Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-19
,-.-1 C.ouvYieht 1871, The Bobbs MerrlI Company
tCHAPTER 1I.-Continued.)

(CHAPTER I.-Continued2
When he reached Scratch Hill, in
the waning light of day. Hannibal. in
state Of high excitement, met him
at the log shed, which served as a
harm.
II heard you-all have been enter
tanning visitors while Uncle Bob was
away" observed Yancy, and remem.
bering what Crenshaw had told him,
he rested his big hand on the boys
head with special tenderness.
There's going to be school in the
cabin in the old field!" said the boy.
May$I go?--Oh, Uncle Bob, will you
please take me
.'Whens this here school going to
begin, anyhow
Tomorrow at four O'clock, she said
Uncle Bob
She's a quick lady, amt she? Well,
I expected you'd be hopping around
on one leg when you named it to me.
You wait until Sunday and see what |
do TO- my newly" said Yancy.
He was as good as his implied
promise, but the day began discourage
ingly with an extra and, as 1t seemed
to Hannibal, an unnecessary amount
of soap and water.
You owe it to yo'self to show a
clean skin in the house of worship.
Just suppose che OF them nice ladies
was to cast her eye back Of yo ears!
She'd surely be put out to name it
offhand whether you was black or
white. reckon I'll have to barber
you some, too. with the shears
Whats school like, Uncle Bob?''
asked Hannibal, twisting and squirm-
ing under the big resolute hands OF
the man.
II can't just say what it's like"
Why, didn't you ever go to school,
Uncle Bob?"
Didn't ever go to school! Where
do you reckon got my education, any
how? I went to school several times
in my young days"
1On Sunday, like this?"
'No, the school tackled was on a
weekday
"Was it hard?' asked Hannibal, who
was beginning to cherish secret mis-
givings; for surely all this soap and
water must have some sinister por-
tent!
We'll. some learn easier than 9TH
ers. learned niddling easy-it
didn't take me long-and when felt
II knoWed enough just naturally quit
and went on about my business
But what did you learn?" insisted
the boy.
"You-all wouldn't know if told you.
because you-all amt ever been to
school yo'self. When you've had yo'
education We'll talk over what learn
edit mostly come out of book. = He
hoped his general statement would
satisfy Hannibal, but 1t failed to do so.
whats a book, Uncle BOb?" he
demanded.
well. whatever body don't know
naturally he gets out OF book. L
reckon the way you twist, Newly,
mebby you'd admire TO- to lose an
cart and Mr. Yancy refused to furth-
err to discuss the knowledge he had
garnered in his youth.
Hannibal and Yancy we're the first
to arrive at the deserted. cabin in the
old field that afternoon. They found
the place had been recently cleaned
and swept, while about the wall was
ranged row of benches; there was
also table and two chairs. Yancy
inspected the premises with the eye OF
mature experience.
yes. it surely is a school: any one
with an education would know that.
Just look!-ain't YOU glad yo' Uncle
Bob slicked you up some, now you see
what them ladies has done TO- to make
this place tidy?''
Shy children from. the pine woods,
big brothers with little sisters and
big sisters with little brothers, drifted
cut of the encircling forest. Coinci-
dent with the arrival of the last OF
these stragglers Mrs. Ferris and Miss
Malroy appeared, attended by col
ored groom.
ut was SO good of you to come,
Mr. Yancy! The children won't feel
so shy with you here" said Mrs. Ferris
warmly, as Yancy assisted her to dis
mount, an act Of courtesy, that called
for his finest courage.
Mrs Ferris missionary spirit mani
Tested itself agreeably enough on the
whole. When she had ranged her
flock in a solemn-faced row on the
benches, she began by explaining why
Sunday was set apart for Gay Of
rest. touching but lightly on its deeper
Significance as day of worship as
we'll; then she read certain chapters
from the bible. finishing with the story
Of David, narrative that made a
deep impression upon Yancy, comfort
ably seated in the doorway.
Cant you tell the children a story,
Mr.. Yancy? Something about their
own neighborhood | think would be
nice. something with moral the
pleasant earnest voice of Mrs. Ferris
reused the Scratch Hitler from his
meditations.
yes. maam, reckon can tell EN-
a story He stood up, filling the door