human
Well, said Catou,
gpt
Sirs, welcome to Gran' Point' school.--Sidonie, Crébiche, Claude, rest in yo' seats.
human
Mo' betteh you tu'n 'em loose, I t'ink, said Catou amiably;
gpt
I rather they stay,
human
We dawn't want no mo' school!
gpt
From what cause?
human
Sir--sirs, no use? 'Tis every use! The schoolhouse? 'tis mo' worth than the gole mine. Ah! sirs, tell me: what is gole without education?
gpt
Ed'cation want to change every thin'--rellroad--'migrash'n.
human
Change every thing? Yes!--making every thing better! Sirs, where is that country that the people are sorry that the railroad and the schoolhouse have come?
gpt
I t'ink dass all humbug, dat titchin' English. What want titch English faw?
human
Sir, cried Bonaventure,
gpt
He leaned forward and smote his hands together.
human
What was it? 'Twas English education!
gpt
Yass, he said, in an unconvinced tone;
human
And yet--I do! And the time approach when you shall know! Sirs, I make to you a p'oposition. Time is passing. It must be soon the State Sup'inten'ent Public Education visit this school. The school is any time ready. Since long time are we waiting. He shall come--he shall examine! The chil'run shall be ignorant this arrangement! Only these shall know--Claude, Sidonie, Crébiche; they will not disclose! And the total chil'run shall exhibit all their previous learning! And welcome the day, when the ad_ver_saries of education shall see those dear chil'run stan' up befo' the assem'led Gran' Point' spelling co'ectly words of one to eight syllable' and _reading from their readers_! And if one miss--if _one_--_one!_ miss, then let the school be shut and the schoolmaster banish-ed!