My Brother's Keeper My America 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
were capable of doing terrible things. This, Jed said, was the worst truth of all.
When Jed finished, time seemed to stand still. None of us spoke. There was only the sound of Jed weeping.
August 20, 1863
Today Jane Ellen gave Jed a new copy book. She gave him a new pen, too.
I stood in the doorway and watched her put them into his hands.
78
She told him that he must write. She spoke as if she were talking to a pupil.
Jed looked up at her with surprise.
"Write your thoughts about the war," she said firmly. "You must." Then she turned and left the room.
Jed stared after Jane Ellen, as if he had just seen her for the first time.
August 25, 1863
First day of school. A number of children were not present, including Betsy and Sally. Their families ha%e not returned. Word has spread that Gettysburg is still blighted with death.
But I was there. So were the McHenry boys, the Wallace girls, Sue Peterson, and John Scott. And our new school mistress -- Jane Ellen McCully.
79
How odd to have Jane Ellen for a teacher!
But I did not ask her for special attention or favors. In fact, I even called her "Miss Jane Ellen" while I was at school.
August 27, 1863
When I came home from school today, I was greeted with a wonderful sight and a wonderful sound.
I passed by Jed's room and saw him writing in the copy book Jane Ellen had given him.
Then I heard Pa playing his violin in his room. He was playing a tune I had never heard before. Several times he stopped and started over again. It sounded as if he were learning a new song.
80
I am sitting on top of Cemetery Hill. There is still a faint smell of death in the air. But today all the church bells in town rang again.
At our church, Reverend McCully said he thinks Gettysburg is starting to seem more like its old self. He said that more and more shops are opening back up, and some farmers are planting a late crop.
He said many buildings, though, will long show the scars of the battle. He has counted over 250 bullet holes in the trunk of one big tree near the battlefield.
Reverend McCully said the marks of the bullets should always remind us of those who died for the cause of freedom and union.
He also said that the battle of Gettysburg has turned the tide of the war against the Confederates.
81
I am again sitting on top of Cemetery Hill. The birds are singing. Indeed, the hilltop this afternoon is noisy with bird song.
Pa will go back to teaching his music lessons at the seminary tomorrow.
Jed often sits on the porch and writes in his copy book.
I give thanks every day that we are all together again and safe.
September 7, 1863
Jed called me and Pa into the parlor today. Jane Ellen was there with him.
Jed said he wanted to read to the three of us. He did not open
The Death of King Arthur.
Instead, he opened the copy book he had been writing in.
82
He began to read in a low voice. He read about how he had been captured, how he had escaped and been wounded, how he had crawled past countless dead men and horses.
Jed had written about many horrible things. But he had written in a clear and beautiful way. He wrote what he saw and what he heard. He wrote what he truly felt and what he truly thought about the war.
He said the war has shown that all citizens in this country -- Northern and Southern -- are capable of evil deeds. He said we are tied to our humanity by only a slender thread. So we must all strive every day to be more loving and kind.
When Jed was finished, all of us praised his wonderful writing.
Jane Ellen even said she wanted to share it with the McCullys and Mr. Hoke.
83
At first Jed said no.
But Jane Ellen was firm. She said everyone should hear his story.
September 16, 1863
Important news today.
Reverend McCully stopped by our school to announce that Governor Curtin is going to buy property near Gettysburg for a cemetery for the Union dead.
It will be on the north end of Cemetery Ridge -- where the wheat field, apple orchard, and cornfield
When Jed finished, time seemed to stand still. None of us spoke. There was only the sound of Jed weeping.
August 20, 1863
Today Jane Ellen gave Jed a new copy book. She gave him a new pen, too.
I stood in the doorway and watched her put them into his hands.
78
She told him that he must write. She spoke as if she were talking to a pupil.
Jed looked up at her with surprise.
"Write your thoughts about the war," she said firmly. "You must." Then she turned and left the room.
Jed stared after Jane Ellen, as if he had just seen her for the first time.
August 25, 1863
First day of school. A number of children were not present, including Betsy and Sally. Their families ha%e not returned. Word has spread that Gettysburg is still blighted with death.
But I was there. So were the McHenry boys, the Wallace girls, Sue Peterson, and John Scott. And our new school mistress -- Jane Ellen McCully.
79
How odd to have Jane Ellen for a teacher!
But I did not ask her for special attention or favors. In fact, I even called her "Miss Jane Ellen" while I was at school.
August 27, 1863
When I came home from school today, I was greeted with a wonderful sight and a wonderful sound.
I passed by Jed's room and saw him writing in the copy book Jane Ellen had given him.
Then I heard Pa playing his violin in his room. He was playing a tune I had never heard before. Several times he stopped and started over again. It sounded as if he were learning a new song.
80
I am sitting on top of Cemetery Hill. There is still a faint smell of death in the air. But today all the church bells in town rang again.
At our church, Reverend McCully said he thinks Gettysburg is starting to seem more like its old self. He said that more and more shops are opening back up, and some farmers are planting a late crop.
He said many buildings, though, will long show the scars of the battle. He has counted over 250 bullet holes in the trunk of one big tree near the battlefield.
Reverend McCully said the marks of the bullets should always remind us of those who died for the cause of freedom and union.
He also said that the battle of Gettysburg has turned the tide of the war against the Confederates.
81
I am again sitting on top of Cemetery Hill. The birds are singing. Indeed, the hilltop this afternoon is noisy with bird song.
Pa will go back to teaching his music lessons at the seminary tomorrow.
Jed often sits on the porch and writes in his copy book.
I give thanks every day that we are all together again and safe.
September 7, 1863
Jed called me and Pa into the parlor today. Jane Ellen was there with him.
Jed said he wanted to read to the three of us. He did not open
The Death of King Arthur.
Instead, he opened the copy book he had been writing in.
82
He began to read in a low voice. He read about how he had been captured, how he had escaped and been wounded, how he had crawled past countless dead men and horses.
Jed had written about many horrible things. But he had written in a clear and beautiful way. He wrote what he saw and what he heard. He wrote what he truly felt and what he truly thought about the war.
He said the war has shown that all citizens in this country -- Northern and Southern -- are capable of evil deeds. He said we are tied to our humanity by only a slender thread. So we must all strive every day to be more loving and kind.
When Jed was finished, all of us praised his wonderful writing.
Jane Ellen even said she wanted to share it with the McCullys and Mr. Hoke.
83
At first Jed said no.
But Jane Ellen was firm. She said everyone should hear his story.
September 16, 1863
Important news today.
Reverend McCully stopped by our school to announce that Governor Curtin is going to buy property near Gettysburg for a cemetery for the Union dead.
It will be on the north end of Cemetery Ridge -- where the wheat field, apple orchard, and cornfield