IMH 75:2 173

"Chronicles of Upper Burnet" (1)

1881

Wednesday, February 16th.

Jake came down about ten o'clock en route for
Fowler's He stopped here awhile and when he went on I went
with him. I was at Fowler's awhile and at noon went on over to
Effie's school to be present at "Commencement" as this was the
last day. A dozen or fifteen visitors in all, I guess, came during
the course of the afternoon. There were three lessons recited,
the rest of the time being given to declamations readings,
closing act of prize presenting etc. All went off smoothly and
nicely all things considered. The "school marm" went afoot
home with Wat. I went down to Mrs Allen's(61) with Will Bain
staid till dark and went with him to meeting at Bethlehem. A
not very big congregation listened to a good sermon from Mr.
Moore which was succeeded by an exhortation wrenched from
the quivering lungs of Hemp Lewis and delivered at the top of
his powerful voice. The preacher was twice moved to hint very
plainly about order. I got home at nine o'clock. Father went
down to the creek this morning, got in and got his feet wet. The
O'Neals were still gathering corn in the clover patch to-day.
Father afterwards went down to the creek road and broke the
ice that was in it. The day was nearly clear and not uncomfort­
ably cool.

 

Teaching note: Ask the students if they can figure out why school ended
so early ( mid February). The likley answer was that the students would
have quite if they did not end school, for they were needed to prepare
for the soon to be planting season.