Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-11-21
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Il
ner he ain't," explained Mr.. Yancy
somewhat enigmatically.
There are quite a number Of chill
dren at Scratch HIP" suggested Mrs
Ferris.
Yes, ma'am, so there are; body
would naturally notice that.
And no school-not church event.
continued Mrs. Ferris in a grieved
tone.
Never has been," rejoined Yancy
cheerfully. He seemed to champion
the absence of churches and schools
on the score Of long usage.
But what do the people do when
they want to go to church," ques-
toned Mrs. Ferris.
Never having heard that any of 'em
wanted to go l can't say just offhand
but don't you fret none about that,
ma'am; there are churches; ones up
at the. Forks, and there's another at
Balaam's Cross Roads"
But that's ten miles from Scratch
Hill, isn't it?"
It's all of that" said Yancy. He
sensed 1t that the lady before him
was a person of much force and ener-
gy, capable even of reckless innova-
ton. Mr. Yancy himself was innate
ly conservative; his religious inspira-
ton had been drawn from the Forks
and Balaam's Cross Roads. 1t had
seemed to answer very well. Mrs.
Ferris fixed his wavering glance.
Don't you think it is too bad, Mr..
Yancy, the way those children have
been neglected? There is nothing for
them but to run wild"
well, 1 seen some right good chill
dren fetched up that-a-ways-smart,
too. You see, ma'am, there's a heap
a child can just naturally pick up of
himself"
"Oh!" and the monosyllable was ut
tered rather weakly. Mr.. Yancy's
name had been given to her as that of
resident Of weight and influence in
the classic region Of Scratch Hill.
Miss Malroy came to her friends res
cue.
Mrs. Ferris thinks the children
should have a chance to learn at home.
Poor little tots!-they can't walk ten
or fifteen miles to Sunday school, now
can they, Mr.. Yancy?"
Bless yo' heart, they won't try to!''
said Yancy reassuringly. Sundays a
day of rest at Scratch Hill. So are
most of the other days Of the week,
but we all aspire to take just a little
mo- rest on Sunday than any other
day. Sometimes we amt able to, but
that's our aim"
do you know the old deserted cab
in by the big pine?-the Blount
place." asked Mrs. Ferris.
Yes, ma'am, I know it."
81 am going to have Sunday school
there for those children; they shan't
be neglected any longer if 1 can. help
it should feel guilty, quite guilty!
Now won't you let your little nephew
come. Perhaps they'll not find it Sc
very terrible, after ALL" From which
Mr.. Yancy concluded that when SHE
invaded it, skepticism had rested as
mantle on Scratch Hill.
Every one said we would better
talk with you, Mr.. Yancy, and we were
hoping to meet you as we came
along" supplemented Miss Malroy, and
her words of f1attery were waited to
him with so sweet a smile that Yancy
instantly capitulated.
Il reckon you-all can count on ms
nevvy," he said.
When he reached Scratch Hill, ir
the waning light of day, Hannibal, In
state of high excitement, met him
at the log shed, which served as g
barn.
It hear you-all have been entertain
ing 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 a special tenderness.
There's going to be a school in the
cabin in the old field" said the boy
May go?-Oh, Uncle Bob, will 20.
please take me?"
"When's this here school going t,
begin, anyhow"
Tomorrow at four o'clock, she
said, Uncle Bob
she's a quick lady, amt she? Well
expected you'd be hopping around
on one leg when you named it to me
You wait until Sunday and see what
do fo' my nevvy," said Yancy.
He was as good as his implied
promise, but the day began discour'
agingly with an extra, and, as it seem
ed to Hannibal, an unnecessary
amount of soap and water.
You owe it to yoself to show
clean skin in the house of worship
Just suppose one of them nice ladie!
was to cast her eye back of yo' ears
Shed surely be put to name it off
hand whether you was black or white
reckon I'll have to barber you some
too, with the shears"
What's school like, Uncle Bob?
| asked Hannibal twisting and squirm
ing under the big resolute hands of th'
man.
Il can't just say what it's like?"
why, didn't you ever go to school
Uncle Bob?"
| Didn't 1 ever go to school! Wher'
do you reckon l got my education
anyhow? l went to school seVera
times in my young days"
"On a Sunday like this?"
No, the school l tackled was on
week day"
Was it hard?" asked hannibal, wh'
was beginning to cherish secret mis-
givings; for surely all this soap ant
water must have some sinister por
tent
We'll, some learn easier than 9th
ers. 1 learned middling easy-it didn'
take me long-and when l felt l know
ed enough l just naturally quit ant
went about my business"
But what did you learn" insisted
the bOy.