Evening star., 1935-09-01
September I, 1885

self strong What il you are lame? You have
the best mind of all my children We're poor,
but education is free as air. When you're
through the lower school. I'll help you 60 to
college"
ITO college. Mother" Thad tried not to
cry but sobs burst from his throat.
MY trick" said Thaddeus Stevens to the
men playing at cards with him in his office in
Gettysburg
Twenty-one years had passed since Thad-
deus. young graduate of Dartmouth, had
left his native state of Vermont to seek his
fortune in the rich valley of the Susquehanna
he was forty-three years old now. portly, but
muscular. The brilliance of his piercing blue
eyes was undmmed Unquenchable faith and
courage shone in those eyes: qualities which
had enabled him to triumph over physical
handicap and achieve an envable place in
the history of our land
On this warm day in April, 1888. Thaddeus
and the three men sat at ease without their
coats, absorbed in friendly game Thaddeus
had just gathered the cards to shuttle them
when the door opened abruptly and man
stepped into the office.
Good evening" said Thaddeus. What's
on your mind9"
The newcomer shouted. Your constitu-
ents sent you to the Legislature to vote
against free schools. not for them"
That S true - the short sighted fools"
Well repeal the law. Well never elect
you again. You've ruined yourself. So has
Governor Wolf ruined himself
Please close the door when you 90 out"
said Thaddeus He swung his leg over the arm
of his chair. Rich Pennsylvania with no free
schools. Barren Vermont" - Thaddeus mar
rowed his eyes: he saw himself sitting on the
shoemakers bench, felt the icy air blowing
through chinks against his back. Barren
Vermont with free schools and none in Penn
syvania.'
we have a kind of free school," said his
neighbor to the left
"A kind - you're right The rich pay, and
the Others must declare themselves paupers.
Paupers! My mother - but why talk? Your
deal. Pete"
There was the sound of tramping feet.
Thaddeus laid down his cards, leaped to the
door and flung it open In the family lighted
street stood a hundred men,
Down with free schools" they yelled.
Hatred of learning makes strange bed
fellows. sneered Thaddeus Il see Demo-
Gratis. Wings, Anti-Masons, what not. What
do you WANT"
I'VE repudiate your vote for free schools!
We promise the repeal of your infamous law!
Well petition!''
Thaddeus shut the door with bang. He
went strdng up and down the room, his
lower lip thrust out
How shall men vote unless they are in
formed? How can they be informed unless
they are educated? Penn's Frame of Govern
ment promised free schools, but no Pennsyl-
vanian can get free schooling unless he writes
himself down a pauper. There's no one in
Pennsylvania much poorer than we were.
Would my mother have branded us baubers'"
He struck his fist into his hand. "If they
repeal that law, it Il be because I'm dead,'
Fruit trees were in blossom hard woods
coming into leaf and Thaddeus was again on
his way to Harrisburg. He had been away
from the Legislature attending to committee
business in Philadelphia and was now re-
turning. The School Law was untouched
that was his chief concern.
He could see from afar the Capitol on a hill
ot~,,A n.<, Il t1E& Alxac -.