I was extremely bashful, had no social aptitude, and was
likely to stutter when anxious or embarrassed, yet I seem to have
made a good impression. I was much liked in school and out, and
was fairly happy. I seem to see sunshine over all when I look back
there. But it was a long summer to me. I had never been from home
more than a day or two at a time before, and I became very homesick.
Oh, to walk in the orchard back of the house, or along the road, or
to see the old hills again--what a Joy it would have been! But I
stuck it out till my term ended in October, and then went home,
taking a young fellow from the district (a brother of some girls
I fancied) with me. I took back nearly all my wages, over fifty
dollars, and with this I planned to pay my way at Hedding Literary
Institute, in the adjoining county of Greene, during the coming
winter term.
I left home for the school late in November, riding the thirty miles
with Father, atop a load of butter. It was the time of year when
the farmers took their butter to Catskill. Father usually made two
trips. This was the first one of the season, and I accompanied him
as far as Ashland, where the Institute was located.
I remained at school there three months, the length of the winter
term, and studied fairly hard.
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