Page:Autobiography of Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes.djvu/35

Rh I probably remained at Mammy Dixon's about two years — Going home at vacation times. Once I was taken to New York by Mr Morris in his sulky sitting between his legs. And, again, being sent by the stage which passed Mammy Dixon's daily, and thought it a high frolic. The driver was a facetious fellow & had names for his team such as Nailor, [illegible], Jackanapes & Ridder that I used in driving in my make believe stage and mounted on my box & brown sticks for horses. I have forgotten the driver's name. Once we encountered a wicked thunder storm which beat into the front of the stage when he turned the horses & stage round to keep us dry and place the horses as he said as they did not like to face the storm. We remained quiet for ½ hour & then again turned & proceeded our way. He told me that was the way he treated his team and kept himself dry. I think his name was Bill Speers but his actions and sayings made a more lasting impression on me. He deposited me at my father's door and said he had a young lubber to be delivered there. Oh, how I did rejoice to be home and again with my dear father. My vacation soon was ended & black Monday brought with it its trials and tears.

After I left Mrs Dixon's I was transferred to Newark, New Jersey to board with Mrs Clarkson, an estimable & kind lady who had known my mother well, to go to the Academy there kept by Mr. Findley. It was a large school and the Receptacle of all classes. At Mrs Clarkson's I was very happy. She was the kindest of women & withall a lady [illegible] though in reduced circumstances. Here I met with an accident by attempting to climb over a rail fence to reach something that was being offered me, my foot was on an old gate or door half the height of the fence and in my endeavor to reach & get what was handed to me my foot pushed the door from the fence and to prevent falling I seized hold of the top of the fence and the nails entered my right hand and I hung suspended until aid came to my relief & I fell, the nails having torn & left me senseless on the ground. The physicians were called for and the whole neighborhood [was] in an uproar by the exaggerated reports. I was a good deal injured and my right hand terribly lacerated &, apprehensive of lockjaw, my father & sister were summoned. It was some weeks before I was permitted to go out. I finally recovered but the scars have indelibly fixed themselves and my little finger has ever since been crooked.

On leaving home for Newark I was much struck with a remark of my father's a few days before that rain or shine we should go on Monday. So unusual for him as we always had felt that a rainy time extended our holiday. Prior to [illegible] & had been several weeks at Newark, and a few days after arrival I was busily engaged, driving my blank team in one of Archy Gifford's coaches without horses, when Mr Foster passed & said to me, "Well, my boy, have you heard the news?" "No Sir." "Why, your father was married on Wednesday night!" This was the first I had of it, and readily saw the reason why we were sent to school, rain or shine.