The Ion negroes were paid liberal wages, and yet as kind and generously
cared for as in the old days of slavery; even more so, for now Elsie
might lawfully carry out her desire to educate and elevate them to a
higher standard of intelligence and morality.
To this end Mr. Travilla had added to the quarter a neat school-house,
where the children received instruction in the rudiments during the day,
the adults in the evening, from one of their own race whose advantages
had been such as to qualify him for the work. There, too, the master and
mistress themselves held a Sunday school on Sabbath afternoons.
Aunt Sally, the nurse, also instructed the women in housewifely ways,
and Dinah taught them sewing; Elsie encouraging and stimulating them to
effort by bestowing prizes on the most diligent and proficient.
Eddie came in from his first lesson in the use of firearms, flushed
and excited.
"Mamma, I did shoot," he cried exultingly, "I shooted many times, and
papa says I'll make a good shot some day if I keep on trying."
"Ah! did you hit the mark?"
"Not quite this time, mamma," and the bright face clouded slightly.
"Not quite," laughed Mr. Travilla, drawing his boy caressingly toward
him. "If you please, mamma, do not question us too closely; we expect to
do better another time. He really did fairly well considering his age
and that it was his first lesson."
"Papa," asked Vi, climbing his knee, "were you 'fraid Eddie would shoot
us if we went along?"
"I thought it safer to leave you at home."
"Papa, mamma's going to take us walking down to the quarter this
afternoon; we're to be there when the bell rings, so we can see those
funny dogs."
"Ah, then I think I shall meet you there and walk home with you."
This announcement was received with a chorus of exclamations of delight;
his loved companionship would double their enjoyment; it always did.
'Twas a pleasant, shady walk, not too long for the older children, and
Harold's mammy would carry him when he grew weary. They called at the
school-room, witnessed the closing exercises, then visited all the aged
and ailing ones, Elsie inquiring tenderly concerning their "miseries,"
speaking words of sympathy and consolation and giving additional advice;
remedies too, and some little delicacies to whet the sickly appetites
(these last being contained in a basket, carried by a servant).
As they left the last cabin, in the near vicinity of the post where hung
the bell, which summoned the men to their meals, and gave notice of the
hour for quitting work, they saw the ringer hurrying toward it.
"Oh, mamma, we're just in time!" cried Vi, "how nice!"
"Yes," said her sister, "mamma always knows how to make things come out
right."
Every negro family owned a cur, and at the first tap of the bell they
always, with a united yelp, rushed for the spot, where they formed a
ring round the post, each seated on his haunches and brushing the ground
with his tail, with a rapid motion, from side to side, nose in the air,
eyes fixed upon the bell, and throat sending out a prolonged howl so
long as the ringing continued. The din was deafening, and far from
musical, but it was a comical sight, vastly enjoyed by the young
Travillas, who saw it only occasionally.
Mr. and Mrs. Travilla were walking slowly homeward, the children and
Bruno frolicking, jumping, dancing, running on before. After a while the
two little girls grew somewhat weary, and subsided into a soberer pace.
"Vi," said Elsie, "Don't you believe Aunt Delia might get better of
those 'miseries' in her bones, if she had some nice new red flannel
things to wear?"
"Yes; let's buy her some," and a pretty dimpled hand went into her
pocket, and out came a dainty, silken purse, mamma's gift on her last
birthday, when she began to have a weekly allowance, like Elsie and
Eddie.
"Yes, if mamma approves."
"'Course we'll 'sult mamma 'bout it first, and she'll say yes; she
always likes us to be kind and--char--char--"
"Charitable? yes, 'specially to Jesus' people, and I know Aunt Delia's
one of his. How much money have you, Vi?"
"I don't know; mamma or papa will count when we get home."
"I have two dollars and fifty cents; maybe Eddie will give some if we
haven't enough."
"Enough of what?" queried Eddie, over-hearing the last words as he and
Bruno neared the others in their gambols.