Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing series which runs each Thursday morning titled the Richland Chronicles Volume 4, by author Paul Lintern. It is set in the 1830s and tells the story of Richland County through the eyes of young people. This is the fourth in a series. Volume 1 was Amelia Changes Her Tune. Volume II was Isaac and Wolf Paw Find Their Home. Volume III was Autumn Keeps Her Secret.
What if I can’t do the work? What if the teacher doesn’t like me? What if I can’t figure out my numbers? What if I have to spell hard words like, well every word is hard ‘cause I don’t know how to spell.
Esther was scared. Mr. Gamble was starting a school at his mill and the families that lived on nearby farms were sending their children.
Why did Father have to say yes to Mr. Gamble? I don’t need to learn to read yet. I’m 10. Let that wait till I’m married and have time, she thought.
“Esther, unhitch the wagon, you’re dawdling like an old hound dog. Father says get dressed now and he will comb that bird’s nest of hair you have. I want to leave before the sun turns yellow.”
That was Estel, her 12-year-old brother, who had always taken to reading and numbers like he was born a scholar. He impressed the neighbors with his ability to measure grain and count crops. At church, the older folks loved to listen to him read the Bible aloud.
Everybody loves Estel, Esther thought. Wait’ll they find out about his dumb sister.
“I’m coming,” Esther said. “Now get down the ladder and let me get dressed.”
“I will, but not till I see your feet on the floor,” Estel replied. “Don’t be throwing the quilt back over your head.”
Esther’s father was frying eggs and had a wheat cake set aside for each. The warmth of the fire betrayed the chilliness that would meet anyone going outside, and the smell of the bacon he also had set in the pan was filling the cabin with an aroma that could pull a hibernating bear out of bed.
Esther hurried getting dressed and climbed down the ladder from the loft at the end of the cabin, as she thought of breakfast blocked her dread of school — for a moment at least.
“There’s my honey muffin,” Father said, as Esther’s feet hit the floor. “I knew the sizzle would get you sizzling. Now, eat quickly so Estel doesn’t have to hound you anymore.”
Breakfast was good; Esther’s father always saw to that. She couldn’t remember a time when it wasn’t Father doing things for her.
Esther was three when her mother died, and only a few blankets and a couple of bonnets remain for her to touch her memories of those first days.
Everyone said her father would get married again, that she would have a new mother, but so far no one had been added to their family. And that was all right with Esther.
Her father was perfect, as far as she could tell, and she could learn everything she needed to from Estel who, although he was rather bossy, also was a helpful boss.
“Now, this hair,” Father shook his head. “How ‘bout I just get the goat shears and give you a spring cut?”
Esther giggled.
“B-a-a-a-a-a-a-d idea,” she said, whinnying like a goat as she said it.
Estel chimed in, “I’m for it; it won’t make us late.”
“What about the goat when I’m gone?” Esther asked, hoping for a reason to not go.
“He’ll be fine, so will the chickens, and the plow horses, in case you were looking for an excuse,” Father said.
Esther grimaced that she was so obvious.
“Look pumpkin,” Father said, stepping around to see Esther face to face. “You are ready for school, and you don’t have to get the best marks, just get the learnings that you need. You will use them the rest of your life. It will be fine; you’ll see.
“Now, get your hat on and get out of here!”
Fine, but if I don’t learn anything, don’t blame me. I’m just not made for school, she thought.
The two students started down their path, two ruts from wagon wheels. They were walking about a mile to the next farm, to Samantha and Tristen’s house, who were the same ages.
“Do you think the teacher will like me?” Esther asked.
“What a silly question,” Eston answered. “Of course not. Teachers only like boys who are smart and quick to learn. They don’t like dumb girls.”
“Why you…” and Esther looked at her brother’s half-smile and heard his laugh as she punched him in the arm.
“You’ll be fine. Relax. This really is easy, if you pay attention. And don’t worry, I’ll be glad to help anytime you need it.”
“Thanks, Estel.”
“As long as you do my chores.”
Esther punched him again as he ran ahead down the lane.
“Hurry up, Sis. I want to get to Tristen’s and see Samarai before we have to move on.”
Esther pulled up her long dress above her knees and the race was on.
