missouri.
BY SIDNEY e. POWELL.
Notp First Published.
CHAPTER II.
BY SIDNEY e. POWELL.
No,p First Published.
CHAPTER II.
GETTING AN EDUCATION.

GHTTlN9 AN EbUCAiloN M,
Az John Dabney walked slowly -
the house from the old hickory tres
reading his book as he walked, the
thought come to him that Ellie had
a dreary life in that big old house|
with its closed shutters, dark cof-
ners, silence and gloom. Whist
pleasure did she have9
"What have l DONE" he asked
himself, "to make 1t pleasant for
herr" M
He had never thought Of II before
but now it struck him very plainly
that the child was sadly neglected,
II not mistreated. He knew his
mothers exacting spirit so well that
he despaired of making her task
lighter in the house. He could not
help her in that way, but he could
be kinder, more sympathetic, more
sociable as Charlie had always beeh
and had no doubt cheered many a
dreary hour for her.
The thought came to him, too, a. a
revelation, that the child was not be.
ing educated. Her father had left
her some money, he did not know
how much, but Mrs. Da5ney often
affirmed that it had been consumed
upon her, and there was nothing left
to educate her, consequently she
must earn her living in the kitchen
and do without an education.
To John an education was every
thing. He pitied any one who from
any cause was deprived Of 1t. And
this girl who was twelve years old,
and an inmate Of his mothers family
was growing up entirely ignorant.
SIT must not be-" he said to him
self, sit will be inhuman and wicked
to treat her thus"
Within himself he made the resolve
to have her educated. But how to
accomplish it was a puzzle to him.
1t vas not in John Dabney's nature
to scheme Or maneuvre, perhaps if
1t had been, the dreadful scene would
have been avoided, that TRANSFERRED
In the sitting room that night, after
Ellie had retired to her room.
Mrs. Dabney was busy with her
knitting. Her stitches we're dropped
and she could not pick them up.
"Let me pick them up, MOTHER"
said John, kindly taking the knit
ting from her.
Shave you taught Ellie how to
knit, mother?" he asked a. he picked
up the stitches.
eyes, but she hates to do any
thing, and makes q botch Of all she
goes at. She can't knit now as well
as you do"
81 suppose not, for I have served
an apprenticeship at it. But mother
was thinking to-day, Ellie ought
to 60 to school. She is twelve years
old, and has never been sent q day.
I think I taught her to read, the
little she knows about it."
81 taught her myself" Mrs. Dab
ney said shortly. "And she knows
enough for any use she'll have for
1t. She is lazy enough now without
going to school,"
Laziness was one OF Mrs. Dabney's
horrors, and notwithstanding Johns
fondness for books, she always ASSOC
dated reading with Ia mess, and
going to school, as the means chiefly
of acquiring that habit.
"But, MOTHER" john said earnestly
looking in her face rs he handed the
knitting back, cit Is not treating the
child right to let her grow up in
ignorance-I am sure II father had
lived, he would mot have suff cred
It,"
If John had searched to his utmost
for something unpleasant to say Il
his mother, he could not have beer
more successful than to present THU
little reminder Of his fathers kind.
ness of heart.
"It il no business of yours, sfr,
whether she is educated or not, an6
I would like to know what hal
started you to meddling with her
and debating to me. You had bettel
attend to your own business
think"
John said no more, but Cbarli,
unfortunately fred up as he usually
did, and jumping to his feet in greal
excitement declared 1t was dog meal
, to treat the child In that way.
!, "She 10 treated worse than an,
negro on the place." he added, "ant
I suppose You are trying to keep he
! as ignorant as one."
q 0uno "AoEAo5 oAo oau hnAuAiy rofNah
who had been Mrs. Dabney's nurs
8 when she was q baby, was rouse'
from a nap by Charles loud tone
about the negroes, and starting u
from her corner screamed for "Mar
John.n
"What Is the matter, Aunt Mariaa'
John asked, coming back into tn
|. room, for he had made his oscap
8 in dread Of the scene he knew was q
o hand.
sob, Mars John come here an
: stand twixt ole Miss and Mars Charlie
She's gwine to kill dat chile some {
desc days I know"
49, a---- -