The morning had been a bit more hectic than usual, considering the extra people in the house, but Weedy had helped Josh get ready, and after a simple breakfast of berries and cream with biscuits, it was time for the boys to get to school.  Addy had made sure they'd be early, so there would be time for whatever process would be necessary to register Josh for school.  

Weedy had a slate and chalk, and had promised to share with his cousin until Addy and Isiah could get to the mercantile later today to get the younger boy his own, a chore they could do after visiting Speed Guyer.

With everything in order, the small group walked toward school, the early morning air cool, and a light breeze kicking up a bit of dust in the road.  There was the normal bustle out, people getting to work, deliveries being made, but the real traffic wouldn't start for a couple of hours yet.

"There it is!" Weedy declared as they approached the school house.  He nudged Josh gently, then ran ahead of the adults.  "Miss Bowen's real nice, you'll like her!" 

Isaiah was thankful for a normal day. After all the traveling and hustle and bustle of getting settle He knows his ABC’s how to read just a little and he could count. In his opinion that was enough! Did cowboys even need to be able to read ‘n write? He didn’t think so and that’s exactly what he was gonna be when he grew up!  to be able to read ‘n write? He didn’t think so and that’s exactly what he was gonna be when he grew up! 

Josh felt Weedy nudge him and he looked up ahead at the schoolhouse trying his best to take some of that positivity from Weedy. 

"Miss Bowen's real nice, you'll like her!" Weedy told him. He pressed his lips to the side and looked at his cousin. “If you say so.” He laughed a bit nervously and looked at his Pa and Aunt Addy over his shoulder. They sure seemed calm about it all and maybe even excited! He would never understand but he was ever so thankful he knew someone! 

“Do we get ta play outside at lunch?” He asked his cousin.

"Sure, we play all kinds of games at lunch, and even before school," Weedy explained.  "We're just real early today, but other kids'll be getting here soon.  It's the best part of school!"

"It's good that th' boys can read an' write," Addy told her brother, "give 'em more options in life."  And, of course, there was more to education than just reading and writing, there was history, math and whatnot.  "Folks won't think them ignorant."

Not that she was particularly concerned for herself, she was content in life, but she wanted better for Weedy, knowing that he wasn't really going to become a pirate!

They headed up the steps and in the front door of the school where there was a narrow foyer where students could hang coats and leave boots.  Past that was the main room, rows of desks, and the big desk at the head where Miss Bowen was.

"Miss Bowen."  Addy smiled and nodded to the young woman.  "This here's my brother, Isiah, an' his boy, Josh.  Whadda we gotta do ta get him in school?"

Kate put down the book she was looking at and made her way to Addy.  The book was one of those she hoping to replace with the funds from the charity performance that would be held in a few weeks.  Most of the funds raised were going to the repairs the building needing but she was hoping that there would be some left over for equipment as well.

Going up to the group, Kate smiled, "Good morning, Addy."

She turned to Isaiah and Josh, "Nice to meet you both...and to answer Addy's question you've done the most important thing by bringing Josh here.  All I need you to do is to fill in a card with some basic information. There's not much for Josh to do right so perhaps he would like to join the other children outside."

@ [Bongo

@ [MD

The idea of playing at lunch and before school had Josh smiling for the first time on the walk. "That's sounds great." He said as he looked over at his cousin and then the school came into sight and the butterflies hit him hard.  He slowed down walking and made his way by his Pa going to stand beside him.  He felt safest there, not that he didn't feel safe, just unsure.

Isaiah was happy that the town they'd settled in would be able to offer his boy an education, something he didn't get much of.  "He's already got more than I ever had and I'm happy he'll get to continue it." He said to his sister as he followed her into the schoolhouse where suddenly Josh was right beside him where he had been walking by Weedy.  He knew Josh was nervous, and he hoped he wouldn't cause any problems.  When the teacher came into view Isaiah took off his hat and inclined his head to her as she came to join them. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, m'am." Isaiah said as Josh looked up at the kind looking woman and smiled, taking another half step closer to his Pa. 

When Miss. Bowen asked Isaiah to fill out a card, he felt that all too familiar annoyance with himself that he couldn't hardly read or write.  He looked down at Josh. "You go on outside and play.  I'll come see you before I leave." He offered the boy. "I just wanna stay here, Pa." Josh said to him, but Isaiah put his hand on his shoulder, encouraging him towards the door. "Get on out there.  Weedy's already headed that way.  Hurry and catch him." Josh reluctantly ran off and then Isaiah looked at the teacher, holding his hat now by his side.

"Miss. Bowen, I'm sorry but I'm not sure I can fill the card out." He pulled his brow together some in apology and a bit of embarrassment.

Kate smiled. Unfortunately, illiteracy was a common thing but hopefully one day it would be in the past, especially if people like Isaiah and Addy made sure that their children stayed in school until they were at least 12 years old.  The only ones to go any further were usually those who had rich parents or lived in town and could work after school. There were things like scholarships from wealthy benefactors like the one Dobie Jefferson had gotten from the Wentworths.  Dobie was leaving at the end of the school year to go to Helena to pursue a career as a veterinarian.

One other problem was the itinerant nature of most people, especially here in the west.  Moving from town to town in the search for work, disrupted a child's education. However, it looked like this wouldn't be the case here.

Going over to her desk she took out one of the enrolment cards from the bottom drawer, "Don't worry Mister Chappel, I will fill it in for you.  Perhaps, one day if you are willing myself or someone else can help you to learn to write. Just because we are adults, doesn't mean we stop learning."

@ [Bongo

@ [MD

It wasn't lost on Isaiah how pretty the school teacher was, even the young boys had noticed, having overheard Weedy telling Josh how pretty she was.  Josh wasn't quite old enough to be noticing how pretty young ladies were.  Isaiah followed Miss. Bowen over to her desk.

"Thank you, kindly, Miss. Bowen.  Just let me know what information ya need." He said with a small smile and then nodded as she commented that even adults could learn.  Before he could respond Addy was mentioning about classes and teaching the folks in Kalispell that couldn't how to read and write.  He had always wanted to know and had managed to learn a few things from his wife before she passed away, but not enough to get him very far.  "Yes, ma'm, I bet you'd get a good turnout for that." He agreed.

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Josh followed Weedy out to the play yard, glancing over at his Pa a couple of times before he got outside.  "What'dy'a like to play the best?" He asked his cousin as he saw a few other kids showing up.  He tried to take his mind off of his Pa leaving him and he hoped he would keep his word and come and see him before he left.  He was going to try one more time to get him to take him back with him instead of making him come to school.  His Ma had been his teacher before they left home back in Tennessee and that was the only person he ever wanted to be is teacher.  Of course, he wanted to hang out with Weedy but they could do that at home!