Page:Autobiography of Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes.djvu/34

8 time, my father had departed and I was left inconsolable — a poor little castaway boy. It was impossible to pacify me and I cried myself to sleep and was taken to my brother's bed inconsolable and heartbroken. Young as I was, the impression is still on me & It is the first event of my life that I have any distinct recollection of. I was far too young to be entrusted to those who had control over me and I suppose it was only through dire necessity that I was sent away at that time. I can recollect distinctly my seat in school — a small wooden stool at the foot of Mr. Stryker's rostrum or raised platform, at one end, facing all the boys desks and it was little profit to me for I do not believe I even learned my letters. No attention was paid to me and I was left alone to amuse myself if I could in various ways, with now & then a firm growl from Stryker to keep quiet and make no noise. I sat there unhappy as a boy well could be & held in terrorism by the constant and repeated floggings with the ferule which the boys received for lack of study, noise or mischief.

The school was about 30 in number & they all boarded with Mr. S. except two or three gentlemen's sons in the neighborhood named Rutgers of Belleville. My brothers were of course my protectors, and many a fight they had on my account — particularly my brother Henry, who, more fiery than either my brothers Jack & Edmund, was ever ready to avenge the hazings some of the older boys gave me. I recollect distinctly the fight that occurred with a local Indian (there were 3 of them at School), ill tempered fellows and who were always teazing me in one way or another. In one of these [fights] the eldest of them drew his knife on my brother and attempted to stab him for which he got a severe castigation and was expelled from the School.

Mrs Stryker paid little or no attention to me. I was a great trouble, I suppose, to her in the mending of my clothes, and when the following vacation came round I was literaly in Rags and [that] was the cause of my being taken home. Thence I was sent to Mammy Dixon near Scarsdale in Westchester County who had a few day scholars and took me as a boarder. My father's partner, Major Popham, lived not far off and he, with Mrs Popham, took the care of me. This was a far more fitting place for one so young, and Mammy Dixon was the kindest of school teachers and gave me full instructions and attention and I rapidly learned to spell, read & write. I have not much recollection of her person. She had two grown daughters, assistants, and I was cherished & seen to. When not in School, I had my play, a small patch for a Garden & worked assiduously at it having received from my father a present of garden tools for a child. These were brought to me by Maj Popham; and the delight they gave me, being the first present I recollect to have had. The impression has remained indelible. At the time of my stay at Scarsdale I recollect distinctly the occasion of the eclipse of the sun — and one of [the] Miss Dixons tracing the pattern of the well marked shadows on a sheet of paper to work by — the explanation given one of the phenomenon was made plain to me and I have had it often recalled to my recollection since in my astronomical studies and observations.