A Colored Skeptic

Wlien schools were established in the South for the eduoation of the negro they were eagerly patronized by the colored folks of all ages. Coy maidens of 30 and bashful lads equally old gayly trudged to school wïth diminutive primers in their hands, while the srnail fry swarined in the school-houses, and were enthusiastic on the education question. Of Pete, the subject of our anecdote. it mightbe truly writtcn that "ne'er did penoil trace a whiter eye or blaoker face." His former master, Dr. H , had taken great pains with him, instructing him daily in reading and writing. In the íall Pete -was to go to school, and anxiously looked forward to it. This was in 1869, when the sun was in total eclipse in August. There were all sorts of rumors amone? tb e colored people about ealiimities which would happen at the time of this phenomenon. A lew days bofore it ocenrred the foïlowing conversation took placo between Pete and a friend : " Pete, did yon know dar was gwine to be a 'elipse ob de sun next week ?" "Yes," said Pete, "I heard de folks talkin' 'bout it." "Pete, I hear dat-awful things is gwine to happen when it come. Dey say dat de world is gwine to come to an end." Curling his lip in scorn, and flxing his big white eyes on him, Pete answered with contenipt, " Go 'way, niggah. Don't you know dat school opens in September f How, den, can de world