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Marschalk would die this summer, so he could never come back and keep school.’
As it happened, the good old man did fall ill and die, to the great consternation of his little pupil, who could not make it quite clear to his conscience that his naughty wish had not something to do with his teacher's death.
After this, in accordance with the judgment of his parents and with his own consent, he was sent from home to school at St. John's College, at
Fordham, near New York.
How he fared there extracts from some of his own weekly letters shall show, beginning with one written on his return to school, after a short visit home:—
dear mother,—I got here safe and sound, and have n't felt hungry yet, though it is not far from supper-time.
I wish you had n't sent me here while you are on the island, because I want to be there; and now I shall have to stay up at this old place.
I'm sure I sha'n't want to come here after vacation, for I hate it like everything.
We forgot to carry that accordion to be mended this morning.
I wish I did n't feel this way every time I go home.
The boys that were homesick when they first came here are not so now, even that little one who used to be crying all the time; and I'm homesick whenever I go home, and I always feel ugly when I think of home.
I wish you would n't want me to go away to school; I don't see why I can't study just as well at home.
I began with Sam; and see where he is now, in Virgil, a long way ahead of me. Don't forget to take that accordion the next time you go to the city.
I feel real ugly.
Your loving son,
On the 1st of September he ran away from school and went to New York, where his mother and sister were on a visit.
His father took him back very soon, and in a few days he wrote as follows:—
St. John's College, September 7.
my dear mother,—I received your letter yesterday.
It would not have made me feel homesick at all, if I had seen you. I don't know the reason, but I felt just the same as if I were going anywhere else.
I wish you would give me those
Waverley Novels for a birthday present, or I think I could take care of a watch now
