The following story of Southern life and manners won a
prize offered by a Boston newspaper, and was written by a
young lady in Boston, a teacher in one of the advanced
schools of that city. She has never visited the South, but
the faithful local color and character drawing shows an
intimate acquaintance with the works of Mrs. H. B. Stowe,
Albion W. Tourgee and other well known chroniclers of
Southern life. Everyone living in the South will recognize
the accurate portraits of Southern types of character and
realistic description of life among the Southern planters.
"Will you go, Penelope?" asked Cyrus.
"It is my duty," I said. "It is a grand mission to go to Texas and
carry what light I can to its benighted inhabitants. The school I am
offered will pay me well, and if I can teach the savage people of that
region something of our culture and refinement, I shall be happy."
"Well, then, goodbye," said Cyrus, offering me his hand.